After seven years with LaGemma Fine Italian Pastries, chef Roberta Campani has decided to move her family back to her native Italy. As a way of saying goodbye to her many friends and customers, Campani is hosting a series of Sunday pop-up dinners and brunches at San Juan Bistro from now until the end of July.

“This is really a gesture to say thank you to the many wonderful people I’ve met here in Wilmington and give them a taste of our home-style cooking,” Campani said.

Campani is certainly known for her mastery of Italian breads and pastries, but many may not be aware that both she and her husband Jim Gannon are trained chefs. Jim will be working on each of the events with Roberta.

“This is really the first chance I’ve had to cook for the public with my husband since we’ve been in Wilmington,” said Campani.

Campani and Gannon’s most recent dinner featured a mixed seafood salad, a spinach, strawberry and goat cheese salad, Tuscan pork ribs with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and a chocolate espresso torte.

The next event will be a brunch at San Juan Bistro on Sunday, June 28. Campani is still working on the menu, but says guests can expect some southern favorites with an Italian twist. Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with cocktails such as mimosas, bloody Marys and Spritz, an Italian cocktail made with prosecco and Campari.

For full details on upcoming pop-ups, see Campani’s Facebook page: Pop-up Dinners with Roberta.

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