Jasmine

Name: Jasmine Senaveratna (Senaveratna means Beloved Warrior)

What city were you born in?  

Baltimore, Maryland

What decade where you born? 

1980's

Three things you remember most from the first decade of your life?

1. My cousin holding my hand in Paris on a rainy fall day on the way to get a cake for my birthday.  I remember walking on the leaves -- I was turning 5-years-old that day.

2. Waking up before my dad and trying to cook myself an egg, but it ended up looking like moon food. It was as far away from food as humanly possible. 

3. I remember being in Sri Lanka. My Dad and I liked to swim really far out in the ocean, and I remember swimming so far that when I looked back to the beach, my Mom was just a dot. I was courageous enough to get there, to the middle of ocean, but I remember thinking, 'MOM IS A DOT!'

What is the dessert?  

My mom's cheesecake.

Who would you want to eat this dessert with ?  

My Dad.

Where would you want to be eating this last dessert?  

On a trip somewhere on an island. Maybe my father and I are sitting, talking for a long time - maybe at sunset.

What comes to your mind when I say the word FOOD?

Warmth.

What is the best piece of advice anyone has given you?

In life, don't let time beat you to the finish. 

Profession: 

General Manager for Food & Hospitality

What is your favorite object I can find in your kitchen?

My wok is my everything!

Favorite quote?

"Be the change you want to see." 

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

I see myself living near a beach or mountains. I have a restaurant, bar, or Bed & Breakfast and have delegated most of the responsibilities. I'm gardening, I've built my wine cellar, and am doing Sunday Suppers and a F**k ton of traveling. 

Three most important things in your life?

1. My friendships and my relationship - my family of friends.

2. Good wine

3. Sade

Paolo

Name: Paolo Armao

What city were you born in? Turin, Italy

Decade born? 1980's 

Three things you remember most from the first decade of your life?

1. The sound of the 80's (that I don't really love) but something that influenced that moment of my life. Electronics available for everyone - analog to digital. 

2. This little garden that I was going with friends at 6-yrs-old.  Exploring and hiding and creating our own world - something that absolutely shaped the way I am. Hiding, discovering, researching - trying to find new ways to enjoy the same space - something I do in my everyday job now - same approach - always finding new ways to feel stimulating new visions. 

3. Arrival of the video game - ATARI !  Enjoying with my brother - we were so excited.

What is the dessert?  Cannoli Siciliani

Who would you want to eat this dessert with and why?

I think it would be my dad. I'm very connected to Cannoli. 

Where would you eat this dessert?

Definitely in the small village near Palermo called Cinisi. It's very relevant for my family because my Aunt used to live there - she is passed away now. The feeling I had there was of entering a far west city. It's a half abandoned city with few people walking outside, very hot and there is a little church with brown bricks. Everything looks burnt by the sun. 

What comes to your mind when I say the word Food?  

Love and Intimacy

Profession:

Freelance Sound Designer

What is the best piece of advice anyone has given you?

Always have something to search and always someone to love - my Great Aunt Dina told me that.  

Favorite object I can find in your kitchen?

Brown rice tea that I bought in Tawain.

Favorite Quote:

"the only way to know for sure how far to go is to experiment with going too far" - Randy Thom

Where do you see yourself in 20 years ?

Honestly I don't really know where because part of the career I chose - it is possible only if you face it day by day. I love it but it's like walking in the mountains - don't look up or down - just keep walking forward. I love this feeling. I definitely want to have a family and kids and have that energy and try to deliver all the things that I learned to pass that information. 

Three most important things in your life?

1. Passion

2. Sound

3. Being present

Ornella

Name: Ornella Costanzo

What city were you born in?  Messina, Sicily

What decade where you born? 1970's 

Three things you remember most from the first decade of your life?

1. The view of the square from my grandmothers balcony which is a square on a little harbor where I grew up.  

2. The hat and the umbrella of my grandfather in his studio. A room that was just for him and forbidden for us. He would type and read in there. 

3. The floor of the ocean where it would start to get deeper. We called it "the blue".

What is the dessert?

 Granita Caffe con Panne e Brioche

Who would you want to eat this dessert with and where?  

