Sometimes I get so overloaded with information I need to let it sink in to think about it. The pasta festival in Gragnano was one of those events. Traditionally, the festival is held the first week in September it is three days packed with music and food. I attended a pre-festival in collaboration with the…
Divina Cucina on the Road- Sicily 2012
Each time I go to Sicily it seems more and more like coming home. On my bucket list is to have a home in Sicily and retire there by the sea, so it is with extreme pleasure that I share my Sicily with my fellow lover’s of food and travel on our culinary expeditions. off…
Diva on the Road- New York for IACP
Once a year there is a culinary conference in America with IACP, where it is my opportunity to connect with other culinary professionals and I ADORE IT. I haven’t been in two years and was great to come to New York, where I have never really been, to attend the conference. Here is the view…
Divina Cucina– in Paris
One of the wonderful things about living in Italy is how easy it is to travel around Europe– time and money permitting. Until recently, I had not had the opportunity to return to Paris. My grandfather was born outside of Paris in a small village called Soisson. I studied French and always felt France was…
Divina Cucina on the Road- Aosta
I felt a little like Heidi when I arrived at the lovely Hotel Village in Aosta. My friends Giuliana and Marco had invited me up to cook for a small party for their friends, presenting the renovations which they did on the hotel. The hotel has a few rooms in the hotel itself, but also has…
Niente
It has been a tough week, when I came back from Rome– I was basically hobbling along. I had pulled a muscle or tendon and bedrest was required. It is so boring. So this week no cooking, no fotos. NOTHING. Thought I would just post a lovely painting from the hotel where we stay in…
Passion for Pizza- BONCI
i couldn’t help myself— when I saw there was another session with Gabrielle Bonci in Rome for pizza workshop- I had to go again! Larger than life– with a heart as big as a mountain and a passion for his dough like no other. He talks so fast and is so full of great ideas…
Diva’s Dirty Little Secret- Gnocchi in 10 minutes
I am not a kitchen Nazi. I also use short-cuts when I can or teach people how to make life easier and simpler. One of my favorite tricks in the kitchen I learned living here is to use instant mashed potatoes for gnocchi. I had bought some incredibly tender potato gnocchi in the grocery store…