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The south of Puglia, a man with a fear of heights, and the best €5 Spritz. After our first few days in Molfetta — split between family lunches that stretched well into the afternoon, long evenings with old friends and the very specific joy of speaking Italian at full volume without having to translate yourself — I decided it was time to show Matt a little more of the south. And before I move on, I want to pause on that feeling for a second. Because it's something I don't thin

Back to Molfetta, where family, food and the Adriatic were waiting. After our two days in Rome, it was time to continue our journey. Southbound. Destination Puglia. Destination Molfetta. We left Roma Termini on a Frecciabianca train and I have to admit that Italy's rail network has improved enormously over the years. The trains are clean, comfortable, fast and surprisingly affordable. The journey from Rome to Molfetta takes around four and a half hours, usually with a change

Before opening my business and becoming an entrepreneur and chef, I was actually a travel agent for many years — which means one thing: my trips are almost always carefully organised.But there’s another side of me that never changes… I absolutely love getting lost in cities, exploring hidden corners, discovering unexpected places, and simply living the atmosphere like a local. And that’s exactly what happened during these two days in Rome. Every place we visited was excellent

Gusti Pugliesi was never just about food. It started there, of course — from my roots, from my mum’s kitchen, from everything I grew up with. But the truth is, behind every dish I make, there is a story that goes far beyond recipes. Before this business, I had a completely different life. I’ve done many different jobs, lived in different countries, met all kinds of people, and had to start over more than once. Living abroad teaches you a lot, but not always in the way you exp

In Puglia, Holy Week is not just a religious time. It is a pause — a slower, more meaningful moment filled with silence, rituals, and traditions passed down through generations. The streets glow with soft lights, churches remain open late into the night, and people move quietly, almost as if respecting something deeply sacred. In Molfetta, all of this is closely connected to food — simple, humble, yet full of meaning. Holy Thursday and the “Sepolcri” Holy Thursday is one of t

If someone had told me that a simple night out would change my life, I wouldn’t have believed them. The story of Gusti Pugliesi began at the end of an ordinary evening at the pub. I was there with Matt and Ben, the owner of the pub where I now run the kitchen. At that time, I was simply a customer — someone who loved food, conversation, and the sense of home that good cooking creates. Before the night ended, Ben asked me a question that changed everything:“Would you like to t

Today is a day that fills me with immense pride: Italian cuisine has officially been added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage as of Wednesday, December 10, 2025. This recognition does not refer to specific recipes or dishes, but to the social rituals, traditions, and cultural values that surround the preparation and sharing of food in Italy. The UNESCO citation highlights what we Italians know so well: the importance of conviviality. It celebrates the tradit

On 7th November Gusti Pugliesi turns one — and honestly, I can hardly believe how quickly this year has gone. Now, let me tell you...

My name is Mariateresa — though I’ve never been a fan of it. Too long, too formal… too much! So I started asking everyone to call me...