Bologna, February 20, 2025 – The Cesarine community continues to be a unique opportunity for those who wish to change their lives by rediscovering their passion for cooking and hospitality. Among the many faces that make up this one-of-a-kind reality, the stories of Gabriella and Maurizio stand out—two individuals who have transformed their passion into an exciting new professional adventure.
Gabriella: From Daily Hard Work to the Joy of Hosting Guests at Home
Gabriella, 62, lives in Baveno, on Lake Maggiore. After a lifetime spent working in a supermarket and then in a hotel on the lake, she found a second chance through the Cesarine community. By joining Cesarine, Gabriella was able to turn her love for traditional recipes and hospitality into a rewarding activity that allows her to "travel the world" while staying in her own kitchen.
Today, in her cozy home with a breathtaking view of Lake Maggiore, she organizes cooking classes where she teaches her guests—mainly Americans, but also Australians, Canadians, French, Swiss, and Italians— how to prepare traditional Piedmontese dishes such as ravioli with butter and sage, vitello tonnato, and tiramisù.
"Every day is a new experience. I host people of all ages and nationalities, and through cooking, we travel together. It's a continuous cultural exchange that enriches both me and my guests," Gabriella shares with a smile.
Maurizio: From a Hairdressing Career to the Art of Home Cooking
Maurizio, 45, originally from Tuscany but now settled in Bologna, has always had a deep passion for cooking, passed down from his mother and grandmother. After years of working as a hairdresser, he found a new dimension in Cesarine—one that allows him to share the flavors of his homeland with guests.
"My passion for cooking began in childhood when I would help my mother and grandmother prepare fresh pasta," he recalls. Today, Maurizio welcomes guests into his Bologna home, teaching them how to make local specialties like tagliatelle and lasagna, as well as family traditions such as tortelli alla lastra and his grandmother’s homemade desserts.
"What I love most about Cesarine is the sense of community. We are not just cooks; we are a network of people who support each other and share experiences," says Maurizio, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "The connection with guests, the warm atmosphere, and the ability to pass down traditional recipes have made me fall in love with this new adventure."
Cesarine: An Opportunity for Those Dreaming of a Life Change
Gabriella and Maurizio’s stories are just two examples of how Cesarine can help transform lives. The Cesarine community offers a concrete opportunity for those who wish to reinvent themselves by sharing their passion for cooking.
With over 1,500 Cesarine and Cesarini across Italy, the platform provides authentic experiences for travelers and food enthusiasts eager to connect with local culture. Through cooking classes, food & market tours, and tastings, Cesarine helps preserve and promote Italy’s rich culinary traditions.
For more information, visit cesarine.com, watch the video and follow @cesarine__ on Instagram.
About Cesarine Cesarine is a food experience platform connecting travelers with Italian home cooks who organize authentic culinary experiences in their homes. Founded in Bologna in 2004, Cesarine connects travelers with passionate hosts who share their knowledge, traditions, and home-cooked meals. Offering hands-on cooking classes, traditional meals, and immersive food and wine tours, Cesarine has become Italy’s most widespread network of home cooks. For the platform, which originated under the shadow of Bologna’s Two Towers and now spans the entire country, the United States remains the main market, with over 30,000 guests in 2024. Following are Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Northern Europe (particularly Germany, France, and Switzerland). As a Slow Food Community and advocate of sustainable tourism, Cesarine preserves Italy’s culinary heritage while empowering local communities. Cesarine’s advisory board includes: Niccolò Branca, CEO of Fratelli Branca; Daniele Ferrero, CEO of Venchi, the Finalca Group of the Cazzola family, and CDP Venture Capital, Davide Maggi, executive director of the Digital Marketing & Communication Executive Program of the Bologna Business School, CEO of Home Food Srl, a Società Benefit, which owns the Cesarine.com platform, and the related Community of amateur cooks and chefs.