Viola Buitoni

Viola Buitoni, chef instructor and food writer, was born in Rome and raised in Perugia, Italy. With stories and knowledge from six generations, her dishes cross the best of California agriculture with the finest Italian food imports.

After moving to the US to attend NYU, Viola started Buitoni & Garretti, a catering kitchen and Italian fine foods shop in New York City. She later moved to San Francisco where she began lecturing and teaching Italian food tradition workshops at the SF Italian Cultural Institute and Italian Consulate.

Viola teaches Italian cooking remotely at Milk Street, and in person at 18Reasons + The Civic Kitchen in San Francisco. She leads immersive food tours in off-the-beaten-path Italy. She has contributed to La Cucina Italiana US and to Italy Segreta.

In 2020 the President of the Italian Republic awarded her the title of Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia for her work to further the culture and business of Italian food.

She lives in SF’s Mission District with her husband, son, and tiny dog.

Viola’s opera prima, Italy by Ingredient – Artisanal Foods/Modern Recipes is available for pre-order and will be released by Rizzoli on September 12, 2023.