About Me

I am Vittoria, the founder of Pasta&Play. I created this space to bridge the gap between the precision of a busy professional life and the raw, visceral beauty of Southern Italian heritage.

The Roots: Sila Mountains, Calabria

Most people imagine my home region of Calabria as a place of sun and sand. But my childhood was spent in the Sila mountains—a landscape of green, wet winters and long, cold months. In my world, food wasn’t a hobby; it was how we survived the cold.

The annual ritual of 'u puorcu (the pig killing) remains my most visceral memory. As a child, I was captivated by the intensity of the work—a week spent turning an animal into the sausages and preserves that would feed us for a year. That hard labor gave me my first sense of utility and role. It was here I learned the "zero waste" philosophy long before it became a trend.

The Corporate Detour: London & Law

I followed the path that made others proud: a Law degree, a Master’s in International Relations, and a career in London as a tax advisor. But while I was building a life that looked "right" from the outside, I was disappearing inside. By the age of thirty, I was consumed by anxiety and panic attacks.

It was only through motherhood, therapy, and a return to the kitchen that I found my way back. I realised that the corporate world offered structure, but the kitchen offered healing.

Pasta&Play: Soul Over Scale

The Mission: Reclaiming the Table

Founded in 2015, Pasta&Play began as a challenge to the prejudice that a career in food is a "downgrade." I realised that my grandmother’s kitchen was a microcosm of a larger, unspoken history—where generations of women used food as their only language to survive poverty and maintain identity. My mission is to give justice to these stories and to prove that the kitchen is not a step down, but the beating heart of our human history. In an increasingly digitalised and isolated world, I believe food is the ultimate sanctuary. It is the tool that saves us, reconnecting us to our senses and to each other.

What I offer is not just a cooking class; it is a sensory journey.

  • Elevated Authenticity: My style is a blend of high-end London chic and the raw reality of a Calabrian kitchen. I am just as comfortable in a sequin skirt as I am in my chef whites.

  • Curation as Art: From hand-drawn menus to vintage linens that belonged to my Nonna, every detail is an intentional act of storytelling.

  • Sustainability of Intent: Supporting local Putney producers and using high-quality tools that last a lifetime.

The Future: Where We Are Heading

Today, Pasta&Play is evolving. I am moving toward the intersection of food, art, and the fashion world. My vision is to create intimate, high-impact gatherings for brands and individuals who value authenticity over mass consumption.

My Current Pillars:

  • Fashion & Creative Collaborations: Curating sensory-led food experiences for brand launches, showrooms, and retreats.

  • The Academy: Specialised workshops for anyone seeking heritage and elevated training.

  • Storytelling: Exploring food as a lived experience—raw, visceral, and at times, political.

I want to prove that you can build a famous brand without losing your soul. I want to document the “quiet courage” of those who cook for survival and give the dignity they deserve to the humble traditions of the South.

Step Into the Kitchen

The conversation continues on my Substack, where stories simmer and the flavours of Calabria leave their mark.