Who is she...

Francesca Zani graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York with an associates degree in Culinary Arts, Spring 2017 and  bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and Food Studies spring 2018. Francesca studied abroad in Puglia, Italy from January to April 2018, and was inspired by the plethora of knowledge Italian cuisine has to offer.  Francesca previously assisted James Beard-nominated cookbook author, Sarah Copeland of Edible Living. She has helped Sarah with her third cookbook, assisting with recipe testing, photo shoots, and other organizational tasks. She also helps freelance food stylists with photo shoots and was a part of the culinary team for Patti Labelle's cooking series that premiered November 2017. In the past Francesca has worked as a banquet server for Blue Hill at Stone Barns and line cook intern at the Castle Hill Inn, Newport RI.

In her personal time, Francesca enjoys styling and photographing her food. She posts her work on “The Garnished Palate” an Instagram profile used as her food portfolio. She also writes for her food blog under the same name “The Garnished Palate.”  She previously created and edited a food media focused digital magazine to inspire students about the field of food media. The magazine was published as a special edition project with the help of the CIA's Media Relations.

 Francesca is very passionate about food print and video media and hopes to one day work with a prestigious food publication or production company where she can learn a multitude of skills under professional chefs, stylists, and editors.