
Member Reviews

Luscious imagery, mouthwatering recipes, and nostalgic memories all wrapped in to one. I have to admit my love for this book might be bias as it transported me back to my upbringing in an Italian-American household in the tri-state area. A mix of new and old world, Petroni pays homage to both old world roots and fascinating new world diaspora cuisine. Petroni chooses the perfect mix of recipes for people of all skill levels. You can see the love that Petroni has for cuisine so clearly in this book.

An absolutely delightful cookbook with heart warming recipes that taste like a warm hug. Growing up this was the food i ate and to see it recreated in a cookbook like this is amazing!
I tried the eggplant recipe and it is to die for!!

I received a copy of this eBook from NetGalley for a honest review.
I like this book with some amazing sounding recipes from a Italian American perspective. The pictures are great and the recipes seem doable.

My mom adores watching Christian Petroni on Food Network, so when I told her I was fortunate enough to read an ARC of his new cookbook, she was, needless to say, a bit jealous (it may already be in my online cart for her Christmas present).
Enough about me, though. This cookbook is the perfect mix of comfort foods, Italian classics, and everything you could possibly want a Christian Petroni cookbook to be.

I am a fan of Italian-American food and this cookbook was a wonderful look into just that. It has many personal moments, anecdotes, family recipes, and is also full of recipes that will have readers ready to run to the kitchen. I will absolutely be digging in and making at least half the recipes in this book. It seemed to be a great collaboration between more traditional Italian cooking and the Americanized versions so popularized in the US. Yum! Well-organized and beautifully accompanied by photos, which is a cookbook must for me.

Parm to Table is a fantastic collection of Italian American recipes. These are not AUTHENTIC Italian recipes specifically, having an American twist on many classics. As an American who has always enjoyed Italian cuisine, I really enjoyed this cookbook.

Parm to Table is an absolute treasure for anyone who loves bold, comforting Italian food with heart. Christian Petroni brings not only incredible recipes to the table, but also a personality that makes you feel like you’re cooking with a friend who just gets it.
Every page of this cookbook is packed with flavor, from rich sauces to creative takes on classic favorites—and the instructions are approachable, even for home cooks who aren’t classically trained. The photography is stunning, and the energy of the book is infectious. You can tell these recipes are meant to be shared, savored, and celebrated.
The standout for me? The chicken parm, holy smokes, hands down one of the best I’ve ever made. But really, every dish feels like a warm hug straight from the kitchen.
5 glowing stars for this one. Whether you’re hosting a big Sunday dinner or just craving something cozy midweek, Parm to Table delivers every time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this wonderful cookbook in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful cookbook, perfect for anyone who craves good Italian food or wants to learn more about it. Chef Petroni has a unique point of view, because he grew up in New Jersey, where his parents owned a deli, so he was immersed in Italian American food favorites. But every summer, his family would spend their vacation with family in Italy, where he was able to sample the rich food culture there. So -- the best of both worlds combine in this book that is filled with accessible, easy to make recipes from appetizers to condiments and sauces, to salads, soups and entrees. Great desserts, too. This is the kind of cookbook that makes you want to pick up the phone and invite your whole family over on Sunday afternoon for a big Italian meal.

Now this is a cookbook! I have really begun to immerse myself in Italian cuisine (mostly by eating it, haha) but I really have wanted to learn how to make my own with tried and true recipes, but did not know where to start. Parm to Table by Christian Petroni is everything I want in an Italian-American cookbook. It is bold, comforting, full of heart, and absolutely packed with flavor. From the first flip through, I was hooked by the stunning photos, warm storytelling, and recipes that make me want to try every single one.
This isn’t just a collection of delicious meals, but a love letter to Italian-American tradition. Petroni brings his Bronx swagger and Ponza soul into every recipe, giving us unfussy, flavor forward food that’s nostalgic, accessible, and deeply personal. His voice comes through on every page; he is funny, honest, and passionate and makes it feel like you’re cooking alongside a friend (who just happens to be a Food Network star).
The recipes are easy to follow, made with stuff I mostly already had in my pantry, and gave me restaurant quality results in my own kitchen. Plus, the tips sprinkled throughout are so helpful!
There’s so much variety here: family style classics, weeknight go tos, Ponza inspired dishes, and even sweets. I love that it’s both a cookbook and a peek into Christian’s life and heritage. It reads like a warm hug from Nonna, with a splash of red sauce and a glass of wine.
If you love Italian food, comfort food, or just want to cook meals that make people happy, this is a great cookbook. I can’t wait to get the physical copy and keep cooking my way through it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Christian Petroni, and William Morrow for the eARC of this book.

