The daughter of the famous "Mama Celeste" Lizio of pizza fame--but never overshadowed by her mom--Clara Lizio Melchiorre brought sophistication, personalization, and incredible flavor to every dish she touched. In the 1980s she opened her namesake restaurant, which has become a Chicago-area legend. For many years, the restaurant was her home away from home. Her customers were her family.

Just as this book was being published, the author passed away peacefully at the age of eighty-two. It was her lifelong goal to publish her recipes and techniques. She dreamed of passing on her love of cooking to as many people as she could.