Pici and Cantucci among the rolling hills of Val d'Orcia

Hi, I'm Martina, I'm 28 years old and I represent the third generation of my family. I live in the heart of the Val d’Orcia, just a few kilometers from Pienza, in the old farmhouse that belonged to my grandparents. This is where I was born and raised; here, where my grandfather Franco passed on to me his love, passion, and respect for our land, for nature, and for animals; here, where the skilled hands of my grandmother Livia prepare delicious meals for the whole family every day—simple, genuine dishes, but full of love and history. This is how my passion for cooking was born—naturally—with the desire to keep alive the ancient recipes handed down through generations and to celebrate the freshness and quality of the products our land gives us. All the ingredients I use in my kitchen come from our organic garden and our family farm: from tomatoes to basil, from eggplants to zucchini, the ‘aglione’ garlic that enriches our sauces, the flour from our ancient grains, our Chianina beef, our extra virgin olive oil, and our DOC Orcia red wine. So, surrounded by the aroma of slow-cooked ragù, a freshly baked cake, and homemade pasta, I’ll be happy to share the story of my family with you and reveal all the secrets behind the most beloved traditional recipes of our region.