I write you from san francisco where I have been hiding out the last couple months. You may be wondering aren’t you supposed to be in florence telling us where to eat???Cognitive learning theory wikipedia giving tours? Quick backstory as to how my obsession with SF started then I’ll get back to my updates which include offering wine lessons in san francisco’s little italy/north beach.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia

In 2010- a year after I graduated with a degree in italian studies from UW seattle, the day had come where I could FINALLY pick up my shiny new italian passport at my nearest italian consulate which was in san francisco.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia so it was an excuse to make a trip out of it! Birds eye view of st. Peter and paul cathedral in san francisco’s little italy/north beach quarter

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Now that I am older and wiser (realistic) and aware that life is an unfair, mysteriously cruel game peppered with nuggets of beauty, I do count my lucky stars.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia moving to italy gave me a plethora of beautiful memories, harsh life lessons, life-changing meals, dear friends and a baby I cherish daily in the form of my tour business.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia toast at tartine in 2010 before toasts were the most fucking annoying thing ever, and my baby second cousin who is taller than me now <3

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Anyways back to that SF trip in 2010- after picking up my italian passport, subsequent days were spent with friends and family visiting its iconic sights, quarters and most importantly, eating all the things at tartine and bi-rite ice cream, after which I was sold on san francisco.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia not from bi-rite but proof that SF has a screamable ice cream scene

In the last couple years, I began to question my life’s next steps. I started to grow frustrated with daily life in florence.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia I questioned my happiness. I felt I had grown all that I could in florence. And I wasn’t interested in moving to another italian city. I thought- if I have to move again and start over, I’d rather be back on my west coast.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia

I felt apart of my identity was attached to living in italy and feared I would loose a part of my identity by no longer living full-time in florence.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia I was troubled at the prospect that perhaps I was taking for granted a life others wished for (i.E. A life in italy). Who would I do if I moved back to america?Cognitive learning theory wikipedia florence and working in italy is all I have known for the last 7 years.

So I thought about where I’d want to be in the US and revisited my puppy love for san francisco, jaunting back and forth during 2018.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia I decided at the end of my last jaunt which ended in january of this year, I wanted to give san francisco a chance (not just a couple months at a time) and put in the same blood, sweat and burrata I put into italy into expanding my horizons with this city, I want to bring what I’ve learned in italy back ‘home’ and promote what I love about italian culture.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia

No- it just means I’ve figured out how to make both my home. To me, italy has been mine since 2005 and I will always consider florence a home.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia thanks to things like airbnb (which has its issues for sure), I can keep my place in florence so I can travel freely. I will still jaunt back to florence throughout the year, so I’m not saying goodbye by any means.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia only now I consider san francisco my other home, call me a residence polygamist! I’ll see you again my florence in the fall!

I’ve put in my dues, I spent years (and gained several kilos which I’m currently torturing myself to loose) scouring the city to understand its food landscape.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia I spent years in the food & drink sector working my way up, starting with precarious work to writing and starting a business. Of course you never stop learning, my I believe I got all I could from florence.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia

The tours are still alive and kicking! Sign up for one should you find yourself in florence or bologna! The truth is people expand and grow- I started curious appetite tours as a one woman show (I worked insanely hard, bound to burn out had I kept that model forever) and it was only natural (and healthy) as an entrepreneur to expand into a team-driven enterprise.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia

Thankfully, I am able to continue thanks to an awesome network of colleagues on the ground- and of course lots of organization. I can’t begin to express my gratitude towards my colleagues in italy- they go above and beyond in keeping the ship powering through while letting me know when food starts to suck somewhere.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia I still spend significant time out of the year in italy, and I use that time to quality control both my dining guides and tours.

One of my goals in san francisco is to promote italian culture through special events and tastings.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia so for those of you in the bay area- I invite you to partake in some activities I have developed (like a really cool italian wine tasting lesson) and join some events I have in the works! (think italian wine paired pop-up dinners or negroni week events) I will always shout events/things out on instagram/facebook so be sure to follow along there!Cognitive learning theory wikipedia

After completing sommelier training, the synapses started to fire differently and I’ve tumbled deeper into the rabbit hole of wines. I finally begun to understand how to break down the complex world of italian wine simpler than I could before.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia I want to put this training into use with fun yet educational italian wine lessons in san francisco! Not stuffy classroom type lessons- I am determined to take the snobbery out of wine and will do my best with these guided italian wine tasting “sessions.”

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If you are in san francisco and would like to learn more about italian wine and food pairing basics, consider booking a lesson, or as I like to call them “session” with me!Cognitive learning theory wikipedia they are 2 hours long and are held at a wine tasting studio in the heart of north beach, san francisco’s italian district. While I understand the italian identity of north beach feels eroded, I hope to bring a microscopic bit of italy to it.Cognitive learning theory wikipedia