It all began in Nonna Angela’s kitchen.
She was my best friend’s grandmother, and although I wasn’t family, she always made me feel like I was. I was young, curious, and captivated by the scent of simmering tomatoes and the rhythm of hands shaping dough.
Around that table, I witnessed how food could gather generations, spark laughter, and turn everyday moments into cherished memories. It was more than a meal — it was a ritual of love, generosity, and belonging. That kitchen lit the fire in me: a passion for food not just to nourish, but to bring joy, comfort, and connection to others.
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