My name is Giovanna. I was born in Messina and raised in Catania, Sicily, and I am unapologetically, proudly, and completely in love with my Sicilian roots.

When I came to the United States in 2010, I deeply missed my home, my family, and the traditions of my country. I especially missed the familiar tastes and aromas of the food I grew up with. So, I found a way to bring Sicily closer to me: I started cooking.

In my family, food was prepared from scratch every day. My mother, Grazia, and my nonna, Giovanna taught me that the best dishes do not need to be complicated. Food should be real and simple, made with the right ingredients, mixed with passion and a little bit of skill. Their kitchens, recipes, and love continue to inspire everything I create today.

Cooking became my happy place, my way of expressing myself, and, most of all, my way of showing love. I shared my food with family, friends, and neighbors wherever I went. I often joke that I have Pyrex dishes scattered across several states because I have left a little piece of my cooking—and my heart—everywhere I have lived.

I am a wife and the proud mother of two children: Santiago, 16, and Sofia, 6. When Santiago was born, he became my reason to preserve and carry on the traditions of Sicily. Years later, I felt the same desire to share those traditions with Sofia. I want both of my children to know where they come from and to experience the flavors, stories, and customs that shaped me.

My passion for cooking eventually led me to complete my culinary education and continue my studies in pastry arts. What began as a way to recreate the tastes of home grew into something much greater. Through my kitchen, I created my own little corner of Italy here in the United States, and that passion eventually led me to become a cooking instructor.

Today, I have the joy of teaching others how to prepare authentic food using the freshest, cleanest, highest-quality ingredients possible. I love studying the history behind Sicilian cuisine and understanding where our recipes come from. I believe in respecting tradition, preserving authenticity, and honoring the ingredients that make each dish what it truly is.

My memories remain my greatest guide. They help me recreate the flavors I grew up with—the flavors I carry in my heart. I source ingredients from Italy whenever I can, but I also understand that they are not always easy to find. I am always happy to help others discover the best locally available alternatives without compromising the heart and spirit of a recipe.

Cannoli filled with ricotta are among my favorite Sicilian desserts, and I worked very hard to recreate the authentic taste I remember from home. Today, I am beyond happy and truly honored to share my own cannoli recipe with all of you.

This is more than a recipe. It is a little piece of my Sicily—made with love, memories, tradition, and all my heart.