By Celebrity Chef Maria Liberati, this bestselling book is the first in the series, recipes, menus and charming stories from her life in a town in the mountains of Italy,recommended by many well known chefs " Combination cookbook and a memoir about living in Italy and the pleasures of Italian food that makes a perfect gift. But the recipes are so delicious yo uwill want to try it first yourself!!"-Chef Tell Ehrhardt- 4 time cordon bleu winner As a former international supermodel,Maria Liberati never dreamed that she would go from being a fashion diva to a domestic diva. Ironically, while jet setting off to modeling assignments around the world, Maria became closer to the simplicity of life and food in the country setting of her family's vineyard in the mountains of central Italy. There she began to experience the real tastes of food that she remembered from her childhood.Soon she was being asked to develop cooking and wine pairing programs for tourists at vineyards and country farms in Italy. She also soon found herself being asked to coordinate the foods at many celebrity events in Italy.Her cooking programs are now in demand throughout the USA-especially in NY city and the Napa Valley. She is also a frequent radio and TV guest on mnay national programs to share her expertise and passion for her love of the simplicity of cooking authentic Italian foods. She is also well known for her elegant old world European style galas. And has been jet setted around the world for her expertise. Having been selected as celebrity spokesperson for Sparkling Cards- you can find her monthly entertaining tips at http://www.sparklingcards.com And is a regular celebrity judge at the International Pizza Championships on NY city and Italy.Maria now divides her time between the USA and Italy where she continues to work with many chefs on many authentic Italian recipes and finding interesting and unique ingredients and recipes. She also continues to work on her villa there, which like many of her special dishes, is taking some time,but promises to be well worth the wait. Her second book will be released in Nov 2006 and her TV show is in development Portions of the proceeds of every sale of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking is being donated to Gilda's Club (htp://www.gildasclub.org). You can find out more info on Maria at http://www.marialiberati.com Former international supermodel turned culinary/lifestyle personality- Maria Liberati- comes from a long line of expert italian chefs and bakers. her great grandparents ran a well known bakery in the Molise region of Italy, her great aunt became personal chef to memebrs of the royal family and her grandfather owned a vineyard that produced many well known cheeses, wines and other products in Abruzzo. She began studying with many well known chefs in Italy who assisted her in translating and reworking some of he family's recipes and developing some of her own. Soon she was being asked to present cooking programs for many fteh vineyards and country farms throughout Italy and found herself on TV there as well. Maria's cooking programs are in demand in teh US as well. She is also celebrity spokesperson for Sparkling Cards (www.sparklingCards) where she writes a monthly column on entertaining and gift giving tips. She continues t owrite for many national publications, is afood consultatn and enjoys her TV and radio appearances while in the US. She divides her time between her villa in Italy and her residence in the USA. Portions ofthe proceeds of this book are being donated to her favorite charity- Gilda's Club. Used Book in Good Condition