Giuseppe

Giuseppe is an Italian native, born and raised in Rome, Italy. With paternal roots stretching deep into Southern Italy, and maternal ones reaching into Northern Italy, he grew up breathing the amazing cultural diversity of his beloved country.

He worked as a lawyer and served as a young city councilor in Rome. He eventually moved to the US, where he graduated from Columbia Law School, and practiced law in NY for several years. When he returned to Italy to get married at his family’s villa, surrounded by guests from all over the world, he re-discovered the beauty of his country. It was then that he realized he wanted to share this place, and his love for it with others. So, he left the large law firm life in New York, moved back to Italy for good, had three children, and started to promote the villa.

He then met an Italian American guy with similar passions and a similar dream of starting a food-related business in Italy. This guy, Mike, was a guest at the villa and so it was natural that they started talking, exchanging emails and ideas about creating this great business together and so, we embarked… and La Cucina Sabina was created.

Mike

Born and raised in St Petersburg, Florida among palm trees and sunshine. All his grandparents were Italian, and explains his deep attachment to his Italian heritage. After a successful 30 year career in the U.S. as an executive at a Fortune 500 investment firm, Mike decided to retire early to pursue his passions for travel, food, culture and everything Italian. During his tenure in the corporate world, he gained valuable experience hosting and planning conferences, incentive trips, reward travel and corporate retreats at exclusive locations throughout the U.S. These experiences fuel his love of creating memorable events and WOW experiences for guests. A dual U.S. and Italian citizen, Mike’s an avowed foodie and world traveler. While the US and Italy are his two favorite countries, he has a desire to see “everything” and so continues to travel to exotic locations. 

After a month-long visit to the villa in 2011, he and Giuseppe realized they both had a passion for sharing the rich culture of Italy. Thus the idea for La Cucina Sabina was born; to get to know the people, and get to know their food. Through La Cucina Sabina, Mike is realizing his dream of bringing Italian culture to others and splits his time between Rome and St. Petersburg, Florida.

Riccardo

Born and raised just outside of Rome in Palombara Sabina, Riccardo’s passion for food was first ignited in his family’s kitchen. With grandmothers who were exceptional cooks, a mother who carried on the tradition, and a grandfather whose local restaurant was a staple of the community, food has always been at the center of his world. As a child, his playground was the kitchen, where he learned recipes passed down through generations, and savored his favorite childhood snack, pasta al pomodoro, lovingly prepared by Nonna Giuseppina.

After pursuing studies in foreign languages, life consistently led him back to the culinary world. He started as a professional waiter, then a sous chef, and later trained in a Michelin-starred kitchen under the esteemed Pietro D’Agostino at La Capinera in Taormina. Riccardo’s expertise, combined with a deep appreciation for Italian culinary traditions, made him a natural fit for La Cucina Sabina.

Today, as co-host and chef, Riccardo finds absolute joy in sharing his passion and traditions with travelers from around the world. His hope is that through La Cucina Sabina’s immersive culinary experiences, guests are able to better understand and appreciate the flavors, traditions, and beauty of his homeland, turning meals into unforgettable moments.