In March 2020, the Canadian entertainment industry completely shut down and, as a suddenly unemployed theatre artist, I had a lot of time on my hands. I reconnected with my great aunt Gianna in Milan and I started making pasta every day to distract myself from the worry I felt for my family in Italy. I made so much pasta that I needed a way to give it away so I launched a fundraiser for WINhouse. My community took up the call like mad and before I knew it we raised $1000 in pasta purchases in just three days.

These days I'm still making pasta and experimenting with new shapes and colours in my little kitchen in downtown Edmonton. I'm no closer to returning to the stage but I am very lucky to have bell'uovo (my ‘beautiful egg’) to keep me company. My great aunt helped me pick the name which seems apt considering I'm named after her.

xo gianna and gianna

Pasta Colorata

All my pasta is handmade and naturally colourful using spices, veggies, flowers, charcoal, health foods and (of course) eggs and 00 flour with semolina. I play with new colourful agents all the time, but the following grocery list are my go-tos.

These ingredients provide the dough its colour but really none of their flavors come along for the ride. I prefer a colourful dish that still tastes like a traditional pasta.