Maria Pasquale Unveils MANGIA in Rome: A Celebration of Italy Through Food
On Monday, April 28, the Aula Magna of Palazzo Talìa in Rome set the stage for the international launch of MANGIA: How to Eat Throughout Italy, the latest book by acclaimed food and travel journalist Maria Pasquale. The event, held by invitation only, brought together leading figures from the Italian food and publishing scenes to celebrate the country’s culinary heritage through Pasquale’s distinctive lens.
Angelica Federici, host and owner of the elegant Palazzo Talìa, welcomed guests, while writer and television personality Eleonora Baldwin guided the evening’s discussions. Federico De Cesare Viola, Editor in Chief of Travel + Leisure Italia and Food & Wine Italia, offered an editorial perspective on the book’s significance in today’s cultural and gastronomic landscape.
Pasquale read selected excerpts from MANGIA, reflecting on four decades of personal travel and professional exploration across Italy. A culinary journey through the heart of Italy’s twenty regions, the book brings to life the everyday rituals, regional specialties, and deep-rooted traditions she encountered—from bustling markets and village festivals to fine-dining kitchens and home-cooked meals.
To close the evening, guests were treated to a specially curated menu of regional Italian bites by Chef Marco Coppola, designed to echo the book’s themes and flavors. Attendees also had the opportunity to purchase signed copies of the book.
MANGIA is a comprehensive and personal culinary guide that dives into Italy’s twenty regions, offering more than just recipes. Through interviews, travel notes, and food stories, Pasquale paints a vivid portrait of Italy’s gastronomic diversity. The book features contributions and insights from some of the country’s most renowned chefs, including Massimo Bottura, Mauro Uliassi, Enrico Crippa, Anthony Genovese, Claudio Sadler, and Fulvio Pierangelini.
“This book is the culmination of years spent traveling, eating in, and loving Italy,” Pasquale said. “My goal was to encourage a deeper appreciation for the regional differences that make Italian cuisine so rich, and to challenge the oversimplified image often portrayed abroad.”
MANGIA is both an invitation and a roadmap—to travel, taste, and better understand Italy through the universal language of food. As Massimo Bottura writes in the preface: “Eat! Eat! Eat! That’s what my grandmother Ancella would say when she saw me distracted at the table. And so Mangia is the perfect title for a book that will make you hungry and spark your curiosity.”
About the Author – Maria Pasquale
Maria Pasquale is an award-winning food and travel journalist, born in Melbourne to Italian parents, with deep roots and an enduring connection to Italy. After studying political science and history, she built a career writing for top international outlets including USA Today, CNN, Condé Nast, The Telegraph, Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian. She is the author of I Heart Rome, How to Be Italian, The Eternal City, and now MANGIA.
Maria is also the voice behind the popular lifestyle blog HeartRome, followed in over 100 countries and featured in publications such as BBC Travel, The Sunday Times, and Vogue. In 2021, she was recognized by La Repubblica as one of Rome’s most influential travel experts. Based in Rome, she can often be found strolling through Trastevere or discovering new spots for aperitivo and dinner with friends.
