When Touch of Italy owner Bob Ciprietti took over the former Bella Coast Italian Kitchen & Market on Concord Pike last week, the Sussex County restaurateur came with some secret weapons. He brought in culinary consultant Ciro Verdi, a longtime New York City chef/restaurateur whose pizza has been praised by celebrity chef Bobby Flay and featured often on the Food Network. Verdi is overseeing all dishes on the menu.

Master cheesemonger Bill Wilson, who worked at several beach restaurants and once owned Beautiful Foods, a Rehoboth Beach gourmet store, will be manning the deli and pastry area. Wilson also is hosting upcoming cooking classes including one in early October that will show students how to make mozzarella.