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I'm Melissa!

A Food Network chef + mama obsessed with travel, and mouth watering food. I also own a gorgeous cooking school in Italy. My mission? To share the secrets of La Dolce Vita so you can create a healthy, beautiful, delicious life filled with joy!

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I cannot tell you how many messages I received yesterday after my bikini post, asking this question. So I figured I’d share my answer with you here. ⠀

Some of you that have been following me for a while, know that I have a home in Italy and I spend around 4 months of the year there. And I love pasta, pizza, bread, and cheese.⠀

But here is the thing, when I’m not in Italy I make all doughs for these fresh using Italian 00 flour. Right now I’m about to make my Shabbat challah and I’m also using 00 Italian flour.⠀

The flour in the USA has a chemical that our body cannot digest and it is the reason people have a bad reaction to products containing gluten. So try switching up your flour and baking your own bread. Let me know if you see a difference in the way your gut reacts to home-baked bread.

I also love good quality cheeses from Europe like Greek feta, Italian mozzarella, Parmesan and burrata, and Dutch Unikaas but I don’t buy USA cheese or milk in America. I hope that helps.

And keep sending me your questions.

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I'm Melissa, your host & tour guide.

A Food Network chef, author, mamma, eternal optimist, wannabe-mermaid, spice mixologist, and “dough therapist” (yep, it’s a thing)—

I'm also the founder of Susina Cucina, the gorgeous, Italian cooking school I manifested into my reality. I’m obsessed with Aperol spritzes, travel, and mouthwatering food… especially pizza and pasta.

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Ciao Bella,

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The Magic of Italy
without the planning

Explore

Food Netwok Chef, Melissa is dishing up delicious food and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for your soul.

find out more →

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