(Credits: Netflix)

The recently released Netflix film, Nonnas, is a recipe forged from togetherness and generational love. It revolves around Joe, who, after losing his mother, begins an Italian restaurant where the food is cooked by Italian grandmothers. This compelling story found a special place in the hearts of the audience as it delved into the themes of love, family and grief processed through the lens of food and cooking. 

Starring Vince Vaughn, this film is based on the true story of the restaurant Enoteca Maria, located in Staten Island, New York. The real-life Joe Scaravella opened the restaurant in 2007 as an ode to his late grandmother and mother, naming the establishment after the latter. What began as an Italian restaurant has transformed over the years, with grandmothers from all over the world coming to share their recipes. 

It all began when Scaravella unfortunately lost his grandparents, parents, and sister in quick succession. Reeling from the losses, he found himself deep in depression. Initially, he planned to buy a waterfront property with his inherited money, which led him to Staten Island and finding a house near the ferry terminal. However, he soon found an empty storefront plot, which he bought to open the restaurant.

As captured by the film as well, Scaravella worked two jobs to bring the restaurant to life. In remembrance of his grandmother, he looked for actual grandmothers to join him in his journey and make the food. He believed that these recipes, which have been passed down through generations, do not just create delicious food, but also build on upholding culture. 

To this effect, he put out an ad for grandmothers who could come and cook in the restaurant. People from across the globe responded positively, leading to the restaurant’s rotating roster of chefs. The restaurant now even offers free classes where people can learn about these recipes from these grandmother chefs.

The three grandmothers who were the first line of cooks at the restaurant were featured in Scaravella’s cookbook, Nonna’s House, and they also inspired the fictionalised versions of the grandmothers in the film. Carmelina Pica was a worker in a sewing factory, while also making appetisers for an Italian market on the Island. Adelina Orazzo revitalised her life with a new purpose when her niece spotted the ad, and Teresa Scalici, who would often come to the restaurant carrying her recipe book given to her by her grandmother.

Scaravella has also shared that everything was not always merry in the kitchen. As Nonnas shows, two of the grandmothers, Adelina and Teresa, were not fond of each other, leading to increased competitiveness between them. The grandmothers were also used to traditional ways of cooking, which would sometimes misalign with the health code. The restaurant is still open for business, but in true old-school fashion, reservations are only allowed through phone calls.