In this episode of the Italian American Podcast, John, Pat, and Marcella are joined by chef Matthew Cutolo for a lively conversation about Italian American food, family, and tradition. From sauce season and classic Jersey tomato varieties like Rutgers to Sunday dinners and family routines, they reflect on the customs that have connected Italian American families for generations.

Matthew is the third-generation chef at Brooklyn’s historic Gargiulo’s Restaurant, an Italian American institution whose roots stretch back to 1907. He discusses the challenges of balancing tradition with modernity, preserving family recipes and hospitality, and keeping a century-old business thriving as neighborhoods, customers, and family celebrations continue to change.

The conversation explores why heirloom restaurants like Gargiulo’s are more than simply places to eat: they are living repositories of Italian American identity, hospitality, and shared memory. From changing neighborhoods and social media to sauce season and Sunday dinner, the episode celebrates the families keeping Italian American traditions alive while finding new ways to carry them into the future.

HIS SOCIALS:
Insta: @matthewcutolo
Youtube: @MatthewCutolo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chefmatthewcutolo/
TikTok: @matthewcutolo

HIS WEBSITE:
GARGIULIO’S SOCIALS
Instagram: @gargiulosrestaurant
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GargiulosNY/

GARGIULIO’S WEBSITE:

Home

 

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE ON PATREON
https://www.patreon.com/italianamericanpodcast/posts/more-than-at-iap-170283225?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

HOSTED BY:
John Viola
Patrick O’Boyle
Marcella Martin

SPECIAL GUEST:
Matthew Cutolo

PRODUCED BY:
Nicholas Calvello-Macchia