For sure with my family in a bar near the sea at a table with many, many people eating.

What is the best piece of advice anyone has given you?

Not really an advice, but like encouragement from my Uncle who is dead now. He was a very creative person and open- minded without stereotypes. I didn't see him so often because he lived far away so we saw him only once a year. Each time he would encourage me to follow my path and trust my creativity. He encouraged me to not be scared. I think if he were here today he would say -  Don't be scared!

Profession:

Multimedia Producer.

What is your favorite object I can find in your kitchen?

My wooden credenza. If you can't find something in the kitchen you know it's probably in there. If you look in there for sure you will find what you want. 

Favorite quote?

"A person without creativity is an incomplete person." - Bruno Munari

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

I don't see myself in only one place. I see myself  in a position like a bridge. My life half in a place and half in another.  Half  in Italy for sure. Maybe I hope in the South of Italy and the other completely open in a worldwide vision. I think really far like Africa or South America. I need something very wild. I don't know how to build this but I would like these two possibilities. 

Three most important things in your life?

1. Creativity

2. Love

3. People

Clara

Name: Clara Iannarelli

What city were you born in?  Bari, Italy

What decade where you born? 1970's 

Three things you remember most from the first decade of your life?

1. My House of Barbie - which was an open building of 3 floors made of paper, with an elevator moved by a rope! Interior design was my passion since childhood.

2. My grandma making fresh pasta and it being made with the Mattarello (rolling pin).

3. A beautiful orange Brionvega Radio Cube. It was always in either the kitchen or on the terrace while we ate. 

What is the dessert?

 Torte di Mele e Nocciola with Whipped Cream  (Apple and Hazelnut Cake)

Who would you want to eat this dessert with and why?  

With my friend Julia because she's so fond of dessert it would make the experience of eating that dessert more enjoyable and tasty. 

Where would you want to eat this last dessert?

In this kitchen. 

What comes to your mind when I say the word FOOD?

Joy and Enjoy. 

What is the best piece of advice anyone has given you?

Keep on being yourself. Several people in different situations have said this to me. 

 Profession: 

Freelance Copywriter, Public Relations and Tour Guide through different parts of Europe for American senior citizens. 

What is your favorite object I can find in your kitchen?

Traditional Apulian Ceramics - specifically little cups made in Grottaglia. 

Favorite quote?

"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Ghandi

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

I see myself as a Life Coach and leader for personal growth and living somewhere in Italy. 

Three most important things in your life?

1.  The research of my own authentic nature

2. Family

3. Friends

LEA

Name: Lea Anselma 

What city were you born in? Savigliano (CN), Italy

Decade born? 2000's

What are three of your favorite memories from when you were really little until now?  

1. A trip to a small hidden waterfall in Umbria near Ananda, Assisi (Yoga retreat center).

2. My first tooth that fell out.

3. Camping at Ananda Assisi's family week last summer (2016).

What is the dessert? 

Chocolate Mousse of my mom's.

If you had to share your chocolate mousse - who would you want to share it with and why? Or, would you want to eat it all yourself ?

 I would share it with my friends because I want them to try/taste it.

If you could live anywhere in the world when you are grown up where would it be?

Ananda  in Assisi.

What comes to your mind when I say the word Food?  

My Grandma's pasta al forno and making mousse au chocolate with my mum.

Is there is one piece of advice that your your mom or dad always says to you in how to be in life? 

 Never give up!

 What do you like better - being in the mountains or being at the seaside?  

Seaside!

What is your favourite thing I can find in your room?

 Spank - my stuffed animal. He sleeps, travels, and goes everywhere with me.

If you could be anything when you grow up what would it be? 

A singer or a bartender ( no comment by her mother) :) 

What is your very favourite book, song or movie (or all three )?  

Book: Diario di Nikki (Dork Diaries) Song: Titanium (oh mamma mia, should I be worried? comment by her mom), Movie: Ballerina

What are the names of your very best friends and whats your favourite thing to do together?

Rossella, Nives and Giulia. We like to play detectives together.

What is the best thing you know how to make and who taught you how to make it?
Bananas with chocolate topping. I made up the recipe myself.