Stories of Belonging: Rossana

Celebrating Friendship and Heritage: Rossana

I met Rossana four years ago through my cookbook, and from that very moment, we became instant friends. Rossana is from Bergamo and I am from Valtellina; right away, we discovered how much we share—our roots, our love for Italian traditions, and our joy in creating memories together.

Since then, we’ve traveled side by side, attended concerts, laughed until our cheeks hurt, danced, and collected unforgettable moments. Rossana is one of those rare people you can always count on. If you need her, she’s there. If you need to talk, she’s there. She is beautiful inside and out, with a gentle, thoughtful soul, and I feel so lucky to call her my friend.

Rossana has been living in Vancouver for the past ten years, bringing a piece of Italy with her through her warmth, her smile, and the crostoli (chiacchiere) she lovingly prepared when I visited. With every bite, I felt the embrace of tradition and the joy of being “at home,” even far from our homeland.

A Passion for Words and Tradition

Beyond her passion for food, Rossana is also a talented writer and Italian teacher. She has published several books on Amazon—small treasures filled with poetry, heart, and reflections that speak to her heritage and creativity. I highly recommend checking out her books; they are fantastic and many are bilingual!

One of her favorite dishes is polenta, a staple from her hometown. Back when her Nonna was alive, she would cook polenta in that loving, traditional way only grandmothers can. Those memories are unforgettable, reminding us how food connects us deeply to family and culture.

Every time I see Rossana, I’m reminded that belonging isn’t about a place—it’s about the people who make you feel at home.

Watch our story: Check out the video interview on my Instagram page @bellacibo 

Thank you so much for reading.