As an Italian and Sicilian American, I've always had a passion for cooking from the age of seven. Mom was employed as a nurse and Dad owned his own cobbler shop in North Andover, MA. Mom's interests were not in the kitchen, therefore, her food was very basic and often she would have me prepare dinners for the family while she was at work.​

While married and as a mother of twin boys, I owned and operated a small bistro and catering business called, La Petit Gourmet, in Milford Connecticut. I was a pioneer in "take home" dinners and far ahead of my time. As part of my theme, I also offered private home dinners for up to eight people whereby I had my wait staff dressed as French maids. ​

In 2013, when Gordon Ramsay's hit show Master Chef was seeking candidates, I was chosen as one of the one hundred to appear on television. Although a fantastic experience, I did not make it through to the $250,000 prize.​

Fast forward to 2020, and while trying to survive the shutdown from the pandemic, I reinvented myself and The Italian Diva was created. Not sure what exactly it was going to be, I marketed myself by approaching Williams-Sonoma stores offering cooking demonstrations. The idea took off and I began giving cooking lessons in my apartment.  The rest is history