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20 Amici – 40 Ricette (20 Friends — 40 Recipes)
Friends and Food from the Heart of Chianti
By John Bersani
Photographs by Nico Schinco
Published by The Collective Book Studio
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
Truly experience the Chianti region—with over 40 authentic Tuscan recipes & stories from locals who will feel like friends.
“Just when you think there can’t possibly be anything left to discover about the food and culture of Tuscany . . . here comes John Bersani with an alluring personal tribute to the place, its cuisine, and most of all, its people."—Domenica Marchetti, author of The Glorious Pasta of Italy and Preserving Italy
"One of the most stunning cookbooks I've ever seen."—Meryl Feinstein, founder of Pasta Social Club and author of Pasta Every Day
Experience what it’s like to not only eat in Tuscany, but also how it feels to live there. With traditional Tuscan recipes, heartwarming stories, and insider’s tips from local chefs and family cooks in 20 Amici – 40 Ricette you’ll learn—and taste—why that translates to 20 Friends, 40 Great Recipes.
Feel like you’re wandering the streets of Gaiole, a Tuscan village named “One of Europe’s Most Idyllic Places to Live” by Forbes, as you meet local chefs who share their stories and recipes, from a creamy Risotto Semplice (basic risotto) to a tantalizing Branzino al Forno (whole roasted Mediterranean sea bass). Bring a taste of authentic Italian cooking to your kitchen and a touch of Tuscany to your home with the tales from locals who will feel like friends.
20 Amici – 40 Ricette (20 Friends — 40 Recipes) is an Italian cookbook that offers the complete Italian experience:
• Taste & See Chianti, Tuscany—More than 80 stunning photographs of street markets, homemade dishes, and more take you on a journey that looks as real as it tastes.
• A Local Perspective—Written by a longtime resident of the charming village of Gaiole, this Italian cookbook includes tips and tricks that come from a lifetime of experience.
• Beautiful Display—The eye-catching glossy hardcover looks great on any shelf, and is made to hold up after countless nights of amazing Italian cooking.
Take your family and friends on a culinary journey to Tuscany with 20 Amici – 40 Ricette.
“Just when you think there can’t possibly be anything left to discover about the food and culture of Tuscany . . . here comes John Bersani with an alluring personal tribute to the place, its cuisine, and most of all, its people."—Domenica Marchetti, author of The Glorious Pasta of Italy and Preserving Italy
"One of the most stunning cookbooks I've ever seen."—Meryl Feinstein, founder of Pasta Social Club and author of Pasta Every Day
Experience what it’s like to not only eat in Tuscany, but also how it feels to live there. With traditional Tuscan recipes, heartwarming stories, and insider’s tips from local chefs and family cooks in 20 Amici – 40 Ricette you’ll learn—and taste—why that translates to 20 Friends, 40 Great Recipes.
Feel like you’re wandering the streets of Gaiole, a Tuscan village named “One of Europe’s Most Idyllic Places to Live” by Forbes, as you meet local chefs who share their stories and recipes, from a creamy Risotto Semplice (basic risotto) to a tantalizing Branzino al Forno (whole roasted Mediterranean sea bass). Bring a taste of authentic Italian cooking to your kitchen and a touch of Tuscany to your home with the tales from locals who will feel like friends.
20 Amici – 40 Ricette (20 Friends — 40 Recipes) is an Italian cookbook that offers the complete Italian experience:
• Taste & See Chianti, Tuscany—More than 80 stunning photographs of street markets, homemade dishes, and more take you on a journey that looks as real as it tastes.
• A Local Perspective—Written by a longtime resident of the charming village of Gaiole, this Italian cookbook includes tips and tricks that come from a lifetime of experience.
• Beautiful Display—The eye-catching glossy hardcover looks great on any shelf, and is made to hold up after countless nights of amazing Italian cooking.
Take your family and friends on a culinary journey to Tuscany with 20 Amici – 40 Ricette.
About The Author
John Bersani is a writer, teacher and passionate advocate of Italian food, wine and culture. A 2nd generation Italian-American with roots in his grandparent’s kitchen, John’s cooking philosophy has been shaped by more than 20 years of living in a small hilltop town in central Tuscany. When he’s not in the kitchen, chances are John is off sharing his inside knowledge of the Tuscan countryside with small bespoke tour groups, discovering new culinary inspiration up and down the Italian boot, or spending time with his wife and three adult children. John is the author of 20 Amici-40 Ricette: Friends and Food from the Heart of Chianti and a founder of Avventura Trips. He and his wife, Cyndy, split their time between Gaiole-in-Chianti, Italy and Snowmass Village, Colorado.
Product Details
- Publisher: The Collective Book Studio (May 14, 2025)
- Length: 256 pages
- ISBN13: 9781685556686
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Raves and Reviews
“Just when you think there can’t possibly be anything left to discover about the food and culture of Tuscany—surely Italy’s most popular and well-traveled region—here comes John Bersani with an alluring personal tribute to the place, its cuisine, and most of all, its people. What sets 20 Amici - 40 Ricette apart from other Tuscan cookbooks is the fact that many of the people featured within its pages are, like him, originally from elsewhere. Each brings his or her own unique perspective, rendering the book at once intimate and expansive. All of this is reflected in the recipes, stories, and lush photography of this beautiful book.”
– Domenica Marchetti, author of The Glorious Pasta of Italy and Preserving Italy
“20 Amici - 40 Ricette is one of the most stunning cookbooks I've ever seen, instantly transporting us lucky readers to the lush hills and rustic cobblestone streets of Gaiole-in-Chianti. But just as beautiful as the images are the stories Bersani shares, reminding us that living (and eating!) well is, most of all, about the company we keep. These recipes will entice any Italian food-lover to head straight to the kitchen, and they're made all the more delicious after learning about where—and who—they come from.”
– Meryl Feinstein, founder of Pasta Social Club and author of Pasta Every Day
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- Book Cover Image (jpg): 20 Amici – 40 Ricette (20 Friends — 40 Recipes) Hardcover 9781685556686
- Author Photo (jpg): John Bersani (0.1 MB)
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