What’s up my Eaters! I am so glad to be back at it with you again this week. I hope you were able to take some of last week’s tips and implement them into your weekend festivities. When I was thinking about this week’s article, the only thing that kept coming to me was the notion of “comfort food”. There were definitely a few restaurants that came to mind. Unfortunately, none of them seemed like the appropriate subject. Then, suddenly, a recent experience came to mind. I knew that this week’s Eating Chambers was going to be about Pasta Milani, a handcrafted artisan pasta maker out of Braselton, Georgia.
The exact timing is escaping me but sometime between 2022 and 2023 I began following Pasta Milani on Instagram. I was motivated to follow them at the time because they were a mobile food business, just like Pink’s Barbecue. I especially liked the fact that they sold their products fresh- frozen at farmer’s markets and that they were based in Metro Atlanta. More similarities between them and Pink’s Barbecue. During this time, it began to appear as if every time I went on to Instagram, Pasta Milani’s business was growing exponentially. I had to reach out to them. I wanted to try their pasta, and I knew the owner could probably teach me a few things. Eventually, I sent them a direct message. Tammy, the owner, immediately responded.
As a result of that conversation, two things happened. Tammy shared some business pointers with me. I also made my way to Grant Park Farmer’s Market, in Atlanta, to pick up some of her delicious pasta and sauces. They were surreal moments. I was excited to finally be engaging this brand that I had become vested in.
When I think about comfort food, Italian cuisine and pasta are always the first things that come to mind after Jamaican food and barbecue. When prepared properly, there are few foods that are as beautiful to look at, simply flavorful, satiating, and reminiscent of home as a bowl or plate of pasta.
My Pasta Milani experience up until this point was off to a fantastic start. Tammy, the owner, was so humble and willing to share with and help me. Emily, her market representative, made me feel like I was visiting a cool friend or sister. She was very informative and truly wanted to help me choose the products that were best for me at that moment. I was also impressed by the number of products they offered.
I left the market with quite the selection of Pasta Milani. I tried their Goat Cheese Ravioli, Tagliatelle, and gluten free pastas. I also went home with their Pecorino, Vodka, and Arrabbiata sauces. I cooked everything as they suggested. It was all delicious. I also used some pecorino sauce as braising liquid for a chicken dish. When the chicken was tender, I topped it with more of the sauce and fresh herbs. I served that atop a bed of rice. It was delicious too.
As chefs we must be very selective about the products and producers we use. However, occasionally, we stumble upon something that is special. Eaters!! Pasta Milani is one of these special products. I am absolutely infatuated with this company for multiple reasons.
The customer service is off the charts good. The food is delicious. You can tell it is hand crafted. You can taste the freshness in both the pasta and the sauces. Those are the foundational truths of Pasta Milani, in my opinion.
What truly sets Pasta Milani apart is the convenience they offer. The pasta cooks so fast. Like, less than five minutes fast. I can’t say that I will never use boxed again but gone are the days when I am relegated to a world of 15-minute pasta. Pasta Milani literally made my barbecue look and taste better. Tammy’s pasta took an already good product and elevated it. Pasta Milani makes products that can stand by themselves but will also elevate your creations. Lastly, the thing that makes Pasta Milani an absolute showstopper to me is all about nostalgia. When I was 14 my mom and I went to Rome, Italy. We saw the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, toured the Vatican. However, when I reminisce about my time in Rome, what I remember most is a small restaurant my mom and I stumbled into one evening after a long day of being tourist. It was like a scene from a movie. As we waited for our food, we noticed a group of guys dressed in suits at the back of the restaurant. They didn’t like the attention they were getting so they closed the curtains. Our food came. I ordered pasta with a braised oxtail meat sauce. Then and now it was the best pasta I have ever eaten. As I ate, I remember thinking, “someone’s nonna must be back there making this pasta”. I have never forgotten that moment with my mom and that pasta in Rome. Pasta Milani was inspired by Tammy’s nonna or grandma. When I ate it for the first time, it took me right back to that restaurant in Rome. I wondered if it was Tammy’s nonna that was making pasta that night.
Whether you are craving pasta, looking for something to help elevate your dishes, or wanting to relive that Italian vacation you took years ago, add Pasta Milani to your arsenal. You will not be disappointed. You can find it in the freezer at The Hummingbird Wine Bar @ 240 Glynn Street in Fayetteville. You can also go to https://pastamilani.com/order/ or @PastaMilani on Instagram.
Also remember to stop by and see me or one of my team members at Pink’s Barbecue every Saturday at the Peachtree City Farmer’s Market.
