A design background and cooking go together like pane e prosciutto, both independently excellent but even better together. Meet Dan “Grossy” Pelosi. His Vodka “Sawce” has gone viral. His grandfather, Bimpy, has become an Instagram sweetheart. Pelosi’s love for cooking Italian cuisine started as a hobby and has grown into a full-blown brand, online cookbook, resource center, and marketplace in less than a year’s time. From his charismatic cook-along content to his retro “This Too Shall Pasta” fundraising swag line, Pelosi’s cleverly curated culinary journey has only just begun.
Grossy Pelosi is the lovechild of his expertise and passion, with a healthy helping of family, friends, and nostalgia. With several brand partnerships, a Pinterest deal, and a book on the horizon, Pelosi “lives here now,” as he says. He gives us a glimpse into his world, dishing on the many inspirations, accomplishments, and goals he hopes to achieve.
Dan “Grossy” Pelosi
Did you ever have dreams of working in the food / culinary space?
Actually, the first plan I made in high school was to go to culinary school. It was always my dream and vision, so I visited the CIA and a few other schools, but also realized in my heart that I had a very strong interest in design. I ended up pursuing art and design because of the formal training I was interested in gaining, but knew food would be part of my life. While there would’ve been plenty to learn in culinary school I received a great education in food as a kid, which continues to serve my foundation for this new journey!
Did you grow up with Italian influences?
Absolutely! I come from a Northeastern Italian-American and Portuguese-American family, so the food I grew up on was always one of those two. People from my town were either Irish-Catholic or Italian-Catholic, so we had all of the Italian bakeries, festivals, and clubs. A lot of my childhood food memories are based around Sunday dinners, big family parties and even (more morbidly), when someone passed. Instead of flowers, it was more so “Can I send you a meat tray or a lasagna?"
Where did the nickname “Grossy” come from?
I spent a year abroad in Italy studying during college, which happened to be the same year that the movie “Never Been Kissed” came out with Drew Barrymore, whose name was “Josey Grossy.” When I would call my friends at home from Italy, they would scream “Grossy Pelosi!” as a loving way to troll me. I found it hysterical! As social media evolved, and a need for a handle arose, I started using it. People find it cute, but it’s a little strange for me. I equate it to the dichotomy of Ina Garten versus the Barefoot Contessa. I have no space in being a very serious cook, and “Grossy” is part of that. For me, it’s about the joy and laughter and cooking at home and the ease of it all.
How did you break into food?
I had a really tough 2019. I lost my uncle who I was very close to. I spent most of my life saving to buy a home upstate to renovate, and lost that opportunity, which broke me. It was just a super bummer of a year. So I’ve been throwing this annual cookie party for the past six years. It’s the one big event (and best day) of the year where everyone comes together and brings cookies. At that party in 2019, I realized that there was something there. I decided in 2020 that I wanted to narrow the scope of my Instagram page to food and see what happens, and the lockdown in March ended up being the perfect time to start. I had roughly 5,000 followers at the time and began posting food and recipes in my highlights, cooking on the weekends everyday while working from home. I documented each process, and after about three months of content, it became a food account. It really took off, and I was receiving questions and inquiries for merchandise by April, which is when I started working with SAGE, whom we’ve now raised $30,000 in donations for! I launched my website that June, which is now getting 100,000 visits per month. I have an exciting deal with Pinterest, a book agent, recently appeared on Good Morning America, and was featured in The New York Times. Without a doubt, the best part about this whole experience was that over the course of those months, people were telling me I helped them get through, made them smile, and taught them something. That really drives me and affirms the good stuff.
Are you still doing your full-time job?
I recently left my job as the Senior Creative Director for the Ann Taylor Brands. I loved working there and was with them for seven years, but am super excited to put my efforts into this full time!
Farfalle with Vodka “Sawce”
Let’s talk about The “Sawce.” How did you come up with the recipe? When did it go viral?
Part of what I do involves creating my own recipes that are either influenced by or in some way have been a part of my family’s story for years. I bring conversations and friendships and relationships into them. I lived in San Francisco in my 20s. A good friend of mine who I lived there with and I were talking about Vodka Sauce one day in the fall of 2019 and hit on this magic combo. Vodka Sauce is one of those things that people see on a menu but never really go for it. The name “Sawce” came from this idea of old school Italians just eating and gabbing. It’s very retro to me. It’s also really delicious and easy to make, can be vegan or not, and is a great vehicle for spending time in the kitchen with family and friends. There’s just magic in it!
What’s your favorite recipe to make for yourself? For friends and family?
For me, I I really love a chicken cutlet situation. The whole process. If we really want to go all in, we do a cutlet night. I really crave straight-up, fried chicken cutlet with a lemon and a salad. I famously make meatballs for my friends and family. If you’re at my table and there are meatballs, you’ve made it. My grandfather’s meatballs were his pride and joy. Mine are inspired by him. He uses raisins in his. My marinara and meatballs are my recipe but pay homage to his.
Dan and Bimpy
Who is Bimpy? How has he inspired your cooking?
Bimpy is my grandfather. My grandparents had a basement kitchen and I grew up watching them cook. I think for me, having that level of exposure was amazing. When I got older and went away from home, being able to call my family and ask for details on recipes and the like was invaluable. I only have so much time with Bimpy now and I wasn’t able to see him during the pandemic, so I would call and ask him the same questions and stories and jokes. It’s just the best. That’s what inspires the way I storytell and share. It’s not just the recipes, but the love and all of it. The conversations and time I spent as a kid, all the way up until now.
What was the drive behind your “This Too Shall Pasta” swag line?
My brand is inspired by the mother’s club cookbooks. I’ve been collecting them for years. The minute I realized I needed a logo and branding, I put together a design presentation (my area of expertise) and had one of my most talented designers co create the shirt, brand and the website. I pretty quickly felt like a brand selling a narrative, with people requesting merch just one month in. It was interesting. There was a global pandemic, I was fortunate to have a job, people were suffering, so I decided I was going to sell stuff and raise money to donate and help. SAGE is the oldest and largest organization that helps LGBT elders, many of which can’t leave their house, are two times less likely to have a partner and four times less likely to have children, meaning they have less support overall. I love SAGE and it makes the most sense with my brand, so I called them and they were super on board!
What is the Grossery List? How do you curate the products on it?
The Grossery List was born from the crazy realization that people wanted to know everything about my life and had no shame in asking me for a ton of info. I was happy to share, but needed a place to tell people to go to for reference, so I created this list as a way for me to share the things I really, really love (it’s not easy to get on it)! The first few Grossery List items are donation portals, followed by some brands that I love. If you see me posting about or using a product often, chances are, it’s on the list and is one of my favorites!
Where can we find your recipes?
Everything lives on my website. I’m also on Instagram and Pinterest as a Favorite Creator @grossypelosi.
Do you have any big food dreams?
A cookbook(s) is definitely a dream of mine. I never thought it would be a reality, but now it is. Television would also be fun! I also have a lot of knowledge outside of food in design, interiors, travel, and lifestyle that I’d like to tap into to add diversity to what I offer.