Joanne Kelly & Nicoletta Grippo

Teaches at La Scuola at Eataly Flatiron

Joanne Kelly aka Brookleena is Eataly NYC Eccellenze Italiane Ambassador, Resident Tour Guide and Store Historian.  Brooklyn born and bred, Joanne has been with Eataly NYC since we opened in 2010.  She is passionate about all things “Eatalian” and loves to share her knowledge with guests.  You will learn “How to Eataly”, taste delicious bites along the way, and most of all, have fun!  By the end of the tour, you will be an “Eatalian” too!

Nicoletta Grippo is originally from Vancouver, British Columbia or, as she would say, British Calabria. She is the first born in a traditional yet unconventional family of nine children. While she grew up in the kitchen, it wasn't until the age of 19 that Nicoletta accidentally found herself in a professional kitchen setting when she opened her first gelateria and pastry shop. There, she fell in love with the culinary world, left college, and immersed herself in it, spending the next 8 years traveling the world and teaching culinary classes. More recently, she had her dreams come true when she opened Caramello in Brooklyn, NY which she has since sold to pursue new goals. Nicoletta speaks many languages, 4 fluently. When she's not in the kitchen, she spends her days surfing, big game fishing, and traveling. What makes Nicoletta “Eatalian”? All her greatest memories in life take place either in the kitchen or at the table, sharing meals with people from all walks of life and all over the world. According to Nicoletta, “food is an amazing thing to share; a good meal can unite the most unlikely of friends.”