I spent a few years living in New York, and most of my friends there were Italian—so I ended up falling in love with a whole world of recipes I didn’t grow up eating. This cookbook instantly felt like home. It’s totally for the Italians in the north! As soon as I opened it, I kept flipping through and seeing recipes that my friends used to cook for me. I got so excited knowing I’d finally be able to return the favor.
Christian made the recipes super accessible and easy to follow, which I really appreciated. The storytelling throughout—between Italy and New York—was really enjoyable too. It added context without being too much (some cookbooks go overboard on stories and barely give you recipes or pictures!). Speaking of pictures, I loved that every recipe has a photo. You know exactly what you’re making and what it’s supposed to look like.
I also liked that the book focuses mostly on the Americanized versions of Italian recipes that so many of us know and love—but then takes a turn toward Ponza and shares more traditional dishes from there too. It gives you the full Italian-American experience in one book.
I’ve only made two recipes so far, but both turned out great and I’m looking forward to making more soon! Big thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow | Harvest for the e-copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Now this is a cookbook! The pictures are beautiful and the recipes feel like New Jersey, aka home. I’m so excited to try more of these out and have the physical copy on my shelves!

Christian Petroni’s cookbook is far more than a collection of recipes - it is a heartfelt celebration of Italian-American cuisine, brimming with warmth, nostalgia, and bold, comforting flavors. As you turn the pages, Petroni invites you into his home, sharing stories that evoke the experience of growing up surrounded by tradition, love, and good food. For anyone with Italian-American roots, this book will feel like a cherished piece of home.
The photographs are stunning - capturing not only the dishes but also the vibrant culture behind them. They transport you to bustling neighborhoods, cozy kitchens, and lively family dinners. It’s rare to find a cookbook that so deeply connects you to the community behind its recipes.
I tried several dishes, and each was both easy to follow and deeply satisfying. The whole wheat cavatelli with sausage ragu was a standout - simple to prepare yet rich with flavor. And Mrs. Ferri’s Nut Cookies? Pure nostalgia. They instantly transported me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. Additionally, a helpful tip in that recipe finally resolved a crust-making issue I had struggled with for years, making baking even more enjoyable.
If you’re looking for an Italian-American cookbook that offers more than just food - one filled with love, tradition, and deliciousness - this is it. Christian Petroni has created something truly special, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Parm to Table by Christian Petroni is hands-down my new favorite Italian cookbook, and as a St. Louis native with a serious Italian food obsession (thanks to my husband’s lasagna obsession and our city’s legendary “Hill” neighborhood), that’s saying something. This book is like a big, warm hug from an Italian nonna, mixed with a Bronx-born chef’s swagger and a sprinkle of Food Network flair. It’s fun, it’s unfussy, and it’s packed with recipes that’ll have you cooking like you grew up in an Italian kitchen.
Christian Petroni, a chef who cut his teeth in his uncle’s Italian restaurant and spent summers soaking up old-world vibes on the coast of Naples, brings all that heritage to the table. His debut cookbook, Parm to Table, is a delicious mash-up of Italian-American classics and Ponza-inspired dishes that feel like they’re straight out of your family’s Sunday supper. With over 70 recipes, this book covers everything from 8-Hour Marinara Sauce and Neapolitan Eggplant Parmigiana to weeknight lifesavers like My Babe’s Sausage & Peppers and crowd-pleasers like Fresh Mozzarella Sticks. There’s even a chapter for dolci (sweets!) to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Many things make this book appealing. For starters, it’s organized in a way that just makes sense: Italian-American Classics, Family-Style Meals, Weeknight Go-To’s, Ponza-inspired dishes, plus sections for soups, braises, heros (sandwiches), and sauces. Whether you’re craving a cozy Lasagna “Calabrese Influence” or a quick Potato Frittata, there’s something for every mood. The ingredients are accessible—think stuff you can grab at any grocery store or have in your pantry—and the recipes lean hard into olive oil for that rich, soul-satisfying flavor.
Additionally, Christian’s personality shines through with funny little comments sprinkled throughout, making you feel like you’re cooking with a buddy. The lush photography is a feast for the eyes (though I wouldn’t mind a few more pics for us visual learners). You also get a peek into Christian’s life—his Bronx roots, his family, and how he went from a kid in the kitchen to a Food Network star. It’s like a memoir and a cookbook rolled into one, and it makes every recipe feel personal.
For beginners who want to whip up authentic Italian dinners for two, this book is a godsend. The instructions are clear, the equipment is stuff you probably already own, and Christian even throws in tips for nailing the best flavors (like which staples to keep on hand). It’s perfect for anyone who loves Italian food but doesn’t want to deal with pretentious recipes or hard-to-find ingredients. I’m already planning to cook my way through this one, from Spaghetti Vongole to Zia Gisella’s Braised Calamari Pasta.
If you’re an Italian food lover, a beginner cook, or just someone who wants to bring a little Bronx-Italian magic to your kitchen, Parm to Table is a must. It’s fun, it’s flavorful, and it’s bound to become your go-to for cozy, crowd-pleasing meals. Grab a copy, pour some wine, and get cooking—you won’t regret it!
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced, digital copy, and exchange for an honest review.

