Barry's Mama (Maria Louisa Frangipane) was born in Treviso, and Barry still has many relatives in Treviso and Sarmede (near Vittorio Veneto). His father was born in New York and comes from the Frangipane family in Ciminna (provincia di Palermo), Sicily, where there are over 40 Frangipani still residing. Barry takes pride in saying that he has spent time with all of them. He learned to cook from his mother, refining his culinary skills with relatives in Italy as well as attending the Disney Cooking Institute with Debbie in Orlando, Florida.

Debbie is a certified personal trainer (perhaps she can help us work off those Pasta Pounds). Debbie’s perfection in dishes from savory polenta to zuppa inglese had Venetians asking for her recipes.

Both spent several months at the Istituto Venezia learning Italian while they were living in Venice a few years ago. They have two daughters, 24 & 30. Their youngest daughter Amber trained for a few years as a camp counselor, and recently assisted with a summer kids camp teaching children how to cook. A love of cooking sure runs deep in this family!

Debbie & Barry have toured Italy extensively, playing tour guide to family and friends, and meeting lots of folks along the way. They look forward to sharing with you their love of Italy, its land, its people, its wine and its foods. Join them on a culinary vacation.  To Debbie and Barry, “La Dolce Vita” is not just an expression; it’s a way of life.