Meet Giancarlo and Veronica Palazzone, the Italian couple behind two of northern New Jersey's beloved Italian eateries.

The Italian Couple Who Came to New Jersey for Their American Dream

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<p>Emmy Nominee, Cara Di Falco is host and executive producer of the cooking series “Cara’s Cucina.” The first show of its kind to receive an Emmy nomination.  She is also a culinary expert appearing on QVC, as well as a TV and radio host in the New York metro area. Cara hosts a culinary tour of Italy, giving fans an opportunity to vacation with her and learn about her beloved heritage through its regional cuisine.</p>
<p>Born and raised in New Jersey, Cara is a proud graduate of Rutgers University and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She’s been featured in We the Italians, Where Women Cook, and The Italian-American Podcast.</p>
<p>On top of her 2018 Emmy nomination, Cara is a Columbian Foundation Honoree for 2023, the 2012 &#8220;Woman of the Year&#8221; for the Italian-American Policy Society of NJ, and the 2019 &#8220;Woman of the Year&#8221; for the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders.</p>
<p>Cara&#8217;s free time is spent enjoying nature, a good meal with friends and family, or snuggled on the couch with her dog Roxie.</p>
<p>Learn more about Cara at her <a href="https://www.caradifalco.com/"><u>website.</u></a></p>
<p>Follow her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/caradifalco"><u>Instagram.</u></a></p>


Cara Di Falco

Features

A Visit to Cucina Fresca, an Italian Market on the Jersey Shore

<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

The farmhouse at Agriturismo Santa Lorica in Sassetta. Photo by Monique Evdokiou.

Travel

Inside Agriturismo Santa Lorica: Farming, Food and Family

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<p>Jessica is a researcher, lecturer, and writer specializing in Italian wine tourism, women-owned wineries, and rural entrepreneurship. She is currently undertaking doctoral research exploring how women are reshaping Italy&#8217;s wine sector through innovation, storytelling, and a strong sense of place.</p>
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<p>Alongside her academic work, she writes accessible, storytelling-driven features that connect readers with the people, landscapes, and cultures behind Italian wine.</p>
<p>Follow Jessica <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jesscocco22?utm_source=qr">@<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif">jesscocco22 </span></a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-holloway-53170334/">LinkedIn</a></p>
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Jessica Holloway

Donatella Cinelli Colombini: The Woman Who Changed the Cellar

<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

Rosemarie Sparacio interviewing Dr. Joseph V. Scelsa, President of the Italian American Museum in New York, for "The Forgotten Feast."

Filmmaker Rosemarie Sparacio on “The Forgotten Feast” of San Gennaro

<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation">Carlo Treviso grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in film directing. Traversing the worlds of Hollywood and advertising, Treviso has written and produced commercial broadcast campaigns for well-known brands all over the world. The son of a Sicilian immigrant, Treviso enjoys bringing his passion and appreciation for Sicily to his readers. He is a proud advocate and supporter of conservation organizations UNESCO, LIFE ConRaSi, and World Wildlife Fund—all of which work to protect the beauty and grandeur of Sicily&#8217;s engrossing past, resilient culture, and vibrant biodiversity.</div>
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<div class="elementToProof">Author of <a id="OWA033949e1-3764-5716-3f8f-795769fe055d" class="OWAAutoLink" title="https://thesiciliana.com/" href="https://thesiciliana.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable"><i>Siciliana</i></a></div>
<div class="elementToProof"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/trevisoauthor/">@TrevisoAuthor</a></div>
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<div class="elementToProof">Substack: <a id="OWAa487b88f-a80f-0c20-4570-41f48f1b10d6" class="OWAAutoLink" title="https://theregno.substack.com/" href="https://theregno.substack.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable">𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘯𝘰™</a></div>
<div class="elementToProof"><a id="OWA18f8e03b-8aba-c818-b495-e16a15580510" class="OWAAutoLink" title="http://www.carlotreviso.com/" href="http://www.carlotreviso.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable">www.carlotreviso.com</a></div>
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Carlo Treviso

Cannoli filled with sweet ricotta. Photo by Adrian Balasoiu/Unsplash.

The Castle of Women and the Mystery of the Sicilian Cannolo

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<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Mira Cuturilo is an Australian writer and humanitarian professional who has spent more than 20 years supporting humanitarian operations around the world. While based in Rome with the United Nations World Food Programme, she took every opportunity to explore Italy’s regions, food and local traditions. She writes </span><a href="https://miragoestomarket.com/"><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Mira Goes to Market</span></i></a><span style="font-weight: 400">, exploring the world through its markets &#8211; the food, people and everyday life that unfolds around them</span></p>


Mira Cuturilo

Author Mira Cuturilo walks through Pisciotta. Photo courtesy of Mira Cuturilo.

Pisciotta and Mediterranean Life on the Cilento Coast

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News, stories, and recipes for anyone who loves Italian food, wine, spirits, and travel

Appetito

<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

Lowcountry Bella rolls semolina pasta dough into a long rope on a floured wooden board.

Recipes

Pasta School with Lowcountry Bella: The Other Side of Fresh Pasta

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<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Inbal Cabiri is a food and travel writer and photographer based near Barcelona. A former criminal lawyer turned storyteller, she&#8217;s certified in sustainable tourism and drawn to places where food, landscape and culture meet. You&#8217;ll find her in markets, family-run kitchens, wine cellars and old bookstores &#8211; anywhere locals is willing to explain what they eat and why.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><a href="https://inbalcabiri.com/en/"> <span style="font-weight: 400">Website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> |</span><a href="http://www.instagram.com/inbalcabiri"> <span style="font-weight: 400">Instagram</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> |</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/inbalcabiri"> <span style="font-weight: 400">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> |</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/inbalcabiri/"> <span style="font-weight: 400">LinkedIn</span></a></p>
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Inbal Cabiri

Wheels of Fontina DOP mature on wooden shelves in the Aosta Valley. Photo by Inbal Cabiri.