My name is Laura, I am an Italian living on the French Riviera, a fusion of the great Mediterranean cuisines.
Jump to:
- Early Influences and Learning
- My Cooking Philosophy
- Cultural and Historical Connections
- International Experience
- Family Life and Memories
- Building your own memories
- Your Guardian Chef voice
- Interesting Facts About Me
- Media Engagements and Collaborations
- Education:
- Publications:
- Press Features
- Awards and recognition:
Early Influences and Learning
Cooking is an artistic expression, and like any form of art, you improve with practice. So I have been practicing since the age of 5!
To better her skills, my mother took four Cordon Bleu Courses in Rome: Corsi di Cucina Amatoriale Cordon Bleu , and as a child growing up, I learned from her.
My favorite recipes I practice with my mother are the different variety of homemade gnocchi like fluffy gnocchi, gnocchi alla Parigina, purple gnocchi and chestnut gnocchi, homemade pasta.
My Cooking Philosophy
I am not a professional chef, as my thirst for knowledge drove me into technical higher education and thereafter into a corporate career.
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Here you will find authentic Italian recipes, from a native Italian perspective.
Cultural and Historical Connections
To find out more about Italian cuisine and it culture you can check out the category: Italian Food Tradition: culture and history.
Growing up in Rome, and studying Civil engineering right next to the Colosseum, I know every corner of the town center and how it developed throughout history.
I share my knowledge in the articles: The Amazing Trajan's Ancient Roman Markets and A Historic Walk Through Rome Food Market.
International Experience
I left Italy when I was 28 but I still have my home in Rome and my family in Calabria which I visit frequently.
Before I settled in the South of France (only 30 miles, 50 km to the Italian frontier) in 2010, I lived in many different countries six at last count!
I lived 4 years in the USA (Connecticut and Miami), 5 years in UK (London), Norway, and France. I visited many other countries like Mexico, Japan, Brazil and China, so I know what it means to cook Italian food in a foreign country.
Because I love food and I am very interested in trying new cuisine, when I travel the world, I always spend time learning and understanding local food and cultural traditions.
It brings me back to my childhood and creates
Recipes that bring back my southern origins are fried pizza dough, honey balls Struffoli, Crispelle, cannoli and Pastiera Napoletana.
Family Life and Memories
Unexpectedly, my husband Robert passed away in August 2018. Memories are what I have left to cherish, and amazingly, most of our happiest memories are linked to food.
Building your own memories
Above all, this Blog is for you...to help you build your own memories.
Your Guardian Chef is here to help you, like a Guardian Angel!
If you are new to the blog: START HERE
You can also find me on: YouTube, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram or subscriber to my newsletter.
Your Guardian Chef voice
Starting in 2022, all the recipe videos are narrated by my dear friend Deborah Moore.
Deborah is an English actress who narrates in her warm voice all the steps you will need to follow to complete the recipes and reveal essential tips to make the recipes even better.
As a bonus, Deborah is fluent in Italian and will leave you with no doubt about the correct pronunciation of all the Italian names of recipes and ingredients.
Never mispronounce Bruschetta again!
Interesting Facts About Me
- My Italian last name is Giunta but because everyone outside Italy misspells it or mispronounces it I use my Irish husband's last name Tobin which is easy to remember, pronounce and write in all languages.
- I worked as a petroleum engineer on an oil rig in the North Sea
- I worked in the City of London as an investment banker associate
- I am a licensed sailing captain
- I was born brunette but become blond when my hair turned totally grey
- I lived in the United States for four years, Greenwich Connecticut, and Miami Florida
- I speak four languages fluently: Italian, English, French, and Spanish
- I have two chickens and one dog
- The only food I don't like is ketchup
Media Engagements and Collaborations
Cooperation With Food History Channel TV
Your Guardian Chef has started a new cooperation with the Food History Channel TV.
The Food History Channel TV is an English language television, but it hosts interviews, documentaries, films and reportage in all languages with English subtitles.
HFC TV offers a deep-dive into the science, history and cultural impact of food throughout time. It takes audiences on a mouth-watering, 2-million-year evolutionary journey beginning with our primordial ancestors, and closely examines the changing roles that diet has played over time.
The Smart Influencer podcast interview
As a guest on 'The Smart Influencer' podcast, I had the opportunity to delve into the business side of my work. Engaging in conversation with co-hosts Christina and Corinne was not only enjoyable but also incredibly affirming. We discovered our paths have been marked by similar experiences, and our exchange of ideas on progressing in the challenging realm of content creation was truly inspiring. It’s always enriching to connect and share insights with fellow entrepreneurs in this dynamic industry.
Eat Blog Talk Podcast Interview
I had an amazing time being interviewed on the renowned podcast, Eat Blog Talk, with the wonderful host, Megan Porta. Not only did we have insightful discussions, but we also shared some great laughs along the way!
During our conversation, we dived deep into the process of transforming a hobby into a full-fledged business. We explored captivating topics such as how to describe what we do and, most importantly, how we monetize our passions.
Dishing with Delishes Podcast Interview
It was such an honor to be a guest of Elaine Benoit in her famous podcast series Dishing with Delishes. We cried, and we laughed, we talked about success, failures, favorite food, and secrets behind my videos scene. "Put down your spatula and listen up...."
Education:
London Business School - MBA Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
Università degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza' - Master Civil and Environmental Engineers
Publications:
2016 - April - "Salvare il mare, il sogno di un bambino: Francesco Tobin"; L'Editoriale; Monaco
The story is about my son Francesco, how he developed his artistic talent and at 9 years old used his skills to make a difference for the seahorse and his environment in Larvotto Beach, Monaco.
2016 - January – ‘Lunch with LT’ in English and Italian; Italy Food Monte Carlo; Monaco
Michelin Star Chefs are coming for lunch...but I am the one who is cooking!
2015 - December - Volunteer Contributor to ‘In the Kitchen with Stars’ by Angela Van Wright, second edition published in support of the UNAKIDS Foundation; Monaco
Press Features
2016 - October: ‘How to make France's 'most-loved' dish: Magret de Canard’, TheLocal.fr
2016 - August: 'How to make France's famed Île Flottante dessert'; TheLocal.fr
2016 - August : 'How to make the tastiest ratatouille'; TheLocal.fr
2016 - May: 'How to make a traditional French cassoulet'; TheLocal.fr
2015 -November - ‘Challenging the Michelin Star Chefs to come for lunch’; L'Editoriale; Monaco
Laura invites four " Chef étoilé Michelin " for lunch at her home, to prove to her readers that even a home cook can entertain and satisfy the most demanding of guests.
Awards and recognition:
- HACCP
- Cannolo award
Companies I worked for:
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