Nonna Lola,
who, still now, at the fresh age of 84, is still spinning the spoon, making a lot of people happy with her food.
Mamma Annalisa,
La Mamma e' sempre la Mamma!!!
For feeding my stomach, my heart and my mind when I was growing up.
My Wife Deborah,
I love feeding you!!!
My daughters Evelina and Giulia,
I am so happy you have your mother's appetite!
My Babbo Leonardo,
who one day put me in fron of the fireplace and told me:
"Ok, let's cook dinner!".
My Brother Fabio,
The very first person I ever cooked for.
Deborah
The first person I need to thank is my mom...she was the
worst cook when I was a kid, partially because she was a
kid herself when she had me(16)...but she became a hippy,
and introduced me to a lifetime of healthy eating habits,
that I am forever grateful for!
And she later became a fantastic cook...there is still hope
for me mom!!
My Grandnma Evelyn....I sat on a stool by the sink, and
watched you cook everyday of my young life...Your 'American
Chop Suey"(Cambell's tomato soup, fried onions & chop
meat, (served over elbow macaroni)was my fav!!..Your
Thanksgivings were so elegant.. I think of you whenever I
eat a Thomas's English muffin.. You always tried to be a
great Italian cook for your hot boyfriend, and I know you'd
be proud of me if you were alive.. I'll never forget going
to the butcher to buy the meat for your prized Braciole!!!!
It is still one of the best!!
I have made a career out of eating at friends tables since
I can remember.. I love being a guest!!!!! I'd like to
thank my God parents Gary & Pat Pagano, for saving me
with food, when I was a skinny teenager.. Adolfo Sanchez
for fine tuning my Cuban & Caribbean palate. Min
Sanchez for teaching me the best Mid Western/American
dishes that rule! Don Marino for always reminding me to eat
clean & healthy,and showing up at my doorstep with
fresh turkey meatballs....Paul & Claudio for being big
Italian Brothers, and always keeping me fed in my years of
working round the clock! And finally Giovanni & Michele
for always giving me a table at Bar Pitti, where I eat when
im back home in NYC..
To my mother -in -law...THANKYOU for not passing judgment
on me.. For your son to have married the American was
probably a hard one.. Thankyou for raising your son
fabulously, and for helping me in the kitchen.
I'd like to thank Evelina & Giulia, my daughter's, who
think that I am a wonderful cook, because I am the one who
usually pulls out the Chicken Nuggets & Macaroni &
Cheese..
They still prefer "babbo's food".. i'm not insulted
yet......although I recently offered to cook Thanksgiving
dinner (alla my grandmas stlye),and my daughter
Evelina,said..'ughh gross"........
Finally,Id like to thank my husband feeding my heart &
soul..At the end of the day, I'd love you even if you
served me TV dinners every nite!!