Ricotta Gnocchi & Brown Butter Bliss: Italian Comfort Featuring Chef Joe Sasto

Joe Sasto brings his signature creativity and Italian roots to the Discovery Kitchen in a demo that’s all about elegance, comfort, and technique. In this session, he’ll show you how to make Ricotta Gnocchi—pillowy, delicate dumplings that come together with ease—paired with a luxurious Brown Butter alla Gricia sauce. Starting with fresh, creamy ricotta and a light hand on the dough, Joe shares his secrets for achieving gnocchi that are tender yet structured, enriched with Parmigiano Reggiano for depth and savoriness. Then, he layers flavor with crispy Fra' Mani guanciale, nutty browned butter, and the sharp, salty bite of Pecorino Romano, creating a sauce that’s as rich as it is balanced. To finish, Joe adds a playful touch by topping the dish with his signature cacio e pepe puffed pasta chips—a unique twist that elevates the classic with texture and flair.

Along the way, Joe offers practical tips for mastering Italian fundamentals, from shaping gnocchi to mastering a silky sauce, so you can bring restaurant-quality results to your own kitchen. This is a dish that celebrates simplicity, indulgence, and the joy of cooking—Italian soul food at its finest.

❄️

At Discovery Kitchen, California culinary techniques meet specialty food innovation as local chefs remix Winter FancyFaire* exhibitor products into delectable creations, live onstage. Head to Discovery Point (Booth 4631) to grab a seat and taste the magic of specialty foods.

❄️

Joe Sasto is a Chicago-based celebrity chef and the creator of Tantos, the first-ever & original pasta chip. He found his love for cooking and appetite for Italian classics as a child at his mother's side, and it was at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Quince in San Francisco that his passion for pasta truly began. With more than half a billion likes and countless viral social media videos, Sasto has become a recurring judge and chef personality across multiple shows on the Food Network such Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions, Guy's Grocery Games, and Chopped, as well as Bravo's Top Chef and Top Chef All-stars.