What started as my dad opening an Italian bakery in NYC after moving from Sicily in the '70s has turned into a true family affair. Now, as a trained pastry chef, I'm bringing a fresh perspective to modernize the family business. A big part of my life revolves around the kitchen and my annual trips to Italy, which have been a tradition since I was 5 months old. These trips were my parents' way of teaching us about our culture, even though I am a born-and-raised New Yorker.