A Love Letter to Two Homes
Every Fourth of July, I take a quiet moment between the fireworks and the celebration to reflect on something very personal: what it means to love two countries with all your heart.
I was born and raised in Italy, where beauty is a way of life — not something reserved for galleries or grand occasions, but something you find in everyday moments. It’s in the curve of a hand-painted ceramic bowl, the scent of lemons blooming on a balcony, the rhythm of words in a poem or a recipe passed down. My childhood was filled with art, music, and food that came not from trends, but from generations of instinct and care. I remember standing on a stool in my mamma’s kitchen, watching her hands work with flour like magic. The smell of fresh zest, the warmth of the oven, the effortless grace she carried — those memories are my foundation. In Italy, beauty and flavor are inseparable, and both are expressions of love.
In my twenties, I made a life-changing decision to move to the United States to study. It was a challenging journey—starting fresh in a new country tested me in ways I never imagined. But I brought along a strong connection to my roots, and the determination to turn those challenges into opportunities. Starting over in America wasn’t always easy, but it gave me something extraordinary — the chance to become more than what I was. A student. A citizen. A founder. A woman with two homes and one vision.
Becoming a U.S. citizen was one of the proudest moments of my life. It didn’t erase my Italian identity — it expanded it. I get to live in the “in-between” — honoring my roots while building something new.
Dilettoso was born from that space. I started this business as a food entrepreneur with a simple idea: bring the joy of Italian baking to more people — with a modern, healthy twist. I wanted to create gluten-free baking mixes that made people feel like they were back in their nonna’s kitchen... or sitting at a sunny café in Rome. But I also wanted it to feel playful, bright, and inclusive — like the best parts of American creativity.
This Fourth of July, I feel the true meaning of freedom deep within me. It’s not just a day to celebrate history, but a celebration of who I have become — someone shaped by both my Italian roots and my American spirit. Being both Italian and American isn’t a contradiction; it’s a gift that enriches every part of my life. I’m proud to carry both cultures with me every day, grateful to live, work, and contribute to a country that has welcomed me as one of its own.
Happy 4th of July!
With Amore,
Stefania
Founder, Dilettoso
