The first time Marcellino Verzino cooked at the James Beard House in New York City was in 1998, long before he and his wife moved to Arizona to open a fine-dining Italian restaurant. Nearly two decades later, he is preparing for his second appearance at the prestigious brownstone once owned by culinary legend James Beard. Verzino, owner of Marcellino’s Ristorante in Scottsdale, will cook a “Heritage” dinner at the James Beard House on Oct. 14. Can't make it? The same menu will be served at a special dinner on Nov. 14 at the Old Town restaurant.

In addition, Verzino will teach monthly cooking classes at his eatery September through December. “If I could share my cuisine with the whole world, I would. That’s how passionate I am about my Italian cuisine," he said.
Known for its hand-crafted pasta, the original Marcellino’s Ristorante opened on Northern Avenue in Phoenix in 2003, and moved to larger digs in Scottsdale in 2010.