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Loreto and Nicoletta have been cooking up an Italian storm on their online blog sugarlovespices.com. In their bustling kitchen, they combine their passion for savory and sweet, and of course a bit of spice! They are avid supporters of using local, organic and seasonal ingredients to prepare foods that bring people together through a love of tradition and creativity. These two Italian love birds will be sharing their take on a season risotto this year on The Cooking Stage at the 2019 Edmonton Fall Home Show. Before you sample their delectable treats, you can find out more about them right here!

Loreto and Nicoletta love to share their knowledge with beginners. Offering private cooking classes for small groups, they want to encourage everyone to roll up their sleeves and get courageous in the kitchen. “No need to worry if you’re new! Always start with simple recipes,” says the dynamic duo. “Some tips for beginner cooks would be to organize your ingredients so they’re ready to go. And if you’re following a recipe, read it though fully, then tackle it.” Wondering how chefs just know when things are done? “Over time, you’ll develop a visual and taste sense as far as cook times.”

When people think of Italian, they think of amazing pizza and mouth-watering pasta. When it comes to home made noodles and dough though, homeowners are often quite wary. “Home-made or “scratch” items aren’t as hard as you think,” notes Loreto, “As for anything, it requires patience and practice. Having someone teach you though can take a lot of the anxiety out. Hands on cooking classes allow you to work hands-on and not only rely on descriptors or pictures for instructions.” For new timers, the couple suggests starting with a simple pasta with a fresh tomato basil sauce.

The couple strongly believes in eating with the seasons and its benefits to both the environment and our health. “It’s the best way to get the most out of fruits and vegetables without disrupting the environment and respecting nature’s balance,” explains Loreto and Nicoletta. “Seasonal vegetables have a higher content of vitamins and minerals and require less to no pesticides.”

Just follow that scent! The Cooking Stage this year at the 2019 Edmonton Fall Home Show is chalk full of Edmonton’s best food experts. They’ll be cooking everything from plant-powered recipes to Korean glazed meatball sliders. Check out the rest of the amazing line-up on our website, then come down to the Edmonton Expo Centre October 18-20th to taste these mouth watering meals