After years cooking in some of New York City’s most celebrated Italian kitchens—and even running my own Salumeria—I felt the pull to return to the source. In 2019, I packed my knives and moved to Bologna to immerse myself in the art of traditional handmade pasta.

Bologna quickly became my classroom and my muse. I learned the craft in legendary spots like Amerigo 1934, Salumeria Bruno e Franco, and Hosteria Giusti, and more recently at Enoteca La Zaira and Ciapaso in the vine-covered Colli Bolognesi.

Now, I’m happily rooted in Bologna’s historic center—a city I love in a region I believe serves the best food in Italy. I’m an Italian-trained chef and a certified Accompagnatore Turistico (food tour leader), partnering with Taste Bologna and others to guide travelers through the flavors, traditions, and stories of Emilia-Romagna. I also teach traditional handmade pasta classes and, every Sunday night, step into the kitchen of Palazzo Isolani—a magnificent 16th-century palazzo on Piazza Santo Stefano—to chef a private dinner in an unforgettable setting.

This is where I share my world—travel notes, restaurant finds, food and wine tour experiences, and insider city guides—an open door into the abundant Slow Food Valley.