Meet Jess

I grew up Italo-Americana. My Dad was Italian, my Mom Cuban-American. I spent half of my life here in the states, and the other half in Italy. I went to elementary and middle school in Italy, and high school and college here, in Florida. Every summer during my high school and college years, I spent in Italy. So I never got away from either culture. I finished school and then returned to Italy in 2012.

Then I met Francesco, my now ex, who was a sommelier of wine, olive oil, and cheeses. So I decided to follow his lead. I lived with him and his family on a property where we cultivated our own wine, olive oil, had 30 chickens, and a garden with anything and everything that was in season. This ignited my foodie passion.

Then in 2014, I received a phone call from a friend in Rome that said “Hey Jess, I know these two guys that just opened a food tour company, and are looking for a bubbly foodie.” I started the next day and was their only guide for the first year and a half, working two tours a day, six days a week. After six years of working for them, we were voted the #1 food tour in the WORLD by Tripadvisor and The NY Times. We had 14 guides working at that point. Then, COVID hit, and since our business solely relied on tourism, we were hit hard and fast. 

But here I am. I believe everything happens for a reason, so I’m excited to continue to keep sharing my knowledge and passion everywhere!