Our language instructor, Luna, explains the Italian practice of "scarpetta" to help make the most of your meal.

How to “Fare la Scarpetta” Like an Italian

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<div>Monique is a California-based travel and lifestyle writer dedicated to sharing unique experiences and diverse perspectives with a discerning audience. She holds a B.A. in Media Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and has built a foundation in public relations, journalism, and event planning, working with high-profile hospitality clients and journalists alike. Her writing has appeared in <a title="https://www.goworldtravel.com/tag/monique-evdokiou/" href="https://www.goworldtravel.com/tag/monique-evdokiou/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Go World Travel</a><i>, </i><a title="https://www.businessinsider.com/laid-off-first-post-college-job-cold-emailing-helped-2026-6" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/laid-off-first-post-college-job-cold-emailing-helped-2026-6">Business Insider</a><i>, </i>and <a title="https://www.dailycal.org/users/profile/monique%20evdokiou/" href="https://www.dailycal.org/users/profile/monique%20evdokiou/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Daily Californian</em>,</a> and she has written podcast scripts for <a title="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mostar-bosnia-and-herzogovina-and-that-bridge/id1612514250?i=1000760332857" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mostar-bosnia-and-herzogovina-and-that-bridge/id1612514250?i=1000760332857" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoNomad</a>.</div>


Monique Evdokiou

Orvieto’s caves offer a glimpse beneath the hilltop town. Photo: Asurnipal/Wikimedia Commons

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<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Erica D’Arcangelo is an author and creator specializing in Italian and Italian American food culture. Steeped in the vibrant traditions of her family’s business, </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/darcspizza"><span style="font-weight: 400">D’Arc’s Pizza</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> (est. 1960), she writes about her culinary travels and heritage across fiction and non-fiction. She is the author of the Amazon #1 best-seller &#8220;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Story-About-Pizza-Erica-DArcangelo/dp/1917116993/"><span style="font-weight: 400">A Story About Pizza</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">,&#8221; the </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Erica-DArcangelo/author/B0D8K62R5B?ccs_id=83ad4e56-afc0-4611-8147-ec7d7f32d3f6"><span style="font-weight: 400">Pietro’s Pizza</span><span style="font-weight: 400"> children&#8217;s series</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">, and the host of </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AStoryAboutPizza"><i><span style="font-weight: 400">The Pizza Story Podcast</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: 400">, where she interviews cultural icons and master pizzaiolos. Her next book, &#8220;</span><span style="font-weight: 400">My Big Loud Italian Christmas</span><span style="font-weight: 400">,&#8221; releases in Fall 2026.</span></p>


Author Erica D'Arcangelo staring at the camera in black and white

Erica D’Arcangelo

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<p>I am the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Appetito magazine. I like Italian food &amp; drink, a lot. I am also an award-winning novelist and a regular contributor to the New York Times. More about my work can be found at <a href="https://andrewcotto.com/">Home &#8211; Andrew Cotto</a>.</p>


Andrew Cotto

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<article>Theresa Greco is a culinary journalist, storyteller, and creator of T<a href="http://www.foodhuntersguide.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">he Food Hunter’s Guide to Cuisine</a>, where she explores food, cocktails, travel, and the traditions that bring people to the table.</p>
<p>Her writing spans the culinary world, from regional and global cuisines to seasonal ingredients, celebrated chefs, emerging food trends, product reviews, and the stories behind the dishes we love. Deeply inspired by Italian food and culture, Theresa’s perspective is shaped by both the Italian-American table she grew up around and the regional cuisine she has discovered throug her travels in Italy.</p>
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<article>Whether exploring a regional dish, discovering a new ingredient, or sharing the experience of a memorable meal, Theresa believes the best food writing does more than describe what is on the plate—it invites us to taste a place, understand its culture, and see the world from a different perspective. You can find her on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/foodhunter" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">foodhunter</a></p>
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Theresa Greco

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<p>Lowcountry Bella (Mandi Casey) is Italian by birth and Southern by choice. Moving to eastern North Carolina as a young girl, she was exposed to a whole new type of cuisine like BBQ and hush puppies. As an adult, she embraces both cultures so you never know what she may be cooking up in her kitchen! Currently she lives in both Pawleys Island, South Carolina and Fort Mill, South Carolina.</p>
<p>Her family continues to grow, and that makes her happy because there are more people to feed and love. What&#8217;s better than that?</p>
<p>In addition to creating, cooking and sharing great recipes, she loves to research the history of food origins. Understanding the flavors and ingredients helps her creativity, but more-so, appreciate the meal with even more passion.</p>
<p>Mandi loves to be a guest of events, signing books and donating a portion of her net proceeds to local charities. Her second cookbook, <em>Mangia Y&#8217;all &#8211; Make Everyday Delicious</em>, was released in July 2025.</p>
<p>Please follow her on her website <a href="http://www.lowcountrybella.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.lowcountrybella.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1705416623316000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2qLX1Ag56lHqdrjNXYhkQG">www.lowcountrybella.com </a>or on social media: @lowcountrybella on both Instagram and Facebook.</p>
<p>Mangia Y’all!</p>


Mandi Casey of Low Country Bella on a foam green Vespa in a floral skirt.

