As owners of a travel enterprise, at least once a year my partners and I take a long look at target markets, study consumer behaviors and carry out a deep-dive strategy to set goals, affirm dreams and work to bring our business to the next level. One of the important aspects of growing our experience-travel company is intercepting upcoming trends. We carry out research, monitor social media and explore industry press to pinpoint these and see how they can improve what we do. What are the major food trends to expect and observe in 2023? Food is an extremely dynamic, creative and inspiring ..read more

Technically, I am not an American expat. I consider myself more Italian. But I was raised by multicultural parents. And there are times when my American side emerges, begging for Bisquick. Over the years I have added and removed items from my list of “The American Foods I Miss.” Some, like big-tub chunky peanut butter, Oreos or Häagen-Dazs salted caramel ice cream, are now available in Italian grocery stores. While some others have remained chimeras, only to be enjoyed after westerly intercontinental flights. I’m sharing my list here, guilt-free. Many of the foods in the list are far f ..read more

The Italian countryside will soon be ablaze with warm colors, tables will be laden with comforting foods, and food festivals are gearing up to showcase Nature's best.  When it's time for the harvest of plentiful crops and brown leaves fall, chilly showers replenish the soil and procure Italians with a bounty of porcini mushrooms, truffles, pomegranate pouches of rubies, plump persimmons, bouncy new wine and cloudy green, freshly pressed olive oil. Salads leave room to soups and flans, casseroles, fragrant loaves and rich cakes. Pumpkin, mushrooms, truffles, creamy Alpine cheeses, chest ..read more

Cilento is a subregion of Campania located between Paestum and Sapri, on the border with Basilicata. A huge territory, where nature is truly wild, where the population is less than a hundred thousand, and in which rural traditions and a slow, very slow pace of everyday life are carefully preserved. Nature and sea-loving Italy travellers who don’t mind the total absence of designer fashion and yacht slips, will find themselves in a part of southern Italy that has retained its authentic charm through a low profile. Don’t get us wrong, Cilento is packed with historical and archeological desti ..read more

Welcome back to the Be My Guest series. This column showcases like-minded guest bloggers who share intimate moments with the food of the heart, here on Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino. Today I'm happy to introduce Robbin, a passionate wine lover, firecracker and culture devotee. Robbin and I met a decade ago and have kept in touch through social media. I'm thrilled to share with you her wonderful new project.  Take it away, Robbin! There is a curiosity of Florence hiding in plain sight. Long mistaken for religious tabernacles, the wine doors of Florence instead delivered wine to the commone ..read more

This will not be easy. When I need to work through a struggle, I write. But this time it's impossible to organize my thoughts and navigate in this tempest. The reason is that my north star, my beacon in the fog, my rudder are gone. She has flown away, and I am lost. I'll let these few photos do the talking. The majority of these happy moments with my mother are captured at the tables, enjoying great food. Drinking wine. Laughing and loving. Ciao Mamma ..read more

Cook with me! Below are the online live hands-on cooking lessons I'm teaching in March. Sign up before they fill up! Click on the photos to sign up to the class ..read more

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Welcome back to a series that is dear to my heart. Be My Guest showcases like-minded guest bloggers who share intimate moments with the food of the heart, here on Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino.  Today I hand over the baton to Ellen. Her Italian food and travel themed blog, An Italian Dish, is a labor of love. In it she shares her love of naturally vegetarian Italian dishes, recipes, travel tales as well as some stories from her genealogy research. Take it away, Ellen! The season of gift giving is upon us, and I think back to one of the kindest, most thoughtful life-altering gifts I have ..read more

Dear Food is a podcast created by and intended for food lovers. You can imagine how thrilled I was when the creator, veteran Hollywood host and producer Ashley Chaney, asked me to be a guest on the show's maiden voyage! The claim is, "If food makes you feel happy, comforted, and loved, this show is for you. Whether or not you know how to cook, Dear Food speaks directly to your soul." When Ashley asked me to be the first episode guest, she made it clear she wanted us to talk about Italian food and droolworthy descriptions of my favorite flavors, but mostly about the importance of h ..read more