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

Appetito

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.
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.
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!
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/">@michele7533</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!

Michele Sessa

Italian fennel sausage roasted with apples, onions, potatoes, and fennel in a simple one pan tray bake.

Recipes

5 Ingredient Italian Sausage Tray Bake With Fennel and Potatoes

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.
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?
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.
Mandi loves to be a guest of events, signing books and donating a portion of her net proceeds to local charities. Her second cookbook, Mangia Y&#8217;all &#8211; Make Everyday Delicious, was released in July 2025.
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.
Mangia Y’all!

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

Lowcountry Bella

Blue-Zone Lemon Tuna Pasta with Garlic, Anchovy, and Parsley, topped with lemon and parsley in a white bowl.

Healthy Lemon Tuna Pasta Inspired by the Blue Zones

Paola Marocchi is a NYC-based pastry chef who has worked for some of the world&#8217;s most acclaimed chefs and restaurant groups. Her passion for Italian food was ignited from early childhood, growing up in an Argentinian household of Italian background that valued all things homemade and food as the main guest in any celebration. In her free time, she travels all over Italy mingling with locals and sharing in the culture, food, language and love for all things Italian.
Follow Paola on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/paola_marocchi_/">Instagram.</a>

Paola Marocchi

Pistachio hot chocolate with whipped cream and chopped pistachios served with pistachio cookies filled with white chocolate ganache.

Pistachio Hot Chocolate Recipe With Pistachio Cookies

Morgan Hines is a New York City-based contributor for Appetito. She loves learning about and experiencing Italian cuisine and culture. Morgan is a full time reporter at PhocusWire and also contributes to Hotels Above Par, Women&#8217;s Wear Daily, Footwear News, etc. She was previously a full time reporter at USA TODAY and holds degrees from Columbia University and Georgetown University. Follow her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/morganemhines/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@morganemhines?lang=en">TikTok</a> at <a>@MorganEmHines. </a>

Morgan Hines

Plated chicken parm on a wooden table, from Chef Georis from Maligne's.

Maligne’s Eye-Popping Chicken Parm Offers Massive Taste

<a href="https://linktr.ee/maxtucci">Max Tucci </a>is the 3rd Generation Partner &amp; Global Brand Officer for Delmonico’s, New York, Owner of TUCCI-New York, an Award-Winning Author, TV Personality, Host, Producer &amp; Philanthropist.

Max Tucci

Finished aspic plated and garnished with herbs

Features

Buon Natale: An Italian Aspic Christmas!

<div>Marianna Cuomo Maier is a National Board Certified Health &amp; Wellness Coach and the founder of <a href="http://www.gratawellness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.gratawellness.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1728582454046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw14YIpYbUloji2A2RHNVR0X">Grata Wellness</a>, where she empowers individuals to take charge of their health and cultivate joy through personalized coaching and engaging group sessions. Known for her holistic approach, Marianna leads transformative wellness workshops, events, and corporate wellness programs, utilizing an inside-out approach to foster growth and connection.</div>
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Additionally, she is the founder of the Emerging Leaders Council of <a href="https://italianlanguagefoundation.org/web/?doing_wp_cron=1700083117.0815899372100830078125" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://italianlanguagefoundation.org/web/?doing_wp_cron%3D1700083117.0815899372100830078125&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1728582454046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2FeA-IVf0wN2W3zmaUJHKj">The Italian Language Foundation</a> (ILF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to promoting Italian language and culture. Marianna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Yale University and a Master’s in Teaching from National Louis University.
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/gratawellness/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/gratawellness/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1728582454046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0-p1BOSwGT2LwCBFQH-Smv">Join Marianna on Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.gratawellness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.gratawellness.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1728582454046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3zJZn6DlYCdpYaedSJ9zYw">sign up for the Grata Wellness newsletter</a> for tips and inspiration. For personalized guidance, please email <a href="mailto:marianna@gratawellness.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">marianna@gratawellness.com</a> or <a href="https://www.gratawellness.com/booking-calendar/complimentary-30-minute-consultation?referral=service_list_widget" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.gratawellness.com/booking-calendar/complimentary-30-minute-consultation?referral%3Dservice_list_widget&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1728582454046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2pt-oFccDs6dDP44HSDO3D">book a coaching consultation</a> to begin your wellness journey today.
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Marianna Cuomo Maier

Rigatoni with Sunday Gravy, ricotta, basil, and sliced bread at Arthur & Sons

Chef Joe Isidori’s Family-Style Meatballs with Ricotta

Joe Isidori making Sunday Gravy in the kitchen at Arthur & Sons

Old School Sunday Gravy by Chef Joe Isidori

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.

Appetito Editors

A Cozy New Latte for the Season: illy’s Vanilla Clove Caffè Latte

News

Miami’s ViceVersa’s New Futurist Cocktails + Recipe

Bowl of Sicilian tapenade garnished with lemon and parsley beside rustic fig crackers on a wooden board.

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