Breaking Bread in L'Aquila (Italy)

L'Aquila, a region of Abruzzo Italy.

A town, I must confess, I have never visited.  But one of which I have heard often.  My dear friend, Maria Filice, speaks of L'Aquila lovingly and, with smiles.  Always with smiles.  It is the hometown of her late husband and a place where they shared many memories. 

On April 6, 2009, there was a devastating earthquake in L'Aquila.  As you can imagine, my friend was concerned for her friends who live there, and quite saddened at the damage. 

One year later, on April 6, 2010, the first anniversary of the earthquake, Maria's first book will be launched, Breaking Bread in L'Aquila. Maria was greatly distressed for the people of L'Aquila and vowed to publish a cookbook in their honor. My friend has the most sincere heart and gives out a great deal to those around her.  And, she has always been a fabulous chef with an innate talent.  I spent Thanksgiving 2008 with her and was overwhelmed with her ability to come up with a recipe idea, blend a few ingredients, and serve up the most scrumptious meals I have ever tasted outside of Italy.

Read, in Maria's own words, the background of this wonderful cookbook and why her marketing campaign is based on a promise she made to an elderly woman there in L'Aquila:  "We Have Not Forgotten." 

Available April 6, 2010.   Pre-order your copy!

Maria is donating the net profits of this book to help re-build this beautiful city. 

Also, check out Maria's blog, Food and Fate.

About the Author
Maria Filice, first-time author and food stylist, is a first-generation Canadian-American Italian. Maria grew up following her Calabrian family’s old country values. She learned from the best—her mother, grandmother, and aunts—whom she watched from the time she could barely walk. While she observed her relatives cooking together, with a little of this and a little of that, she listened well.

Today, her relatives and friends are delighted as she entertains them in her kitchen with her storytelling and her cooking. In both her kitchen and her professional life, Maria’s philosophy is to live life to its fullest. Her lack of formal training cannot diminish her passion or dissuade her from taking risks with her cooking. In truth, her fresh eye has allowed her to excel. Her natural flair for food styling reflects her personal style and demonstrates how a simple recipe can look beautiful.

Maria’s warmth, humor, and gregarious personality always make guests feel motivated to discover their own style in the kitchen. Today Maria Filice resides in Upstate NY as publisher of Telos Press, as well as publisher, author, and food stylist for Food and Fate Publishing.