Wine Dinner Series
Reserve your Spot now for Bella Cucina's Summer Italian Wine Dinner Series
Video of our 1st Wine Dinner - April 29th
SOLD OUT 2nd STop - May 27th is FULL and at capacity
Joanne Thompson retired in the Southport area after having a seasonal home on Oak Island since 1986. She was a high school English teacher, writer, and publications editor for multiple newsrooms including copy chief for I LOVE NY, deputy director public relations for NYS LOTTERY, and retired as Western NY Regional Director for the NYS LOTTERY. Not only has she done TV and radio work, but she has taught comparative Asian cooking and Mediterranean cooking classes. A foodie with a love for cooking and feeding EVERYONE, she has traveled extensively and took what she learned to start the BRUNSWICK MARKETPLACE newspaper twenty years ago as an affordable way for small businesses to advertise, get noticed and be successful! She is a people lover - How Italian!
Now registering for 3rd stop June 24th - June 24th wine dinner
Our customers have been asking when we are starting our Wine Dinner Series . . .and here we go!
Our Italian Wine Dinner Series – A Culinary Journey Through Italy
This spring, we’re launching an exclusive Italian Wine Dinner Series, and you’re invited to savor the flavors, stories, and wines of four iconic regions. Each dinner will showcase a different corner of Italy, thoughtfully paired with regional wines and a curated multi‑course menu.
Each dinner includes a curated four‑course menu, expertly paired wines, and—what truly sets our series apart—a special appearance by a local Italian Nonna. At every dinner, she’ll share one of her cherished family recipes along with the heartfelt story behind it. It’s an experience that blends culture, cuisine, and connection in a way you won’t find anywhere else.
Your Passport to Italy Includes:
· 4 unique dinners, each celebrating a distinct Italian region
· Expert wine pairings selected to highlight local varietals (full glass per course, not just a taste!)
· A culinary experience designed to transport you across Italy without leaving your seat
· Exclusive discounts on all featured wines
· Hosted by a local Italian Nonna sharing a family recipe and tradition
Pricing Options:
· Single Dinner: $90
· Full 4‑Dinner Series: $325 (save $35)
Dates Begin: April 29th – Bella Cucina Italian Restaurant - Southern Italy - Nonna Anna Maria D'Antonio DABramo
Full Series Calendar Last Wednesday of the month 6:00PM – 8:00 PM
· Wednesday, April 29th, 2026 - SOLD OUT - AT Capacity
· Wednesday, May 27th , 2026
· Wednesday, June 24th, 2026
· Wednesday, July 29th, 2026
Whether you join us for one evening or indulge in the full journey, this is a rare chance to explore Italy’s diverse culinary landscape in a beautifully intimate setting.
Seats are limited, and these dinners will sell out quickly.
Anna Maria D’Antonio-D’Abramo is thrilled to be the first Nonna in the Spring Italian Wine Dinner Series. For Anna Maria, it’s a chance to be with new friends, enjoy incredible food, and honor her Italian heritage. With grandparents Congettii and Madalena (Savina) Fiocchetta, and Giuseppe and Anna (Passalacqa) D’Antonio, all from the province of L’Aquila in Italy’s Abruzzo region, Anna Maria grew up in a stereotypical Italian family where every memory and celebration was anchored in the incredible cuisine of her heritage. As she remembers, when she was a kid in elementary school, instead of peanut butter and jelly in her lunchbox like the other children, she had a meatball sub. Later, she picked the perfect professional career, dance, to balance her enduring love of Italian food.
As a performer, she appeared in the international tour of “West Side Story,” the national tour of “Annie Get Your Gun,” and too many regional productions to count. She was also an assistant choreographer and “choreographic consultant” on many Broadway productions and projects, her favorite being “Smokey Joe’s Cafe." After retiring from performing, Anna Maria transitioned into education, implementing Dance into the curriculum of Gwinnett County Public Schools, the largest school system in Georgia. Building on her experience, she became responsible for the Dance Education curriculum at both the county and state levels. A leader in Fine Arts Education, she is credited with implementing dance programs in 12 high schools, developing and securing grant funding for numerous Fine Arts Outreach programs, and serving as Lead Teacher for Dance Education. Anna Maria retired as the Fine Arts Coordinator for Academy Model Schools in Gwinnett County. She is a graduate of Point Park University, holds a K-12 certification in Dance Education from the University of Georgia, and a Master's in Health Science from the University of Alabama. Anna Maria currently resides in Southport, NC, with her husband and best friend, Dr. Louis D’Abramo, their dog Emma, and loves being Nonna to her grandsons.
