James Beard Award-winning chef/restaurateur and chef of Cellaio, an Italian steakhouse at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, New York, celebrates the art of cooking for love in his new cookbook, Peace, Love, and Pasta: Simple and Elegant Recipes from a Chef’s Home Kitchen (Abrams; ISBN: 1419747363; $35.00).
Peace, Love, and Pasta, Scott’s fourth and most personal and accessible cookbook to date, delves into the evolution of how his cooking has changed throughout his career, and how his connection to food has strengthened as a result of his deep relationship with his family. The book showcases the foods Scott grew up with and those he makes for his loved ones today, offering restaurant-quality meals that emphasize the beauty of simple, fresh and flavorful Italian dishes. It also includes authentic Turkish recipes as an homage to his wife, Mel’s, heritage and the meals that are a staple in their home, with stories about his life growing up in New England with Southern Italian roots.
Celebrity Chef Scott Conant Makes a Name in NYC
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Conant led the kitchens of several famed Italian restaurants before striking off to build his own brand and define his style of elevated yet approachable Italian-inspired cooking.
Conant officially put his name on the map when he opened the beloved restaurant L’Impero in 2002, which garnered a three-star review from The New York Times and was recognized as the “Best New Restaurant” by the James Beard Foundation. Following the success of L’Impero, Conant opened Alto, an elegant Italian restaurant in midtown Manhattan, to great acclaim, and in 2004 was named a “Best New Chef” by Food & Wine.
Always looking to raise the bar, Conant eventually developed his own vision of sophisticated, savory Italian, creating signature culinary experiences characterized by thoughtful hospitality and soulful cuisine. Today, his restaurant portfolio includes Mora Italian, a modern osteria in Phoenix, Arizona, The Americano, an Italian-American dining destination in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Cellaio, an Italian steakhouse at Resorts World Catskills.
Cellaio Strikes a Chord with Foodies in the Catskills
Conant’s signature steakhouse Cellaio is the centerpiece of fine dining at Resorts World Catskills. The perfect place to entertain clients, celebrate with friends and family, or enjoy a romantic dinner while relaxing in the casino resort, Cellaio offers a broad menu of steaks, antipasti, and house-made pasta. The restaurant features a seasonal raw bar and fresh seafood to complement Conant’s soulful and refined dishes.
Last month, Conant returned to Cellaio to promote the launch of his newest book, Peace, Love, and Pasta, treating resort guests to a personalized signing at the RW Epicenter and a curated dinner of dishes from the cookbook for VIP players.
When visiting Resorts World Catskills, guests can enjoy all the resort has to offer, including Las Vegas-style gaming, a Sportsbook, and even the nearby Kartrite Hotel and Indoor Waterpark, which offers family fun within walking distance of Resorts World’s 21-and-over activities.
Recipes for the Family to Enjoy
Families who enjoy the menu at Cellaio are sure to love the dishes they can prepare in their own kitchens from Peace, Love, and Pasta. Meals cooked from simple, fresh ingredients were staples of Conant’s childhood in a New England family with roots in Southern Italy. From his grandparents’ garden to the dinner table, he learned early on to appreciate the nuances of different flavors and ingredients and the strong connection between food and family.
Previously living a life continuously on the road, during the pandemic Scott embraced the opportunity to be at home and cook with (and for) his family every day. This change affected the direction of Peace, Love, and Pasta which is now a celebration of the art of cooking for love. Recipes from Peace, Love, and Pasta include a guide to handmade pastas such as Scott’s famed signature Pasta Pomodoro made with fresh basil and tomatoes, butter, and olive oil, dishes for the whole family inspired by Scott’s daughters, and a detour to Turkish home cooking predicated on the dishes Scott’s wife and her family’s grew up eating.
The Peace, Love, and Pasta book also includes recipes for breakfast, soups, sides, salads, antipasti, and sweets.
Scott Conant: Food Network Favorite
In addition to creating exemplary culinary experiences across the country, Conant has published three cookbooks, including the acclaimed Bold Italian. He has also appeared on several Food Network shows throughout the years, becoming a fan favorite as both a guest host, a star, and a judge on Chopped since 2009. Conant also hosts the network’s spin-off, Chopped Sweets, and frequently co-hosts Beat Bobby Flay.
Visit Cellaio at Resorts World Catskills for the ultimate fine dining experience away from New York City.