How contact me

Please feel free to contact me about anything, whether you need help with a recipe, want to take a cooking class, or have a business inquiry. Email: info@insidemyitaliankitchen.com

My story

My family departed from Italy in 1974, and moved to Albany, New York. For many years, my parents led a modest life, characterized by diligent work and the responsibility of raising five children. Over time, our circumstances improved, accompanied by various accomplishments. In late 1987, they made the decision to return to Sicily.

I was only six years old, but it was a big change for me, and marked significantly my life. I embraced a new existence in Italy, enveloped by traditions, family dinners, and festive celebrations. The memories of those family gatherings hold a special place in my heart.

My life has always been busy, and I have been working hard since I was a kid. Struggling with my weight all my life,I aimed to make time for preparing healthier meals for myself. 

For this reason, I started to cook when I was only ten years old, learning my way through the kitchen. My family ran different businesses, and I started helping my sisters in their shops when I was young. This gave me valuable experience, especially in the food business. One sister owns a bakery, and the other runs a butcher shop.

As you can imagine, growing up, I had a lot on my plate—juggling family responsibilities while studying and kick-starting my career in IT, a field completely unrelated to food.

I am 43 years old today. My husband Alfredo and I have been married for eight years. We met in a small restaurant in a town near Catania, and since then, we haven’t been able to get rid of each other! Three years later, we tied the knot, and in 2020 our family was blessed with the arrival of Andrea, our little bundle of joy, who drives us crazy! (In every possible way!)

I live in New York with my small family of three. Cooking for my loved ones is my passion, and it has long been my way of expressing love.

Moving to America

When I moved back to America in 2018, I knew how to speak English, but I barely knew how to speak American English. My husband, on the other hand, didn’t speak English at all. It was a big change for both of us, but we quickly adapted and began forging our new life. We kicked things off with modest jobs and steadily progressed in our respective careers. It was a year full of surprises and changes, but we navigated through them together.

One of the biggest challenges we encountered was reconciling the differences between our Italian cuisine and American food. We soon noticed that while people frequently discussed Italian food, what they were actually cooking diverged significantly from authentic Italian dishes. The recipes had been so thoroughly Americanized, with strange names, that they seemed to have drifted far from their Italian roots. My initial reaction was, “No, this is completely wrong.”

That is why after moving to America, besides being a full-time mom, I also became a full-time cook. My husband and I had a hard time adapting to food and cuisine.

Our kitchen is always open and busy, cooking up meals almost 8 hours a day! My friends often joke that  there’s always something going on in my Italian kitchen. This lighthearted joke of words and the way they affectionately call it “my Italian kitchen” inspired the name of my blog: “inside my Italian kitchen”.

Food is love

I love to share my passion for good food and cooking, which is why I created this blog. My aim is not only to showcase what I cook, but also to teach others how to cook. To teach anyone willing to learn that it’s possible to eat well without spending a fortune. That it’s possible to prepare inexpensive but good, affordable meals for your family while balancing work and being a mom.

My mom was my inspiration. She worked two jobs, cooked everything from scratch, and raised five kids. So, with her as my role model, I never questioned whether I could do it or not!

My Italian and Sicilian culture and tradition

I spent thirty years in Italy, growing up in a family of five. We didn’t have anything extravagant, but we had each other. The first rule in our family was always to help one another and work together to build a better life. Living in Sicily, an island rich in traditions and a unique way of life, shaped me into the woman I am today. My resilience, patience, and approach to life are all owed to that beautiful land and its challenges.

In Italy, food and traditions are at the heart of life. When you discuss food, whether it’s dinners, lunches, or feasts, you’re exploring traditions, family, and people coming together to share memories, laughter, and life experiences. Like any Italian family, there may be moments of drama, but that’s what makes it so special and unique. People engage and connect, sharing so much and shaping you as a human being.

I always loved listening to my grandma and my mother and my aunts discussing food, recipes, and share ideas and ingredients. Everything was prepared at home. Celebrations, holidays, events. We would gather together and prepare food. Waking up at the first light of the morning, and start cooking for an army! Even if I was only a kid, I had to pitch in and learn, and looking back, it was a fun time. I am so grateful for my childhood, and I wouldn’t change anything.

About Inside my Italian kitchen

My recipes are tried and tested numerous times. Everything you will see on these pages is the result of many attempts, failures, and improvements. I love perfecting my recipes and then writing them down on my paper recipe book, which I consider a family treasure. Thanks to the web, now I can share them with you! In addition to my recipes, you’ll find many cooking lessons, tutorials, and tips on how to improve your knowledge and skills in the kitchen.

My goals for Inside my Italian Kitchen

I’m dedicated to transforming “Inside my Italian kitchen” into a thriving business, giving to my family nothing but my utmost dedication, passion, and life balance. My hope is that my blog also becomes your top destination for various occasions, especially when you’re in search of wholesome recipes made from scratch and infused with love. Your support means the world to me. Thank you for being part of my biggest adventure.