Valentina Harris
With a heritage like Valentina's, it is no wonder she is such a well-respected authority on Italian food and food culture.
Tracing her family back to 1369 through the illustrious Sforza dynasty, Valentina is the youngest member of a large Anglo-Italian family of gourmets. Educated in Italy, Valentina brought her qualifications for teaching and cooking from Rome to London in 1976, where she built her reputation primarily as a private chef until the publication of her first award-winning cookery book in 1984 – 'Perfect Pasta'.
The award-winning author of over 40 books on Italian food, Valentina is a well-known celebrity chef and an experienced and enthusiastic teacher at a number of schools including Divertimenti and Caldesi in London and Bertinet in Bath, sharing her food philosophy of seasonal local produce served with minimum fuss and maximum care.
7085Hospitality, Food & DrinkPresenter/Journalist
More About Valentina Harris
Now the proprietor, principal tutor and regulator at Cucina Valentina culinary adventures across Europe, she specialises in bespoke gastronomic culinary experiences and cookery courses providing her wealth of knowledge of both food and wine.
This includes truffle hunting, visits to local olive oil and food producers and wine tastings. She is an extraordinary individual providing personal anecdotes about her family life in Italy which includes her first experience of learning to cook at the age of six with the family chef who taught her everything she knows about growing produce for the kitchen.
Her famous stories about her family's colourful history; her life in Italy and the UK; her career highlights as a woman in the food business and her own food philosophy honed over more than 35 years as a self-styled ambassadress for real, authentic Italian food and the extraordinary producers that make the ingredients for her much loved dishes are educational and entertaining.
All of Valentina's courses are tailor-made to suit clients requirements and are inclusive of food, tuition, accommodation, beverages, excursions and transfers to and from the airport.
Valentina also provides her services as a private chef at a location of choice for anything from a few days to a week or longer.
She is a regular face at food fairs across the UK and you will also find her appearing on radio and television from time to time!
As outgoing President of the London chapter of Les Dames D'Escoffier, Valentina will remain committed to strengthening the position of professional women in the world of food, beverage and hospitality, and uses her wealth of experience to mentor young women who dream of a career within it.
The main chapter is in Canada with branches in London and the USA. She also finds the time to contribute regularly to Reveal Italy's website – sharing insights and recipes of the vast culinary delights of regional Italy.
Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book Valentina to demonstrate at your next live event. Contact us.