Bio:

I am of Italian descent from the south of Italy, Napoli. Born and raised in Vancouver with a very traditional Italian upbringing. The  second youngest of six siblings and thankful for all the traditions my parents have passed along to me and my siblings. Sundays were always spent with the family. It was the day we would celebrate each other with great food. When I was young, Sunday dinners were eaten around 1pm and lasted for hours. I remember everyone would simply linger around the table talking and laughing while enjoying Mom's Sunday meal. Today our family dinners are eaten at about 6pm. They don’t last as long but our Sunday meal typically  includes the same as it always has;  an antipasto, a primo; usually a pasta, a secondo; meat or fish with a salad. Fruit, nuts and dolce (sweets), along with a cup of espresso that completes the amazing meal. 

When did you first to learn to cook?

I always tried to pay attention to my Mamas cooking. Instruction was not a very orderly affair and rarely was there any formal teaching that took place. For my mom cooking was all about touch, feel, smell, passion and love. Food was about being a good mother who fed her children well. While ensuring we all sat down together to eat as a family. I learned to never use prepared foods and to use only the freshest and most authentic ingredients available.  I seldom go out for an Italian meal because I rarely find food with any of the same qualities and taste of Moms. Cooking for me is simple Italian home cooking and sometimes adding a modern twist. 

What is your cooking philosophy

My recipes are simple and using ingredients at the peak of their freshness and flavour is important to me. I shop for freshness, seasonality and market availability, which usually mirrors the cuisine of the Italian south. 

How do you express my love for cooking ?

The joy of cooking is the time I spend in the kitchen to prepare a meal for the people that I care for. It is the feeling I get knowing that almost everyone loves food and I am the one preparing it for them. My joy comes  at the moment that we sit down for a meal and we begin to enjoy what I have put together. It is a long standing tradition that friends and family sit down together and have a good meal. These are the moments I savor; enjoying a meal together will always trigger memories of good times.