Petroni's cookbook is filled with recipes that lovers of Italian food will recognize and those that will conjure up childhood memories for those who grew up in Italian families. The book is a love letter to Italian-American heritage, culture, and cuisine.

This is a fun cookbook filled with classic comfort food. The recipes use accessible ingredients (most available at a range of price points) to deliver deep, rich, and satisfying flavors, thanks in large part to a generous use of olive oil.
Here’s what I've made so far:
8-Hour Marinara Sauce: Mine really hit its stride more around the 12- to 16-hour mark, but the result was absolutely delicious, rich and spicy, thanks to a generous amount of black pepper, and incredibly flavorful after that slow, 4-hour caramelization of the onions.
Spaghetti Aglio Olio: The photo is honest: there’s a puddle of lemony, peppery olive oil left behind after making this. I saved it and used it for some delicious focaccia.
Whole Wheat Cavatelli: Mine wasn’t the prettiest, but fun to make, especially with small hands helping. I wasn’t expecting a whole wheat noodle recipe in this cookbook, but it delivered exactly as promised: chewy, earthy, and perfect with the marinara.
Pop’s Pickled Mushrooms: I was hesitant (very worried they’d be slimy), but the texture was great, and the flavor turned out to be surprisingly complex.
My Babe’s Sausage and Peppers: I used vegan sausage. As promised, it’s a simple dish, but once again, the marinara sauce made it shine.
Overall, Parm to Table is a great mix of playful, unfussy cooking and seriously satisfying results.
Thanks to Harvest and NetGalley for providing an advance reading copy.

I really liked reading through this - my kids are always up for pasta so I knew there would be a lot of good options in here. 2 eggplant parm recipes? Yes please. It really reads like a family cookbook, which I like. I pulled a bunch of recipes that I am going to make and I'll post some of them soon, also. But which eggplant parm to start with? Also, there is shrimp parm. amazing. Looking forward to pub date in September. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions my own.

Wow, this truly was an amazing Cookbook. Not only did it have delicious recipes (my fave was the Baked Ziti), it also including the staples you'd need specifically to make sure you get the best tasting outcome. I loved that it included tons of pictures of the food (which looked mouth watering) but also a backstory of Christian and his family! The funny comments throughout the book and in the recipes, were so hilarious! I found those touches to be truly amazing and it made this cookbook even better. Most receipes I could make with equipment I already owned. I felt like a fancy Italian restaurant every night when I made these for me and my son. My son is a huge fan of the garlic bread, marinara, chicken Parm and the ranch dressing from these recipes! I love that they're truly delicious with amazing flavors, but also storable for leftovers. The marinara I made a big batch and froze half then refridgerated the other half to use throughout the week. I'm obsessed with all of these recipes! We're trying the Lemon Spaghetti tomorrow night! Thanks for giving me a little slice of Italian in my kitchen and dining room!
I received this cookbook from NetGalley and Harvest to read/cook/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this cookbook and making several of the recipes.

I love so many things about this book. I've already made several of the recipes and they've become family favorites. The pictures throughout make me want to try everything and Christian Petroni's personality comes out on every page. I can't wait to add this one to my cookbook collection as a really solid Italian go-to.

This one starts with the author's bio about him growing up and spending time in southern Italy and leading up to how he ended up as a restaurant chef...The photography was amazing and the recipes were full of familiar comfort foods and so much more. There were many recipes that I would try and most had pictures of what it should like like...there were also many recipes I would not try but only because I don't eat seafood and I am not the most adventurous eater...But I will say this is probably a cookbook I will go out and buy...it had enough in it to warrant spending the time, energy, and money.

Obsessed. I’ve been a fan of Christian since Food Network Star and always am on the list for his Goldbelly page which never seems to refresh! Given I can’t buy his garlic bread I’m excited to try to cook my own and all of his other recipes. None of them look bad and all of them look like they’ll give me a heart attack. I love the tips and tricks he peppers through out the book and how it really feels like the food means something to him. I also love when a chef tells you what brands to buy (in this case tomatoes and olive oil) as I feel like that has a huge impact on the ultimate dish.