Joan Autry, Tutti a Tavola's Founder and Instructor, has been cooking since she was ten years old. She got her first job in a professional kitchen when she was fourteen! Family dinners have always been a special part of her life and she loves to share that experience with everyone she meets. 

Joan studied for two years under Culinary Institute of America graduates, as well as two head chefs (The Barking Frog-Woodinvill and Artemis Cafe-Capitol Hill). She has a passion for fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and simple recipes that highlight food's natural flavor. 

Joan also sold cooking tools for four years with The Pampered Chef and is experienced in presenting food and cooking techniques with humor, solid knowledge and experience.

Joan travels regularly to Italy, conducting culinary tours, meeting other home chefs and learning Italian cookery.  Like many Americans, she loves Italian food and culture and wants to share it with others here in the States.

In July of 2012, she will be joining several friends to open Brew- a coffee house and meeting space by day and fun and funky wine and beer tasting joint at night.  Brew will feature mostly local wines and beers, crafted right in our backyard, and delicious food to bring out their best flavor!

Whether it's a cooking class, a catered evening or stopping by for a wine tasting and a small nibble at Brew, you will always receive a warm welcome and good food from her bella cucina!