At the center of this culinary journey is Silvia Barban—an Italian chef whose story is deeply rooted in tradition, passion, and the belief that food is meant to bring people together.

Born and raised in Northern Italy, Silvia grew up cooking alongside her grandmother, Delia. Those early moments in the kitchen shaped her understanding of food not just as nourishment, but as a language of love, family, and connection. It was there that she discovered her calling: cooking not only for those closest to her, but for anyone willing to gather around a table.

A Classical Italian Foundation

Silvia trained at the prestigious E. Maggia Culinary School in Stresa, where she refined her technique and discipline. Her journey then led her to work with legendary figures of Italian cuisine, including Gualtiero Marchesi, widely regarded as the father of modern Italian gastronomy.

She later worked under Giancarlo Perbellini at a two-Michelin-star restaurant in Verona, where she deepened her respect for precision, ingredients, and culinary integrity—values that still define her cooking today.

New York: A New Chapter

In 2012, Silvia moved to New York to consult on the opening of Giovanni Rana Pastificio & Cucina. What was meant to be a short stay quickly turned into a permanent chapter. After two years as sous chef, her career in the U.S. flourished.

She was soon offered the role of Executive Chef at Aita in Brooklyn, where she led the kitchen with a philosophy centered on seasonal ingredients, simplicity, and a balance between tradition and creativity. Aita quickly became a beloved neighborhood restaurant.

Chef, Restaurateur, Storyteller

In 2016, Silvia competed on Bravo’s Top Chef (Season 14), further establishing her presence on the American culinary scene. After the competition, she partnered with her colleagues to open Larina Pastificio e Vino, a restaurant dedicated to handmade pasta and Italian conviviality.

Her cuisine reflects both Northern and Southern Italy, blending childhood memories, classical training, and years of exploration into food that feels deeply personal yet universally comforting.

Where Silvia Is Today

Today, Silvia continues to shape New York’s Italian food landscape through several projects. In 2024, she opened Briscola Trattoria in Crown Heights, a restaurant devoted to traditional Italian cooking and forgotten recipes, boldly embracing heritage dishes and authentic flavors. In 2025, she followed with Tortelli in Carroll Gardens, a pasta-focused space dedicated to fresh pasta and high-quality Italian products.

Alongside her restaurants, Silvia travels across the United States for pop-ups, festivals, and special culinary events, always bringing her deep respect for Italian culture with her.

How This Journey Began

My name is Alessia, and I am the founder and curator of this project, based in the Hudson Valley, New York, where I create authentic Italian food experiences rooted in tradition, connection, and a deep love for Italian culture. I first discovered Silvia through social media and was immediately drawn to her energy, authenticity, and profound respect for Italian food. I reached out to her and invited her to lead a cooking class at my store in the Hudson Valley, New York, not knowing that this first collaboration would mark the beginning of something much bigger.

That experience was truly special. Silvia was warm, generous, and inspiring, and from the very first moment it felt natural to work together. Beyond her talent as a chef, what deeply connected us was a shared vision of food as culture, memory, and togetherness—along with a mutual love for Italy, and especially for Calabria: its traditions, its people, and its soulful, honest approach to food. That initial cooking class laid the foundation for a collaboration built on trust, shared values, and the desire to create meaningful Italian food experiences—of which this tour is a natural evolution.

A Philosophy Rooted in Pasta

As Silvia often says, making pasta is more than a craft—it is memory, creativity, and connection. For her, pasta represents family, heritage, and the joy of sharing something handmade around the table.

This philosophy defines everything she does, from her restaurants to her collaborations, and it lies at the heart of this tour.

An Experience Shaped by a Person

Choosing this experience means choosing Silvia—her story, her perspective, and her way of living food and culture. It is a journey guided by authenticity, warmth, and deep Italianità.

Because in the end, what stays with you is not only what you tasted, but who you shared it with.