Mashable’s Senior Creative Producer, Mark Stetson, recently interviewed the cast and creators of the new Netflix family comedy, Nonnas. The film features Vince Vaughn as Joe Scaravella, an aspiring restaurateur seeking purpose after the loss of his mother. In her honor, Joe decides to embark on a bold venture and launch an Italian restaurant, Enoteca Maria, with a distinctive twist—he recruits local Italian grandmothers to act as the chefs. The cast includes Lorraine Bracco, Susan Sarandon, Brenda Vaccaro, and Talia Shire as the culinary matriarchs. Joe’s dedicated best friend, Bruno (played by Joe Manganiello), even helps out by doing all the contracting work pro bono.

“It’s based on a real place,” Vaughn told Mashable. “It started with Italian grandmothers cooking their family recipes… They were the chefs, passing down their traditions, which fostered this amazing sense of family.”

The actual Enoteca Maria, situated in Staten Island, has transformed since its opening in 2007. Today, grandmothers from diverse cultural backgrounds share their heritage through culinary delights. Manganiello recounted the unforgettable experience of dining there: “We had dinner and the nonnas served us. There’s a Puerto Rican nonna now, a Japanese nonna… The meal just kept coming. One plate could’ve been a full dinner, and there were like 12! It never stopped.”

Susan Sarandon reflected on the profound significance of the nonnas’ culinary contributions: “These women, who might not have had the opportunity to pursue careers or hobbies, discovered their artistic expression in cooking. It wasn’t merely a task—it was their art. That’s why they protected their recipes so fiercely. Each dish was uniquely theirs.”

Lorraine Bracco chimed in with a chuckle, “And that’s why they wrapped all their furniture in plastic.”

Nonnas is now streaming on Netflix.