Homemade Pasta + EVOO + People = Love

The LAHH Pasta Lab was born out of the experience of eating together as a family around the table. Guido and Nancy, co-founders of LAHH, wanted to make the experience of family something people with disabilities could have more of. In speaking with Guido’s father in Milan, Italy, Giovanni said,  “The best food is the simplest food. Through preparing food for the other, we express our love for them. Being around the table is the most joyful moment and the reason why we prepare food.” 

From this, the Culinary Workforce Development (CWD) Program, started to take shape. The purpose of the program is to a be career-focused, free training for individuals with disabilities and barriers for employment in the foodservice industry and working to place each person at an employment partner in a paid position.  The training program will follow an industry standard culinary curriculum and will last between 4 weeks and 12 weeks.

Additionally, the purpose of CWD is to welcome and embrace each person, as is expressed in Italian, ‘accoglienza’ (ac·co·glièn·za).  Accoglienza is to embrace the other with all their humanity, diversity, uniqueness, simply, to embrace and welcome all of the other.  This can mean valorize their talents, listen to their needs and allow their needs to inform the criteria used for decision making, and to start a journey together with food, their career, and a meal together around the table.

Along with accoglienza and eating together, we have recognized the value of Radical Hospitality and learning from Heart Forward LA. Radical Hospitality is a position of the heart, a posture that is horizontal and requires we come alongside people as human beings. We will practice this in our programming, innovation, and workplace culture.

A unique characteristic of the CWD, is our use of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, harvested the previous Fall. We take the olives to the olive mill within 48 hours of being picked from the tree. The health benefits of extra virgin olive oil, such as being rich in antioxidants, are well regarded by fitness experts and nutritionists. There are more than 20 types of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant, in EVOO, which is a category of plant-based chemical compounds that help to protect your heart and reduce inflammation throughout your body.

The taste and how EVOO enhances the food on the plate is what really did it for us. When we looked at the Italian foods that you can make fresh, they are easy to make, low-cost and healthy, EVOO is the simplest way to boost the dish and your personal health. Our favorite way is cooking fresh pasta, any type or shape, draining well, put the cooked pasta on your plate, dress with EVOO, and finish with grated parmesan cheese.

Get in touch to join us!