Chef Dean Zanella Reopens TUTORE in West Town this May

TUTORE, an Italian-centric cooking school, will reopen its doors on May 14 at 1629 W. Grand Avenue with the ongoing mission: to get Chicagoans back into their own kitchens. Founded by industry veteran Dean Zanella, the school’s move to West Town marks an evolution in mentorship-driven instruction designed to empower students to recreate the experience at home.

To accommodate a growing community of culinary enthusiasts, TUTORE is expanding its operations. Previously open Thursday through Sunday, the school will now offer classes Wednesday through Sunday, providing more opportunities for hands-on learning throughout the week. The location offers an upgraded environment where Zanella’s one-on-one guidance connects professional kitchen techniques with the reality of everyday home cooking.

“Our goal has always been to make Italian cooking approachable and fun,” says Zanella. “I want people to attend a class, master the technique, and then feel confident enough to invite their friends over for dinner. We encourage our students to keep the conversation going and ask us questions even after the class ends.”

TUTORE will continue to offer its signature classes like Pasta 101, Pizza Making, and the immersive “Sunday at Nonna’s,” a four-hour technical blueprint for traditional Sunday gravy and braciola.

To check out the full schedule of Tutore’s classes and to register, please visit www.tutorecookingschool.com. For more information and to stay up to date on Tutore’s upcoming classes, check out their Instagram page @tutorecookingschool.