About Vinessa

Greetings! My name is Vinessa, the creator of Savvy Italian.  I grew up and raised my family in northern New Jersey. In 2017 I moved to Florida with my husband. Shortly after our move I published my first cookbook, Savvy Italian Recipes Fall and Holiday Favorites and most recently published Savvy Italian Sweets & Treats.

Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around food.  Whether it was coming home from school on a cold winter afternoon to the aroma of chicken soup on the stove or the sound of garlic sizzling early on Sunday morning before church, in preparation for our family dinner later in the day.

Preparation for holidays and special occasions took time and planning.  My mother was a master planner who wrote lists and had a “game plan” in place weeks in advance.

I have accumulated hundreds of recipes throughout the years, but most often prepare the traditional meals that my mother and grandmother cooked along with lighter versions of the originals.

Traditional meals aren’t necessarily complicated – in fact most Italian”peasant” dishes have simple ingredients and are easy to assemble.

I will share our traditional family recipes, and provide tips for freezing meals and preparing weeknight dinners, holidays and parties in advance.