Pasta is not just a cornerstone of Italian cuisine; it thoroughly enjoyed and celebrated all over the world. However, when we think of the Italian chefs who have popularized Italian cuisine in restaurants and the media, we are neglecting the true creators. We tend to think of ‘nonnas’ as cute, but they are so much more than that. Vicky Bennison is the creator of the Pasta Grannies project, a renowned YouTube channel archiving traditional Italian cooking and the culinary dexterity and artistry of Italian ‘nonne’ or grandmothers. She spent many years working in international development in countries as diverse as Russia, South Africa and Turkmenistan. The next decent meal was always on her mind and she began writing about her gastronomic adventures, going on to write critically acclaimed and multiple award-winning food books. She and her husband, Billy, have a home in Le Marche, central Italy, and she divides her time between there and London. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at
