Chef Pèpe

Cooking Like a True Italian: Your Favorite Recipes

The Jackie O.

Legend has it that Jackie O. ordered Penne alla Vodka whenever she visited Italian restaurants in America and in Europe, helping make it all the rage in fashion-conscious circles by the mid 70’s. Pepe’s version is to poach large prawns in the heated vodka sauce, then serve over penne and garnish with crispy chopped pancetta and peas creating his famous “JFK”.

Pepe’s Hobo Stew

The delicious stew packed with various items is sure to surprise and excite anyone. Learn how to cook this old-fashioned dish just right, with an extra pinch of Italian flair.

The Truth behind Spaghetti and Meatballs

Q. Could you please tell me where spaghetti and meatballs came from? As far as I can tell, it doesn’t exist anywhere in Italy and none of the Italians I’ve met have even heard of it — at least in the north, I’ve heard Italian-Americans swear that it is a family recipe going back to Italy. Maybe it was a legitimate recipe in the south of Italy in the early 1900’s and got phased out of the popular cuisine between now and then in Italy while it continued here? I thought maybe you would have the answer.

Best regards, Roger G.