Vince Vaughn explores the restorative qualities of family recipes in ‘Nonnas’.

Mark Stetson, Senior Creative Producer, recently spoke with the cast and creators of the Netflix family comedy Nonnas. The film follows aspiring restaurateur Joe Scaravella (Vince Vaughn), who seeks purpose after the death of his mother. He decides to risk everything to honor her by opening an Italian restaurant, Enoteca Maria, in her memory. The twist: he engages local Italian grandmothers (Lorraine Bracco, Susan Sarandon, Brenda Vaccaro, and Talia Shire) as the chefs. Before long, everyone in Joe’s life comes together to help, including his best friend, Bruno (Joe Manganiello), who goes to great lengths, even doing all the contracting work for free.

“It’s based on a real place,” Vaughn mentioned. “It started off by being Italian grandmothers who were truly cooking the recipes from their families… And they were the chefs, preparing family traditions unique to their own families, which created this incredible feeling of community.”

The actual Staten Island restaurant’s offerings have broadened since its opening in 2007, with “nonnas” from various cultures contributing their family recipes. Joe Manganiello elaborates on the dining experience at the now-famous restaurant: “We had dinner, and the nonnas served us. There’s a Puerto Rican nonna now, and a Japanese nonna, and… we had this gigantic meal that just wouldn’t end. It was just endless. I mean, one plate would have been somebody’s full dinner, and there were like 12, you know? It just kept going!”

“These women, who may not have had opportunities for outside jobs or artistic pursuits, found fulfillment in the delicacies of what they cooked,” Sarandon expressed. “So it wasn’t just a duty; it was also their form of expression. That’s why they kept their recipes very secret… because it was their specific, patented dish.”

“And that’s why they covered all their furniture in plastic,” joked Lorraine Bracco.

Nonnas is now streaming on Netflix.