Caterina  

I love hearing everyone's story. Where are you from? Why did you start doing what you do? It's fascinating because it often involves a long journey with many twists and turns. We'll get to know each other better over time, but here's part of my story.


Growing up with an Italian father who did all the cooking, I was treated to delicious homemade Italian food every day until I was eight. Then, circumstances changed, and I experienced times of food insecurity and years where my diet mainly consisted of fast food and junk food.

In my early twenties, I was sad and overweight. I realized I needed to change my eating habits, and I longed to learn how to enjoy delicious food while maintaining a good weight and health. The problem was, I didn't know how to cook.

Recipes confused me. I didn't understand all the ingredients and must have missed the memo: Read the whole recipe before you start. Who knew a whole chicken takes a day to thaw? I regretted not paying attention when my dad brought me into the kitchen, and now he wasn't around to ask. I was on my own trying to figure out how to cook and eat well.

Then, a dream came true. I moved to France in 1989. It was during my first meal in Paris, in a cozy bistro by the Seine, that my life changed forever.

I remember the meal like it was yesterday: cream sauce with morels, dark chocolate ganache melting in my mouth, and the aroma of Calvados. The exotic combinations of flavors were new and exciting. The food was decadent, but what happened at the table was even more memorable. After a four-course meal including an apéritif, dessert, and digestif, I didn’t feel full or regret my indulgence—I was in a state of pure bliss. My dinner companions, who had started as strangers, now felt like old friends.

My first meal in Paris marked the beginning of my journey to learn how to eat for my health and pleasure. As I watched the French eat bread, cheese, cream sauces, and desserts, I wondered how they stayed thin. It seemed like they never denied themselves anything and enjoyed the pleasure of their food without feeling guilty. I wanted this too.

My first meal in Paris marked the beginning of my journey to learn how to eat for pleasure and for my health. As I watched the French eat bread, cheese, cream sauces, and desserts, I wondered how they stayed thin. It seemed like they never denied themselves anything and enjoyed the pleasure of their food without feeling guilty. I wanted this too.

With this new lifestyle, I accidentally lost 20 pounds and twenty-five years later, the weight has never returned, even though bread, cheese, butter, and dessert are often on my menu. It brought my children to the table to learn to appreciate food and eat like adults and allowed my family to connect on a deeper level. This daily routine of coming to the table has washed away mountains of stress and thwarted my workaholic tendencies, keeping me in balance physically and mentally and allowing me to experience fun and joy every day.

It's easy to see why I have remained committed to maintaining these habits through many stages of life, including while I was single and cooking for one, and while working a demanding job and raising three sweet children who pushed me to the limits to find ways to create meals that everyone would love.

I have maintained this commitment for over thirty years. I found the perfect recipe to take the stress out of preparing meals and eating well for health and pleasure. I will share what I have learned and taught others like you so you can enjoy eating for pleasure, your health, and happiness. It's one of the best investments you can make.

My first career is as a financial planner. Over the past thirty-two years, I've helped people secure their financial health and create a legacy through wealth. While money is important, good health, happiness, and a legacy of connection are more valuable than any wealth, and it all starts at the table.

I am glad you found your way here, and I believe we were meant to meet. Stick with me. You are about to embark on a delicious journey that can be a game-changer for your health and happiness.