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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

<p>Jesse Andrews is the owner of<a title="https://www.italyvacationspecialists.com/" href="https://www.italyvacationspecialists.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Italy Vacation Specialists</a>, a trusted travel company she has led for over 20 years, creating deeply immersive and personalized experiences throughout Italy for clients from around the world. She is a passionate writer and photographer who has as extensively documented and written about over 21 regions of Italy, with a particular focus on its lesser-known destinations and culinary traditions. Deeply committed to sustainable tourism, Jesse champions travel that uplifts local communities, protects cultural heritage, and encourages meaningful, respectful engagement. Based in Italy, she leads a team of over 15 professionals, all dedicated to helping travelers experience the country with depth, authenticity, and care.</p>


Jesse Andrews

View of Praia a Mare beach with palm trees, turquoise sea, and distant mountains on a sunny summer day in Calabria, Italy.

Travel

A Culinary Journey through Calabria and Basilicata

<p>Dame Amy Riolo is a best-selling author, award-winning chef, television host, and Mediterranean lifestyle ambassador. The author of 17 books, Amy was named Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy by the President of the Italian Republic. She has also been dubbed “The Ambassador of Italian Cuisine in the US” by The Italian International Agency for Foreign Press, “Ambassador of the Italian Mediterranean Diet 2022-2024” by the International Academy of the Italian Mediterranean Diet in her ancestral homeland of Calabria, Italy, and “Ambassador of Mediterranean Cuisine in the World” by the Rome-based media agency <em>We The Italians</em>.</p>
<p>In 2019, she launched her own private label collection of premium Italian imported culinary ingredients called <strong>Amy Riolo Selections</strong> and include extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, organic pasta, and pesto sauce from award-winning artisan companies. Amy is the brand ambassador for Marra Forni and The Pizza University and Culinary Arts Center. She is the co-founder and director of A.N.I.T.A. (Accademia Nazionale Italiana Tradizione Alimentari) and an honorary member of the Associazione Regionale Cuochi Pittagorici.</p>
<p>The world-renowned food historian and culinary anthropologist makes frequent appearances on numerous television and radio programs both in the United States and abroad, including Fox TV, ABC, CBS, NBC, The Hallmark Channel, Nile TV, The Travel Channel, Martha Stewart Living Radio, Calabria Uno TV, Esperia TV and Abu Dhabi Television as well as many others. She began her on screen career by creating and appearing weekly in cooking videos entitled “Culture of Cuisine” which air on nationally syndicated news shows on 28 different channels across the United States, totaling a reach of over 300 million people.  Amy has also worked as an onscreen talent for many international organizations and companies.</p>
<p>As a respected culinary diplomat, Amy has created menus, culinary ceremonies, and educational seminars for diplomats, international chefs, and world leaders, earning her the title “The Cook to the Kings” by a Cairo newspaper in 2008. Known for sharing history, culture, and nutrition through global cuisine as well as simplifying recipes for the home cook, Amy Riolo is one of the world’s foremost authorities on culinary culture. She is the Chairperson of Les Dames d’Escoffier DC’s Global Culinary Initiative and often collaborates and travels to Italy with the Italian Trade Agency.</p>
<p>Learn more about Amy here:</p>
<div>Website: <a title="http://www.amyriolo.com/" href="http://www.amyriolo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.amyriolo.com</a></div>
<div>You Tube: <a title="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCef4LG_6bqRjzsJtjOAdCKQ?view_as=subscriber" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCef4LG_6bqRjzsJtjOAdCKQ?view_as=subscriber" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amy Riolo</a></div>
<div>X: <a title="https://twitter.com/amyriolo" href="https://twitter.com/amyriolo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@amyriolo </a></div>
<div>Facebook: <a title="https://www.facebook.com/amyrioloofficial/?modal=admin_todo_tour" href="https://www.facebook.com/amyrioloofficial/?modal=admin_todo_tour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amy Riolo</a></div>
<div>Instagram: <a title="https://www.instagram.com/aasriolo/" href="https://www.instagram.com/aasriolo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aasriolo </a>&#8211;</div>
<div>Pinterest: <a title="https://www.pinterest.com/amyriolo/boards/" href="https://www.pinterest.com/amyriolo/boards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">amyriolo</a></div>


Amy Riolo

“Calabria Through Storytelling” International Forum at Max Trattoria Enoteca in Calabria,

southern Italy

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

A Culinary Journey through Calabria and Basilicata

Culinary Storytelling in Calabria with Chef Amy Riolo