Maria's Blog - Food & Fate

Amaretti, Biscotti, Pizzelli….Oh my!

By Maria Filice • December 18, 2010

Hi Everybody,

As a rule breaker…..I decided to create my version of the Gingerbread House with my delicous cookies from Breaking Bread in L’Aquila. I baked the cookies and with the help of my sister in law Maria, a brilliant and creative baker put the house together. I presented the Pizelli Palazzo on my monthly TV appearances on CHCH TV 11, Hamilton Canada.

Maria created the Pizzelli Palazzo, with the cookies and added a few more touches with chocolate torrone for the walkway. We added almond confetti (silver and white) for stones around the house. As Maria worked on the house, my gorgeous nephew Stefano and beautiful niece Amelia and I bonded over kareoke disco tunes “Funky Town” and “YMCA” ….wearing our funky hats, sunglasses and costumes. ps – I think Auntie Mary was having too much fun!

I also brought the Pizzelli Palazzo during my book signing at the Italian Canadian Chamber of Commerce (ICCO) XMAS Party. Gianni Bardini, Console Generale D’Italia was very impressed with the design and I’m honored to have a copy of my book at the Consolate Office in Toronto!

Before I forget…..I want to acknowledge Stefano’s suggestion to seal some of the holes with the icing sugar glue – thank you Stefano! Of course, Amelia helped with the snowmen designs……forgive me for not mentioning on TV !

This house can be made with your favorite cookies! Have fun and be creative!

a presto,

Maria

Save L’Aquila!

By Maria Filice • December 16, 2010

Hi Everybody,

Been out of touch breaking…..

Continued promoting my cookbook Breaking Bread in L’Aquila and glad to be back!

I wanted to share an article about the state of the earthquake devastation of L’Aquila and the region of Abruzzo.

Please read this article and support me with the purchase of my book Breaking Bread in L’Aquila.

FT.com/House & Home – Model Village

I was very honored in May when I was invited at Santo Stefano to present my book at Albergo Sextantio. The owner, Daniele Kihlgren restored the character of the village in Santo Stefano. I share the same passion as Kihlgren and look forward to seeing him in February!

a presto,

maria

The net proceeds of this book will be donated to the restoration efforts of the earthquake of L’Aquila.

Pizzelli Tornado!

By Maria Filice • December 7, 2010

Hi Everybody,

I didn’t realize my last blog was just a month ago. I’m back and revitalized …..

My daily funny….

As I prepare for three events later in the week, I baked biscotti and pizzelli for the events: biscotti (dried cranberry and pistachios) and pizzelli.

Did I mention that my cat, ‘Monkey J’ likes pizzelli (among other things: olives, soprasatta.

I lightly powdered the pizzelli with icing sugar, then sealing them in plastic bags……my cat, ‘Monkey J’ found his way through a bag of pizzelli! It’s too bad my camera is out of commission but there were at least 20 pizzelli all over the dining room floor. God bless the cat!

I’m heading out for flour, sugar, butter and cat food!

Women TIES Talk

By Maria Filice • November 17, 2010

It all started with one of food blogs: Stairway to Heaven’ly Eggplant, posted on: 2/19/10

It attracted a reader on Foodbuzz …….was it our shared love for Led Zepplin or eggplant …..

As a first time author, I reached out to SHIZUOKA GOURMET, to write a review about my book “Breaking Bread in L’Aquila”.

The review was picked up by a reader on “Google Search”

Sammy Dunham reached out to me. We share many things ….our passion for re-building L’Aquila and the region of Abruzzo)…..

We started to Skype talk from the UK and then Italy ….

The rest just snow balled like a nice bowl of pasta!

Success Strategies By Maria Filice on Social Networking

Nov 17, 2010

These success strategies come from Maria Filice, Publisher of Telos Press and Food and Fate Publishing, who presented them at the November 16th Women TIES Syracuse luncheon. For more information about Maria’s companies visit www.telospress.com or www.foodandfate.com.

Business Advice

Consider using interns to keep up with social networking. The more social media networking you can do on a consistent basis, the more connections you’ll make. But social media networking takes alot of time so dedicate a staff member or hire interns to help.

Make sure you blog frequently and your blog is tagged properly.

Google your audience/target market to find out what blogs they enjoy and what blogs you should be connected to.

To utilize Facebook to the maximum, Maria has multiple Facebook accounts – one for Marie Piccone, one for Maria Filice, one for her book Breaking Bread in L’Aquila, and one for her publishing company “Telos Press”. Each attracts a different audience. Don’t be afraid to create multiple facebook accounts to really be able to target your outreach and communication.

Use Skype to connect internationally and to make global connections that could lead to new and exciting business developments.

Remember social media networking and even social networking in person can open up the gateway to opportunities and people you couldn’t meet otherwise. Remember the rule of the six degrees of separation – you don’t know who you’ll meet, who knows the right person or the right company who can really catapult your business to the next level.

General Advice

Make sure to follow your intuitive and creative side and you will be successful.

To love what we do for a living means we wake up every day full of love and rejunenvation. It is a blessing.

Domenic Serio’s Fashion Show in Toronto

By Maria Filice • November 10, 2010

Hi Everybody,

My friend Sammy sent me a few samples to try! Smoked Ricotta and Peperoncino and smoked ricotta! If you are in the NY area, Eataly is selling Marcelli Formaggi not to mention some of the high end NYC Restaurants buy from them.

Bob Marcelli, the owner of Marcelli Formaggi included olive oil and honey. Bob imports world class from family who live in Anversa Degli Abruzzi.

smoked ricotta w/peperoncino and smoked ricotta

Sammy has visited the family and wrote a beautiful interview that you check out:

http://www.lifeinabruzzo.com/a-tasty-abruzzo-christmas-present/

http://www.lifeinabruzzo.com/ricotta-the-best-organic-italian-cheese-at-porta-dei-parchi/

A great idea is to adapt a “pecora”…..my

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anversa-Degli-Abruzzi-Italy/Adotta-una-pecora/35450811007

bob and plp are going on lifeinabruzzo once the new site is live with the ecommerce bit so that’s good…

Amaretti, Biscotti, Pizzelli….Oh my!

Save L’Aquila!

Pizzelli Tornado!

Women TIES Talk

Domenic Serio’s Fashion Show in Toronto

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