Ciao, my name is Maria!

Growing up Italian shaped my love for food and flavors from an early age. The way we gathered around the table to share meals and conversation held so much meaning—deeply rooted in tradition and family.

When I was little, my sister Julie and I would spend a couple of weeks at Nonna and Nonno’s house over summer break. Born and raised in Sicily, she and Nonno immigrated here, learning English while raising a family and building a life in Canada. She brought with her the traditions of home, and during our stays, she passed them down to us.

Our days were filled with learning—how to crochet, tend the garden, camminata (walk) after every meal and, of course, cook. We made pasta, bread, pizza and cookies from scratch. We learned to count while doing and most of the time, measure with our hearts ❤︎

I idolized her in so many ways. Named after her, I felt close to her, connected, like we shared something special. Though she’s no longer with us, I often find myself thinking about those childhood moments. You’ll likely see some of her old cookware scattered throughout my posts—a small reminder of the love and tradition she left behind.

Although I only spent a couple of weeks each summer at Nonna’s house, the foundation of my upbringing was built at home with my mom and dad. My mom’s natural creative talents, delicious cooking and the way she managed raising four kids and my father (lol), was unwavering—she led with love, dedication, and a steady rhythm that never skipped a beat.

My dad worked in construction, providing for our family of six. He embodied hard work and craftsmanship, showing us that perfecting your skills wasn’t just about success—it was about supporting those you love. Though they shielded us from many of the struggles that come with raising a young family, they still gave us the space to explore, fail, and ultimately learn how to spread our wings.

As the eldest of four, I always felt a strong sense of responsibility to set a positive example for my siblings—Julie, Joseph, and Sabrina—by being hardworking, responsible, and strong. They’ve each taught me so much about life, and in many ways, I feel I’ve learned more from them than they have from me.

Years later, I got married, had kids, and eventually got divorced. While that’s a whole other story in itself, I quickly realized that sometimes life isn’t happening to you—it’s happening for you. The path you thought you were meant to walk may shift, not as a setback, but as a redirection toward the life you were truly meant to live.

Don’t get me wrong—being a single mom for 12+ years was not easy. But through the challenges, I gained wisdom, strength, and a deeper appreciation for the journey.

I’ve spent the last sixteen years building a successful creative agency Creativo Canada. Through it all, I’ve continued to adapt, learn, explore, and show up for my people.

Just when I thought that was it, She’s Italian started to evolve. What began as just another creative outlet—simply sharing what I made almost every day on Instagram—slowly evolved into something more. I was overwhelmed by the love and support from my family, friends, and followers, exchanging recipes in the comments and DM’s and proving that food truly connects us in so many ways.

At first, it was just a way to explore my creativity outside of work. A passion project I thought I’d have to put off for later. But then, a local media outlet reached out and asked me to be a host on their new platform, and I decided to be part of building a bigger community—and build a space where I could share recipes with all of you.

I’m living proof that even through life’s challenges, you can still make time for the things that bring you joy and peace. That you absolutely should make space for the things you love every single day.

So if you’ve made it this far, thank you—for being here, for supporting my journey, and for sharing in this love of food with me. Now, let’s see What’s for Dinner tonight!