One of the most famous Italian dishes in the United States is returning to its Roman roots with an exciting new educational initiative. On December 1, 2026, Rome will welcome the Accademia del Mantecatore, a culinary academy dedicated to preserving and teaching the authentic preparation of fettuccine Alfredo.
The project is promoted by Mario Mozzetti, owner of the historic Alfredo alla Scrofa restaurant, established in 1914. The academy will offer practical courses, masterclasses, and demonstrations focused on traditional ingredients and the art of mantecatura – the technique that transforms pasta, butter, and Parmigiano Reggiano into a wonderfully creamy dish without adding cream.
The story began with Alfredo Di Lelio, who reportedly created the recipe to help his wife Ines recover after childbirth. Its international popularity grew during the 1920s, when Hollywood stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks discovered the dish in Rome and helped introduce it to American audiences.
Over the decades, American interpretations have incorporated cream, chicken, shrimp, and other ingredients, creating a distinctive culinary tradition.
Supported by the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium and endorsed by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), the academy will strengthen gastronomic connections between Italy and America.
The initiative will also feature a cheese education center offering professional tasting courses, alongside a pasta workshop and specialty food shop.
More than a cooking school, the academy celebrates over 110 years of Roman culinary heritage while bringing Italian and American food lovers closer together.
