Culture, Cooking and Class - A Recipe for Success with Becoming Italian Today

Customers racing through the doors at on Tuesday evenings are not necessarily making the traditional bread and milk run.

The local market has teamed up with Becoming Italian Today, a family-run business offering traditional Italian cooking classes and weekly demonstrations, free of charge.

Two years have passed since Kelly Thomas, owner and proprietor of Becoming Italian Today, a cultural themed business based on traditional Italian cuisine and customs, brought her family and company to the table at Belmont Market.

 “Kelly was genuine. She had a business concept that matched what we at Belmont have always strived for – offering high quality products based on community needs,”explained Jack Siravo, owner of Belmont Market. “I wanted to reach out to the community and add a social aspect to the daily shopping experience and Kelly's idea fit.”

Thomas, who had worked for the Market when she was a teen, wasn't random in her choice of venues. “I felt that Belmont was most aligned with the concept I was developing for Becoming Italian Today. I wanted a market where the customers enjoyed a unique, personalized experience. I wanted them to know what they were getting.”

The Becoming Italian Today cooking classes focus on the family, kitchen table and healthy eating. All products used in preparing the Tuesday evening meals are obtained in the store, making it easy for those in attendance to find everything necessary to recreate the meal at home.

Holding true to “la famiglia,” all members of the Thomas family are present and working. Meals and classes are prepared by Bertha Teresa Bertrone Thomas who holds her place at the helm of the Thomas kitchen, as well. Bertha started preparing meals and teaching more than 15 years ago at the suggestion of her brother who employed her talents to entertain co-workers.

Husband and patriarch, Charles Thomas is supportive of his daughter's business plan, didn't know what he was getting himself into. Not only on hand to greet guests, entertain and pass his wife's wares to the hungry attendees, Thomas is now busy at work preparing Rustic Italian Sausage three nights a week for sale in Belmont's meat department. Another suggestion of his daughter, turned entrepreneur, the family's home recipe was embraced by patrons and a new branch of the business took form.

The Tuesday evening classes are video recorded by sibling Greg Thomas, who edits and produces them for sale online.

“All facets of the business and family involvement grew organically from the business plan,” interjected Kelly. “We are growing together and are working now on importing products directly from Italy for sale in the store.”

 “It's been wonderful,” said Siravo. “It was a good idea. I stand by it today.”

Becoming Italian Today cooking classes are offered every Tuesday evening at Belmont Market at 6:00 p.m. Additional paid classes, videos and recipes are available online at BecomingItalianToday.com.

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