A lot has changed for Italian Kitchen, 540 W. McDaniel St., since it opened, but one thing has stayed the same: Chef Alessandro De Luca's commitment to sharing authentic Italian cuisine with Springfield. It started as a take-out, catering and reserved party venture, but has since grown to include classes and weekly dinners that showcase Italian cuisine and culture — not to mention a food truck coming April 1.

"I want to give people the opportunity and the chance to realize what real Italian food can taste like and at the same time offer them an authentic experience," De Luca said. "When you come here, you are not in an Italian restaurant. You are in a trattoria, over (in Italy)."