Ilaria Bertinelli

Meet Ilaria Bertinelli, a culinary virtuoso hailing from Parma, Italy. Born into a family of farmers and renowned Parmigiano Reggiano cheese producers, Ilaria’s passion for food was ingrained in her DNA. After completing her studies in simultaneous interpretation in English and Spanish at the University of Trieste, she took the helm of Interconsul, a distinguished language services company, where she still serves as the CEO today.

However, Ilaria’s journey took a remarkable turn in 2010 when her six-year-old daughter, Gaia, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. This life-altering event marked the beginning of what Ilaria fondly calls her “second life.” Fueled by her love for cooking, food, and a desire for balanced eating habits, she authored the book “A Chef for Gaia” in 2013. This captivating blend of narrative medicine and gluten-free recipes, accompanied by carb counts, swiftly gained recognition. With its fifth reprint, all royalties are donated to charitable causes.

Since then, Ilaria has been conducting cooking courses for a diverse range of audiences, including companies, training centers, hospitals, patient associations, and fellow food enthusiasts. In 2016, she launched her blog, www.unochefpergaia.it, captivating readers with her culinary adventures. Her talents were further acknowledged in 2017 when she emerged as the victor of the esteemed Rice Food Blogger Contest “Chef Giuseppina Carboni.” This achievement culminated in the publication of her enchanting travel diary, “Food Blogger in Viaggio,” featuring delectable recipes.

Amidst the tumultuous lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, Ilaria fearlessly embarked on a new venture, opening her YouTube channel, “Ilaria Bertinelli – A Chef for Gaia.” Through this platform, she passionately shared daily video recipes, delighting and inspiring audiences with innovative ideas for their home kitchens.

The year 2022 witnessed the release of two remarkable books. The first, “Mamma, Cosa Si Mangia Oggi?” in collaboration with Nestlé Italia, showcased modified density recipes tailored for children affected by dysphagia. In a powerful collaboration with Abbott, Ilaria published recipes designed for malnourished children, incorporating the PediaSure supplement.

Undeterred by limitations, Ilaria continues to forge her path in the culinary world. In 2023, she unveiled her latest masterpiece, “Feeding Love to Gaia and Nico.” This heartfelt book chronicles her son Nicolò’s battle with diabetes, accompanied by 100 exceptional recipes.

Join Ilaria Bertinelli as your culinary instructor during our Let’s Eat Parma food & wine lovers holiday in Parma, Emilia Romagna, Italy.