Lowcountry Bella

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<div class="py-[3px] whitespace-pre-wrap u-break-words">Mario Traina is a Sicilian chef, gastronome, and educator based in Catania. A graduate and ambassador of the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo (founded by Slow Food&#8217;s Carlo Petrini), he is the founder of the Comunità Educativa Gastronomica Etnea, Sicily&#8217;s first educational gastronomic community. He works as a private chef across the island, cooking for travelers with a zero-waste philosophy rooted in local ingredients and Sicilian tradition.</div>
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<div class="py-[3px] whitespace-pre-wrap u-break-words">Website: <a title="https://chefmariotraina.com" href="https://chefmariotraina.com/">chefmariotraina.com</a> | Instagram: @chefmariotraina</div>
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Chef Mario Traina in the kitchen with an apron on.

Chef Mario Traina

A man cutting watermelon beside a truck filled with watermelons in Sicily.

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Appetito

The entrance to Hotel Bellevue Syrene in Sorrento.

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<p>Michele Sessa is an Italian American home chef raised in upstate NY with a flair for creating new recipes. When she was young, her great grandmother would watch her while her parents worked. She only spoke Italian, and they communicated through the magic of cooking. The duo would bake, garden and even take care of the chickens, which developed Michele’s passion for making people happy through her food. All the women in her family fostered the importance of family, faith and healthy food.</p>
<p>Working in the apparel business for over 25 years in NYC and traveling the world for developing fashion lines, her love of different cuisines grew. Of course, Italian food is near and dear to her heart, but she now develops Greek, Asian, Latin and Mexican recipes for her family and for parties.</p>
<p>Now living in Florida with her husband and extended family, she even teaches her friends her innovative takes on Italian classic dishes. Everyone wants and invitation to her Italian Sunday feasts she makes for 8-14 family members, and everyone gets to pick their favorite dinner for their birthday celebration. Her Mother Louise has finally left NY and is living nearby, and they love cooking and baking together, especially for the traditional holiday meals. She learned everything about being a gracious hostess from her mom, and they even catered a large wedding for 65 guests in their backyard when her cousins came to America from Italy to get married!</p>
<p>Michele’s love for her heritage and family continues to drive her knack for entertaining, decorating and cooking. Instagram is another place where she shares her recipes, and she has a great following for her handle <a href="https://www.instagram.com/michele7533/"><u>@michele7533</u></a>. Make sure to stop by her page for inspiration and her authentic stories through her eyes and her food! Casa Michele’s kitchen is a special place that you can visit through her page!</p>


Michele Sessa

Whole fig olive oil cake with fresh figs and sliced almonds baked into the top

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<p>Part reporter, part pasta enthusiast, and always in search of a good story, the Appetito Editors bring readers the latest happenings in food, travel and Italian culture.</p>


Appetito Editors

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<p><a href="https://www.sarahhallier.com/">Sarah Campise Hallier</a> is the associate editor of Appetito Magazine and co-founder of <a href="https://www.forkboundfoodies.com/">Forkbound Foodies</a>, where <span class="wixui-rich-text__text">she shares exceptional culinary and travel experiences</span>.</p>
<p>She is also a board member of Poggioreale in America Inc, a nonprofit committed to preserving the history and cultural heritage of Western Sicilians and their diaspora. Featured in Italy Magazine, The Local IT, la Repubblica, and We the Italians, Sarah enjoys covering everything from cultural identity to the evolving Italian-American food experience.</p>
<p>A California girl at heart, when she’s not crafting food, travel and wellness stories, she’s chasing down the best foodie finds on her travels and sharing them at <a title="https://www.instagram.com/foodiesfromca/" href="https://www.instagram.com/forkboundfoodies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@forkBOUNDfoodies</a>.  Subscribe to her <a href="https://www.sarahhallier.com/about-1">newsletter</a> to keep up to date on the best places to eat, stay and tour.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


Sarah Campise Hallier

Dinner by candlelight at Glorietta. Photo credit: Patty Schmidt of Forkbound Foodies