Hangin' with some Prosciutto di Parma
My name is Michelle Aspis and I am the voice behind this madness. I started Grassroots Gourmet back in Nov 2008 as a part of my college senior thesis project but am now continuing the site onto my graduate school adventures at the University of Gastronomic Sciences (Universita di Scienze Gastronomiche) in Parma, Italy.
I love food, but more importantly, I love good food with an with a rich history. I am studying to get a Masters in Italian Gastronomy and Tourism, hoping to eventually do what I love most, Eat! Because for me, to eat is to experience.
Where my road leads, who knows? I’m only 23! But whether I end up the next Jeffrey Steingarten, or just a very happy soul with a full belly, I want to bring my readers along for the ride..
Join me as I take a bite around the world.
If you want to contact me, please feel free at michelleaspis@gmail.com
10 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Very nice to meet you.. thanks so much for the advice on the Culinary school over there in Italy.. would love to study over there..
Comment by Scott March 3, 2010 @ 12:00 pmoh my GOD! your so beautifull. i wish i could be in Italy
Comment by yechanLee March 9, 2010 @ 8:16 amRequest photo “Porto Venere” by Qualivita Foundation
Good morning,
Comment by Mauro Rosati April 12, 2010 @ 12:28 ammy name is Mauro Rosati. I’m the director of Qualivita Foundation and I’m member of Flickr community with the nick name qualigeo.
The Qualivita Foundation is a no profit organization and its members are public institutions. Its main purpose is the promotion of Italian and European agricultural and food products of quality and, more in general, the promotion of food quality culture.
Now we are working at the publication of the new Atlas of Italian PDO, PGI and TSG on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Agricultural Policies.
For the full success of the work we would insert in the publication also some photos representing the landscape and the production methods of all products. For this reason I ask your authorization to use the your photo with link: http://grassrootgourmet.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/1186071396_mnns_swd___italy___porto_venere___liguria.jpg
for our publication.
If it is possible you send the photo, to the greatest possible resolution, by mail to the addres: grafica@qualivita.it (format jpeg,tiff, ecc)
Looking forward to your reply, thank you very much in advantage
Best regards
Mauro Rosati
Hey, I placed a comment on one of your photos about a Sardinian agriturismo but the blog is a little confusing so I thought I’d post again here. My girlfriend and I are playing a trip to Sardinia with eating a paramount element (!) and we were planning on staying in some agriturismos. If you have a chance, please would you reveal the names of the ones you visited?
Comment by Ben April 13, 2010 @ 1:13 pmHi Michelle,
My wife and I are planning on enrolling in the program together in 2012 (we’re finishing masters programs right now). What were the requirements to get into the University there? We have gotten mixed information. We are planning on take some Italian classes beginning this fall, but do you need a background in the food industry or a prior degree in a food or agriculture program?
We really are enjoying your blog and following your journey!
Please let us know. Thanks!
Comment by Brian April 29, 2010 @ 5:24 amBrian
Hey Brian, Sorry it took so long to respond to you it’s been a crazy couple of weeks… If you could give me your personal email address I’d be more than happy to answer some questions for you about the program.
Best,
Comment by Grassroots Gourmet May 4, 2010 @ 11:51 pmMichelle
Thanks Michelle, its riley.bri@gmail.com
Comment by Brian May 5, 2010 @ 3:23 amhello and thanks for sharing all of your info on. food. kind of a weird connection but i live in claremont and was reading some of you reviews on stuff in yelp and suddenly saw the blog and realized you were in italy. i was heading over there next month to the northern region. i was hoping to do some cooking classes there and didn’t know if you had ventured up there yet. i will be in the area around turin, staying in alba. thanks for the help. have a great time over there i am extremely jealous!
adam
Comment by adam May 13, 2010 @ 7:09 amHi Michelle!
Comment by emily May 16, 2010 @ 8:21 amIt looks like you are having an amazing time! I am interested in applying to the program alsop and wanted to see if you could tell me more about the type of candidates they are looking for?
I am young also, 21, and have just received a BA in Communication from the College of Charleston with a minor in Hospitality and Tourism. I lived in Florence, Italy for 6 months in 2008 and would like to attend the University of Gastronomic Sciences to pursue a Master in Food Culture and Communications.
I look forward to hearing from you and I am so jealous of your adventures!
Sincerely,
Emily
hello
Comment by paloma July 4, 2010 @ 8:53 am1 I guess I already tried to contact you over here, hehe. Well, Once again, I’ve been readin your blog and as I scroll down the pages It makes more anxious to go straight to UNISG. I have so many questions – no so many, actually- but some more basics like, how did you manage to get a place with roomates instead staying at the Uni facilities…its seems you are habing a great moment, and been that young its seems more delicious been over there, having all that adventure. Well, if you can, by any chance, keep in touch with me, I’d appreciate soo much! Im more or less like you, Im just a journalist and a food blogger hunting the best bite all over. I hope we ca talk soo. Big kiss, Paloma/ Brazil!