A Taste of Tradition:
Estes Pasta at Wellspent Market
Chef Patrick McKee has been a fixture in Portland kitchens since the mid-90s...
cutting his teeth at Jazz de Opus before spending a decade under the mentorship of local legend Vitaly Paley. In recent years, he’s been exploring his Italian heritage through his pop-up Estes, named after his family’s Americanized surname. Now, his soulful, old-school red sauce cooking is available beyond the pop-up, with his fresh pasta and homemade sauces stocked regularly at Wellspent Market.
Though the West Coast may not think of Missouri as an Italian stronghold, Patrick grew up in Kansas City surrounded by the flavors of his grandparents' homeland. His family carried on generations of culinary tradition, and every meal was infused with the spirit of their heritage—especially his grandmother’s legendary meatballs. You can taste Nonna Estes’ love in every bite, a reminder that great food is all about connection.
From Chef Patrick McKee:
Mama's Meatballs Recipe
These deeply satisfying beef and pork meatballs are an homage to chef Patrick McKee’s Italian grandmother.
At Wellspent Market, we’re proud to partner with Patrick to bring Estes’ fresh, handmade pasta and sauces to our shelves. Whether you're craving a simple, satisfying bowl of rigatoni alla vodka or a slow-simmered pork sugo, you’ll always find a taste of Patrick’s old-school Italian cooking in our shop. Stop by, stock up, and bring a little bit of Nonna Estes’ kitchen into your own.
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