I grew up in a large Calabrese Italian family where the culture of food was a staple. I was always surrounded by food and developed a passion for cooking from both of my Nonna’s, where I spent much of my time both after school and during the summer months. From an early age, I found myself in the kitchen cooking and baking, recreating my Nonna’s classic recipes. After graduating from the University of Toronto with an Honours in English I completed a Bachelor of Education at Western University. I have a love for teaching and wanted to be a positive influence on children. Nevertheless, my passion for cooking remained, and after a few career changes, marriage and 2 children, I decided that I could not deny my first love any longer. I needed to start sharing my love for food and the Italian culture with more than just my family and friends.  

In 2011, I took a month-long vacation to Italy to learn more about my culture and embrace the Italian lifestyle. It was there that I found myself. I had been to Italy once before, but it was on this trip that I truly appreciated all that the country had to offer. I remembered how much I loved Florence the first time I visited and decided that, that there is where I would begin my adventure. As Gertrude Stein is to Paris, I am to Florence; Canada is my Country and Florence is my home town. I felt like me there, and in fact used Florence as my home base throughout that trip. I began to embrace everything Italian. The Italian language that I learned as a child began to flow out again, the fresh Italian ingredients and flavours I grew up with brought me home, the friendly and passionate people carried me out of my comfort zone, showed me how to love life to its fullest and taught me how to love again. I could not thank the country and all the people that I met there more, for reigniting my passion.

However, after I returned home I settled back into my bustling, stressful Canadian lifestyle, found love, got married, went on a European Honeymoon and had 2 children. Even after all of these fabulous milestones, I felt like something was missing. I started reflecting on my life and what made me happy and it was then that I had my “ah ha” moment. I was done playing it safe; I needed and wanted that same feeling I had when I was on my Italian adventure. I wanted my children to look up to me for following my dreams, I wanted to inspire them to follow their own dreams and to not be afraid of what life has to offer.
My goal with this blog, is to keep the Italian tradition alive through the love of food and the Italian lifestyle. I want to ignite the passion I have for my culture with everyone.

Mangia Bene, Ridi Spesso, Ama Molto.
 
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                                                                                                                                                                                                           Amanda Gervasi