Daniela Savone

Daniela Savone is a first-generation Italian American born and raised just outside of New York City. Daniela grew up working in her father’s authentic Italian deli, where she was slicing prosciutto before she could even ride a bike. Since she was a baby Daniela has spent her summers vacationing in Italy. As a child Daniela spent a lot of time in the kitchen alongside her Nonna watching her cook everything from scratch and where her passion for all things culinary began. Growing up in an Italian household everything was centered around food, family, and traditions. Sundays, holidays, and special occasions were always elaborate marathons gathered around a long table filled with home cooked meals.

Daniela went on to earn a master’s degree in Multilingual/Multicultural Education and taught English as a Second Language for well over 15 years. Daniela always enjoyed cooking but didn’t realize just how truly passionate she was until her Nonna passed away in 2015. While grieving the loss of the most significant person in her life the only thing that brought her comfort and joy was cooking.

From that moment on, every time Daniela steps into the kitchen, she feels her Nonna’s presence, so much so that it inspired her to take a huge leap of faith. After being casted on Season 9 of MasterChef on Fox with Gordon Ramsay she resigned from teaching, packed her belongings, and left everything she’d ever known in NY and headed down South to chase her culinary dream. Since landing in South Carolina Daniela has dedicated every inch of her being into making her dream a reality. Within a few months after settling into her new life down South, Daniela became an Executive Chef of a new restaurant on Main Street in Downtown Columbia. But the world had other plans. The restaurant industry took a hard hit during the Global Pandemic, which left Daniela locked down in her one-bedroom apartment, in her tiny kitchen with her wooden spoon and laptop. This time alone gave Daniela the opportunity to combine all her creative abilities into one. She began cooking Togo meals for her friends and neighbors, dishes that were inspired by her Nonna, from the years working in her father’s deli, her mother’s specialties, and regional dishes inspired by her many summers growing up in Italy. As she cooked, she wrote about each recipe. The history behind each dish, the ingredients, including her family’s secrets and traditions. And this is how the 'Italian Gal with a Wooden Spoon' was born. Daniela started her own catering and private chef business. As she was busy cooking up a storm, she continued writing about every dish that came out of her kitchen. She pitched her recipes and home cooking stories to editors and marketed herself to various food companies. Soon Daniela was writing for popular food publications and partnering up with some major food brands. Her love of all things culinary continues to grow and there is nothing she enjoys more than sharing her passion with the world. All of Daniela’s published work, branded content, and all that she has accomplished thus far since embarking on her culinary journey can be found just about anywhere on the internet.
Soon you will get to have a taste of the 'Italian Gal with a Wooden Spoon' in your very own kitchen. Daniela is currently in the process of writing her very first soon to be published Cookbook and Memoir, The Italian Gal with a Wooden Spoon, From Teacher to Chef; The Recipes and People that Inspired her.