Hi there! I’m Sofia Russo, a 42-year-old American who’s made a second home in the rolling hills of Tuscany. My journey into the world of cooking didn’t begin in a bustling restaurant kitchen or a prestigious culinary school, but rather on a sunlit terrace in a small Italian village, where I first tasted pasta that made me question everything I thought I knew about food.
It was a trip that changed my life. I had always enjoyed food, of course—who doesn’t? But there was something about the way Italians treated their ingredients, their rituals around meals, and their absolute reverence for simplicity that hooked me instantly. I remember watching an elderly nonna roll out tagliatelle by hand, her fingers moving with a quiet confidence that spoke of decades of love and labor. That image stuck with me.
Back home in the States, I started experimenting in my kitchen, trying to recreate those flavors with ingredients I could find. At first, I burned more garlic than I care to admit. I overcooked pasta, under-seasoned sauces, and had some very questionable attempts at cacio e pepe. But I kept at it, driven by the memory of that first perfect bite in Italy.
Eventually, I returned to Italy—this time, not just as a visitor, but as someone determined to learn. I immersed myself in regional traditions, picking olives in Umbria, making fresh ricotta in the countryside, and absorbing every bit of culinary wisdom I could from locals who were kind enough to share. One thing became clear: cooking isn’t just about following a recipe. It’s about respecting the ingredients, embracing the seasons, and cooking with heart.
Now, I live just outside Florence with my partner and our overly curious beagle, Leo. I spend my days cooking, writing about food, and welcoming fellow food lovers into my kitchen. Whether it’s teaching someone how to make pasta from scratch or introducing them to the joy of a slow-cooked ragu, nothing makes me happier than sharing the magic of Italian cooking.
I’m not a trained chef, and I don’t pretend to be. I’m just someone who fell in love with a way of life, and now I want to pass that love on. If you’re a home cook or a food enthusiast with a hunger for learning and a soft spot for pasta, I think we’ll get along just fine.