I grew up in the Italian countryside, free as a bird, walking around barefoot, hunting for fireflies, hosting little orphan hedgehogs, climbing on olive trees to watch the sunset slowly going down. My memories smell of clementines and wood fire ovens. Everything had a specific rhythm, and I was slowly living each season at its own time. Food has always been a very important part of me, appreciating it in the most natural and direct way possible, getting to know every single step of the growing process, from the seed, to a beautiful fruit. From what I can recall, I started cooking immediately after I was able to stand properly, teaching myself most of it and learning from wise Italian women; I have always been respectful and intrigued by the old days, and I believe that food in some ways is present, past and future; It’s the admiration and memory of traditions, that lives through us and evolves into something new every time. My mother would let me experiment in the kitchen, and taste anything I made, pretending to like it, most of the time…until one day, my father, who’s my “culinary partner in crime” made me attend some professional cooking classes, just for fun, during our trips across the world. We learnt from the best: Alain Ducasse, Niko Romito, Heinz Beck, Gennarino Esposito and many more.
I would learn. My father would eat.
I remember my first cooking class in Rome, I was about 8 years old, attending the class, amongst all adults, but somehow I became the mascot of the group and ended up hiding under the table eating all the chocolate mousse my father would pass me. My interest in food is essential and my curiosity towards it is unlimited. I grew up studying photography in Africa, England and America and then graphic design in Brussels, thinking to work as a visual artist in some hip ad agency. However, I could also see my interest for food leading me away, and slowly shifting from a hobby to my new ambition. That’s how I finally decided to move from Brussels to France and become the assistant to one of the most famous French food bloggers: Mimi Thorisson. I worked with her for two years, learning about food style, life style photography and of course food. I learnt so much and I understood how important it was for me to do what I love most, combining my interest for aesthetic and food.
When I think about a meal, food isn’t the only thing I like to take care of. I love visiting antique markets, like my mother taught me. I love vintage cutlery and glasses, old plates nicely displayed on vintage tablecloth, accompanied by beautiful flowers and candles. All ready to welcome the great food I’m aiming to prepare and share with the people I love. At the moment, I’m living between Italy and Greece, working full time in an advertising agency. During my free time I pursue my passion for food, travels and anything that inspires me, all portrayed through my lenses, but mostly, my words.