I was born on a winter’s day in a medium size New England town. After college, I spent a short time in both Mississippi and New York City, and then moved to Asia with Hong Kong becoming my home base for the next decade and a half. The experiences from living in the most populated area of the world to the empty sand beaches of the region were amazing. I plunged into the Asian culture with Yoga, Wing Chung, Kung Fu and all the plethora of different cuisines available to me from the lowly hawker stand to the Michelin star restaurants. I became inspired by the minimalism and stoicism of the cultures and with the savoir vivre which they embellished. These influences still remain with me to this day.
In 2002, I bought this 18th century olive plantation with manor house, tower and groves of olive trees in Umbria that fulfilled my imagination of peace, tranquility, off the grid, sustainable, yet extremely close to the village and a wonderful morning cappuccino. I have been patiently restoring the property with a focus of being part and living in the eco system of our valley while simultaneously promoting the Umbrian wine, our olive oil and truffles to the public in Europe via tastings. In 2010 I opened the Sanctuary as a yoga retreat.
I am a globalist having lived on three different continents and this experience and knowledge has led me to create a cuisine of many different fusions from the Mediterranean to Asian using fresh seasonal foods and spices mostly grown on our farm. It is an exercise and a passion to bring the “Cucina Povere” kitchen to my guests while they relax in an environment of green sustainable living, and an instant gratification and lasting transformations of yoga. It is with a great pleasure that I share this with everyone today.
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Albert Einstein.