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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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.
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.
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.
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.
Learn more about Cara at her <a href="https://www.caradifalco.com/">website.</a>
Follow her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/caradifalco">Instagram.</a>

Cara Di Falco

Features

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

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-casella-00081140b/">Chef Victoria Casella</a> is the founder, owner, and pastry chef and recipe developer of the award winning <a href="https://www.pasticceriaumami.com/">Pasticceria Umami</a>, the first company to focus on Italian Japanese fusion desserts. She also serves as Chef Lead and Culinary Instructor at Sur La Table. With family roots in Sicily and Basilicata, her work is driven by a deep love for Southern Italian culinary tradition and a passion for introducing regional Italian desserts to a wider audience. She is currently developing her debut cookbook, Pasticceria Umami: The Art of Italian Gelato, a collection of original and authentic Italian gelato and frozen dessert recipes elevated through quiet Japanese ingredients. To stay up to date with the cookbook and explore her recipes, visit her website.

Chef Victoria Casella

Sicilian-Style Lemon Yuzu and Fennel Gelato

The Southern Italian Desserts You’ve Never Heard Of

Silvia Davi is a multidimensional C-suite executive, entrepreneur, contributor, and board 
member, with a background that stems from leadership roles at Fortune 500 organizations, 
global consultancies, start-ups, and nonprofits. With a speciality in innovation, global marketing, 
corporate communications, business development, global partnerships and investor relations, 
and a deep passion for history, the arts and culture, Silvia is the Founder of <a href="https://www.vs-strategic.com/">V&amp;S Strategic Consulting</a>.

Silvia Davi, founder of Renaissance Minds.

Silvia Davi

The Art of Balance: AI Executive Ben Bellettini

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliethallier/">Juliet Hallier</a> is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin studying communcations and entrepreneurship. An aspiring writer, she hopes to build a career in PR, combining her interests in communication, storytelling and creative strategy. Outside of school and work, she loves spending time on the lake, discovering new coffee shops around Austin, traveling, and, of course, searching for the best gluten-free restaurants.

Juliet Hallier

Gluten-free pizza topped with sausage, basil and cheese at Baldinucci Pizza Romana in Austin.

Where to Find the Best Gluten-Free Pizza in Austin

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>.

Andrew Cotto

Danielle Caminiti on the set of "100 Cooks."

Danielle Caminiti on Being One of Food Network’s “100 Cooks”

Samuel Ghelli is an Italian scholar and educator based in New York. He teaches and directs the Italian and Food Studies programs at York College, CUNY.

Samuel Ghelli

Bowl of onions illustrating the Italian expression vestirsi a cipolla, meaning to dress in layers.

Vestirsi a Cipolla: What This Italian Expression Really Means

<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 she shares exceptional culinary and travel experiences.
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.
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.

Sarah Campise Hallier

Aerial view of Urbino’s iconic Palazzo Ducale, with the rolling hills of the countryside in the background. (National Geographic)

Tucci in Italy Season 2 Recap: The Magic of Le Marche 

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

Appetito

Recipes

Sicilian Lemon Gelato With Yuzu and Fennel

Alyssa Smolen, MS, RDN, CDN, is a community dietitian, nutrition content creator on Instagram, freelance writer and recipe developer. She has been quoted as a nutrition expert in Food Network, Martha Stewart Living, Food and Wine, Forbes, Parade and US News and World Report. Her work has been published in EatingWell, Dietitian Connection and Today’s Dietitian. Work. Alyssa’s account, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/arugalyssa/">@arugalyssa</a>, promotes simple recipes and is a source for myth-busting nutrition misinformation. 
Find Alyssa online at: 
<a href="https://www.arugalyssa.com/">Website</a>
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@arugalyssa?_t=8lC6fE8Ykpf&amp;_r=1">TikTok</a>:
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssasmolen/">LinkedIn</a>

Alyssa Smolen

“Ceci Ceci” Chickpea Bean Salad 

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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.
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Alongside her academic work, she writes accessible, storytelling-driven features that connect readers with the people, landscapes, and cultures behind Italian wine.
Follow Jessica <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jesscocco22?utm_source=qr">@jesscocco22 </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-holloway-53170334/">LinkedIn</a>
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Jessica Holloway

Teresa Mincione in vineyards in a long green and white dress