Love—true passion—for my craft was not a “bolt from the blue.” It was born with me; it runs in my blood. My grandfather passed it on to my father, and my father, in turn, handed it down to me. If I were to recount how, from early childhood, I was drawn to this work, showing a curious interest that often amused my family, it would sound like a fairy tale. And yet, it is not a fairy tale.
I transformed the small bakery founded in the early 1900s—always here, on Via Merulana, a place I have never wished to leave, and where today the shop windows of my “Forno” look out. Here I took my first steps into the world of bread; here I grew and perfected my skills, day after day. From here I set out to rediscover old recipes and learn new techniques, always searching across the world for both confirmation and innovation. The results I have achieved are tangible proof of my love for this profession.
And it comes as no surprise that, as a true Roman (“romana de Roma”), I allowed myself to be carried away by the reading of numerous ancient texts, rich with detailed descriptions of the sumptuous feasts so typical of ancient Rome. These readings enabled me to recreate today certain delicacies that are decidedly original and often quite curious, yet always excellent and suited to the most refined palates—recipes I take great pleasure in sharing with friends.
Another great satisfaction of mine was the revival, from 1988 to 1998, of the “Festa del Pane” (Bread Festival), inspired by an ancient Roman tradition. Within this event, in 1997, the “Cerere 2000” prize was introduced, crowning one of the youngest women devoted to the magical art of breadmaking. This initiative was meant as a positive contribution “in the feminine”—an invitation to young women to approach this ancient craft with love, as it can offer an original, rewarding, and secure future.
The “Festa del Pane” counted among its collaborators the Archeoclub of Rome and stood out as an event of profound cultural depth, with the participation of renowned artists and intellectuals and the involvement of national and international institutions.
For all these reasons, when the organizers of “Cerealia” asked me to join the new Festival project—bringing back to life, in a renewed, richer, and broader form, the spirit that had animated the “Festa del Pane”—I embraced this new adventure with genuine interest and enthusiasm.
