50 Comments
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Cheryl Selig's avatar

Your story telling ability and writing style that makes the reader feel like they are at your house could be a second superpower. Love reading your writing.

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

Thank you, Cheryl, this is such a beautiful thing to say, thank you! Since English is my second language I never give this for granted! Thank you

Nicki Sizemore's avatar

Such a beautiful essay, Giulia!

Elisabeth Luard's avatar

Made my day, Giulia! A lovely thing to read first thing in morning - warm and welcoming and just what we should all be doing! Thanks so much for the reminder.

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

Thank you Elisabeth! You are right, this is something we should keep in mind, the power of hospitality, how precious it is to be able to make people (all people) feel welcomed and at home

Claire Ruston's avatar

This was the loveliest thing to read first thing in the morning. Thank you!

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

Thank you, Claire! I enjoyed writing it, it left me with a warm cozy feeling

Life Lived Italian's avatar

Such a tremendous gift to possess, and one that's hard to acquire. Hospitality is one of those curious things that doesn't always reward greater effort-- sometimes a host that is clearly trying very hard only makes people uncomfortable. It's the seeming effortlessness (although it may in fact involve a great deal of preparation and work) that makes people relax, and puts the grace in the gracious host.

Rosalie A Rinaldi's avatar

Beautifully said.

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

That’s so so true! And you learn this with time. I used to overwhelm people with food and attention, then I understood that it is not quantity but quality. Instead of impressing my guests, I felt it was better to make them feel welcomed and seen in their diversity and preferences

Laura Itzkowitz's avatar

You definitely made my family and friends feel welcomed and at home during your cooking class! I knew everyone would love it, but growing up, I rarely saw my dad cook, so I was surprised to see him so enthusiastically chopping vegetables and rolling pici during your class. It was the highlight of our trip to Tuscany!

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

This is the power of food! It was so lovely to have your family and friends over for a class, we had so much fun!

Esmé Bijlsma's avatar

Yes, you know your superpower now. I agree, we feel at home with you and your house and family.

Love your newsletters. We are thinking of coming again to You in 2025.

My superpower is that i love to cook for others, taking care of others, making them enjoy

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

I’d love to meet you and your family again!

Kellie Krug's avatar

This is a beautiful newsletter and terrific stories of you and your family. The love comes through each word and photo you share about your family! You captured your superpower beautifully AND the love you have for good and sharing!! Thank you! I look forward to more stories!

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

Thank you, Kellie. There I’ll we more stories, I enjoyed writing this so much, it felt liberating and empowering

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

Thank you, Kellie. There I’ll we more stories, I enjoyed writing this so much, it felt liberating and empowering

Lisa Hay's avatar

I agree with your superpower! It comes across even in your newsletter! I also agree food is the best way to make people feel welcome and loved! My way of saying I love you to my people is to cook for them! I will have to think on what my superpower is…. That is a tough question.

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

I’d be curious to know if you came to an answer. Reflecting on our superpowers gives us a better understanding of what we can do to better other people’s lives

Lisa Hay's avatar

I think my superpower is encouraging and supporting others! After thinking on this question it seems to come natural to me to support others in their endeavors and encouraging them. I love to send gifts and notes to everyone just because and to let people know someone cares. I love helping my friends with small businesses and cheering others on with their projects and goals! I am an encourager 😊

Sosanni Valtsioti's avatar

lolol γεια στα χερια σου! health to your hands...these expressions sounds so strange when translated!!!! but its the most beautiful wish to someone who cooks and creates with their hands!

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

If I'll ever get a second tattoo, that's what I want to have!

Christina Mc's avatar

I have followed Giulia for many years, starting with her podcast “Cooking with an Italian Accent” which I would listen to for hours on road trips from my daughter’s house. I own her cookbooks and subscribe to her newsletter. I hope to meet her in person around that gorgeous yellow marble table one day soon on one of my frequent trips to Italy. I already feel like we’ve met before! Abbracci 🤗

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

Christina, let's hope to be able to meet soon! I'm always so glad to hear that someone discovered us through the podcast!

Jean Geller's avatar

You are correct, Giulia and we felt the magic of your super power! After two weeks in Tuscany and LOTS of wonderful experiences, yours stands as the best. We are cooking from your cookbook, teaching the grandkids to make orchiette, and loving following your newsletter. Thank you, again!

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

I'm so happy to read these words, Jean! and I'm delighted to know you'll be teaching your grandkids to make orecchiette!

Sosanni Valtsioti's avatar

Ah! What a wonderful post...I am writing to you from Greece, I must say that this post brought back memories from so many years ago...We were raised in a very similar culture to the Italian, which was built around the ideals of hospitality, and which naturally focused on the importance of family and togetherness and the role of food that held everyone together for generations!

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

ah, Greece, where everything began! I've never been to Greece, but having studied Ancient Greek for 5 years at high school, and having discovered that my DNA is for more than 30% from Greece, I feel a deep connection with it!

Sosanni Valtsioti's avatar

ancient Greek! and 30% DNA? You're Greek! lol...That's wonderful...Italy has so much in common with Greece, there is truly a deep connection. 'χαίρε και υγίαινε'! "cheers and be healthy!" as the ancients would say!

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

ahahah! I love this! Also, a friend once told me this Greek saying which I absolutely adore: Γεια στα χέρια σου! (I had to copy and paste it)

Domenica Marchetti's avatar

Incredible history of your family’s farmhouse as a place of refuge during the war. I can happily confirm that hospitality IS your superpower, my friend xx

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

grazie Domenica! siamo sempre felici di averti qui!

Sally Prosser's avatar

I identify so much with how hospitality is at the heart of your life. I love to welcome people to our home and “never knowingly undercater”! The way this runs through your family culture is amazing and inspiring.

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

Thank you, Sally! It took me years to recognise this red thread in my family’s history, but now I am so proud of it, and of my family!

Angela LaRocco Sopranzi's avatar

Such a pleasure to read. I agree with Cheryl, I think your writing is a second superpower. I can almost hear the laughter around the tables in the photos you posted. Grazie!

Giulia Scarpaleggia's avatar

Grazie Angela, I consider this such a great compliment! 🤗