CIAO! I’M FRANCESCA…

and I am thrilled to share tidbits about my life devoted to food, bits of adventure, and an intentional lifestyle. I am an alum of the Culinary Institute of America where I received my degrees in culinary arts and applied food studies with a concentration in Italian cuisine. I have worked in many facets of the industry with brief stints in restaurants, catering, and private chef work. My passion and recent years of work in food media include food and lifestyle T.V. production. I currently work as a Food Editor for Delish where I develop recipes (American and Italian forward), host on camera recipe videos and edutainments, produce and style recipe videos, write features, and more.

Aside from my full time work I love to create content for my platform, right here. Much of my content is focused on seasonality, my Italian American heritage and love for European culture. I share recipes, Franki x videos taking you on adventures to find the best things, collabs with brands, Sunday night pasta programming- a social series about my sunday dinner routine, cute props, and everything in between. I also started selling “Francesca’s Ciao Boxes” a concept invigorated by my love for pasta culture and Sunday supper. I’m here to entertain, offer insight, and provoke meaningful conversation. Stay awhile and let me know what you want to see next.
Francesca Zani on a park bench

As my grandparents always asked~”Did you eat?!”

  • I am almost always craving and eating a bowl of pasta- preferably dried, cut pasta- or dumplings with chili oil.
  • When I talk sweet talk I mean sundaes with hot fudge, whipped cream, and sprinkles. I hardly need ice-cream as a base because I will just eat the toppings! I am equal parts savory and sweet; so I could eat pastries just as much as pasta. My go-to pastries are always chocolate or raspberry cigars and crispy, crunchy greasy sfogliatella from La Deliziosa Pastry Shop, Poughkeepsie NY.
  • I adore dainty floral arrangements (peonies, ranunculus, mini roses…) and may often style a photo with the final addition of some sort of flower.
  • Call me neurotic, call me classic. I keep an agenda (Erin Condrin is the best!) to write lists so I can cross things out! It’s the only way I’ll remember it all.
  • jumpsuits my fashion statement to a better-looking kitchen uniform. I love putting up a high bun and zipping around the kitchen or studio set with my boho- chic look.