Elena Faita: Little Italy’s Matriarch

Elena Faita is a force of nature! A mother, grandmother, entrepreneur, teacher, and pillar of the Italian-Montreal community. She embodies a generation of women who built a life worthy of their dreams — uncompromisingly — through courage, resilience, and hard work.

Born in San Vittore del Lazio, about thirty kilometres from Rome, Elena Faita immigrated to Montreal at the age of seven, settling in Little Italy with her family. From a very young age, the kitchen became her world. “I’ve been cooking since I was very, very little,” she says, smiling with the clarity of someone who always knew her calling.

In 1956, her father and brother founded Quincaillerie Dante, a now-iconic hardware store at the corner of Dante and Saint-Dominique Streets. At just 16, Elena became involved full-time. But that was just the beginning. In addition to running the store, she founded Mezza Luna, a cooking school just a few steps away at 57 Dante Street. The idea came from a booth she set up in 1992 with her daughter at a home expo. For ten days, Elena made pasta for 15 hours a day. The success was immediate — sales exploded, and the media took notice.

Mezza Luna School

Barely recovered from that culinary marathon, her daughter pitched a new idea: start a school. “I looked at her and said, ‘Are you crazy!’” she recalls, laughing. And yet, a year later, the school opened its doors, with tested-till-perfect recipes, measured quantities, and all the warmth that Elena naturally brings.

Over the years, the school welcomed numerous chefs, including Joe Beef‘s Frédéric Morin, Marc De Canck (La Chronique), baker Marc-André Cyr, Marie-Fleur St-Pierre (Hotel Victoria), Martin Picard from Au pied de cochon (who, in a 2012 interview, expressed great admiration for Elena), Michele Forgione and Stefano Faita (Impasto, Gema, and Tousignant), Nick Hodge (formerly Ice House), and many more.

Initially offering 40 courses per year, the school expanded to 60, then 170 courses annually before closing for a short while during the pandemic. Every Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Elena continues to share her passion by giving free cooking classes to 24 lucky participants. This initiative, which she describes as a way of “giving back what the public has given me,” has been a true success. Every Tuesday, an email goes out to her subscribers, and the first to register get a spot. “My students still follow me, and there are a lot of young people — I really love that,” she says, delighted to see new generations so enthusiastic about culinary arts.

Mother and Entrepreneur

Balancing motherhood and running a business was never easy, and Elena is open about that. “It’s a lot of work, especially when you have kids. But you can’t let go of your dreams.” For her, women’s independence is essential — as is the support of a partner. “My husband supported me a lot, and that’s part of why I was able to accomplish my projects.” Today, she’s pleased to see society evolving, with women’s careers gaining more recognition. But she remains clear-eyed: you have to fight, overcome hardships, and never give up. “If you have a dream, you have to go for it. You have to work very, very hard and be proud of yourself. Follow your dreams — honestly and with lots of hard work!”

A Tribute to Women

In September 2024, Elena Faita published her cookbook, La Cucina di Elena — a long-requested project and the one she considers her greatest pride. It quickly became one of Quebec’s most popular cookbooks! More than a collection of recipes, it’s a tribute to women — past and present — who shaped her journey. “It’s very, very important to me,” she emphasizes. Teaching remains a passion for her: she loves to give, share, and see eyes light up around a good dish. Her relationship with her clientele is precious — almost familial. And even after decades of service, she still enjoys working at Quincaillerie Dante, surrounded by her tools and the vibrant energy she helped build. One more year, she says, and perhaps it will be time to retire.

Proud Mother and Nonna

She is the mother of two children, Cristina and Stefano, and the devoted grandmother of five grandchildren aged 7 to 19. “That’s my life!” she says warmly. She often talks with her daughter’s sons — about everything: their plans, university, life. Always present, always involved, she represents a generation of women who gave everything to their families without ever giving up their ambitions. For her, nothing comes without effort, but anything is possible with heart, discipline, and a bit of madness. “It’s simple — nothing comes for free,” she says, quoting the women of a time who paved the way, like her friend Jeannette, “who still yells, still charges ahead.” Today, she watches proudly as women’s careers flourish — including that of her own daughter, who found happiness in Italy.

Elena Faita is much more than an entrepreneur or chef: she is a living symbol of perseverance, generosity, and mentorship. She carved her own path — sometimes against the current — but always with passion and integrity. In building a culinary legacy rooted in tradition yet future-facing, she has inspired thousands — students, chefs, families — to believe in their dreams and never let them go. A mother, grandmother, teacher, community pillar, and seasoned businesswoman, she proves that you can do it all — if you put your whole heart into it. In her actions, words, and dishes, there’s a life lesson: that sincere work, a love of sharing, and staying true to yourself always bear fruit.

Written by Élise Tastet
Photography by Quincaillerie Dante