Philosophy
The philosophy of Sprezzatura is that food is love. Food and hospitality are the source of belonging, nourishment, growth, and community. Everyone is welcome to the table. We’ve located our cafe and custom catering business in the food hub in Millvale’s former Moose Lodge as an expression of these core beliefs. Together with New Sun Rising, 412 Food Rescue, and community partners, we look forward to making a contribution to the neighborhood, participating in community life, and supporting Millvale’s sustainability as a vital, strong community.
What We Do
Sprezzatura, a woman-owned community cafe and catering kitchen, specializes in customized, Italian and Italian-American food. We create menus from fresh, locally sourced ingredients and organic whenever possible as our promise of quality to our customers and a commitment to support local growers and our environment. Operating as a Gold Level Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant in a reclaimed building, our business practices include operating from a solar-powered kitchen; equitable employment practices; environmental practices such as commercial composting; and strong community partnerships that bring healthy, accessible food to low-income children and families. In our shared community space, we offer musical and theatrical performances as well as food-related and environmental programs. Our business thrives equally from our café, catering, events, and community partnerships.
Jennifer Saffron, Proprietress
Proprietor Jen Saffron came to the concept of Sprezzatura through her participation in Launch Millvale, a business incubator program through New Sun Rising. Growing up eating many delicious meals in a loving Italian American family, and as an artist with a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and an MFA from Bard College, creating beautiful food and bringing people together for shared meals is second nature for Jen. With a longstanding professional background in arts nonprofits and education, Jen seeks to merge her love of community, art, and food in the business that is Sprezzatura, establishing a creative third space in Millvale. A mother of two growing teenage boys, Jen knows the value of food as central to what brings us together and keeps us going — viva!
