Have you ever wanted to experience how true, born in Italy, Italians live and create the foods we love? Helena of Yummy Italy, in my opinion, is the person you need to meet when you want to experience an adventure in Emilia Romagna, the breadbasket of Italy. She is an official wine taster, olive oil taster, balsamic vinegar taster. She takes her guests to meet local, artisanal farmers, Parmigiano Reggiano creators, and more. She is also a wonderful person. You will love her.
Who runs Yummy Italy?
My name is Helena Kyriakides-Brancaleoni, I am originally from London, England and I have spent the last 20 years living in the Bologna hills, married to a Bolognese (and his family) who provided me with my unforgettable initiation into the food of Emilia Romagna. After many years working in Marketing & Communications in the food industry (Pret a Manger, Nestlé), on arrival in Bologna, I landed myself a very glamorous job as International Event Manager for Automobili Lamborghini where I worked for 10 years. After 3 years of being a working, traveling mum, I decided to throw it all in order to be able to manage my son and a job that I was still passionate about – and I was fortunate to be able to work for several years as a marketing and communications consultant in the automotive and food industries. During this time I carried out numerous courses on the food and wine of the region. Yummy Italy was officially founded as an agency in the summer of 2014. The lovely people at the Emilia Romagna Tourist Board and Regional Wine Cellar say that I am a regional food expert and I work together with them hosting the international press on their behalf.
Food & Wine Certifications and Awards
2014 Diploma – Official Traditional Balsamic of Modena Taster
2016 Handmade Pasta Teaching Diploma
2016 Sommelier Diploma FISAR (Italian Federation of Sommeliers)
2017 National Cheese Tasting Diploma ONAF (National Organisation of Cheese Tasters)
2019 Diploma in the Psychology and Physiology of Sensory Analysis (International Institute of Sensory Analysis) – Taste Judge & Panel Leader
2019 Nominated Ambassador of the Wines of Emilia Romagna (Emilia Romagna Wine Association)
Member of the Slow Food Association
2019 & 2019 Winners of the Global Industry Hospitality Awards Best Artisan Food & Wine Experiences, Italy
Yummy Italy has been featured in the Sunday Telegraph, Sydney Morning Herald, Great Italian Chefs magazine, Food & Wine Magazine, Huffpost Taste, Global Industry Travel News, the Food Traveler’s Guide to Emilia Romagna and on NBC Euronews and Marie Forleo TV, as well as the award-winning blog With Husband In Tow and various other on-line magazines and blogs. We have also been mentioned in Travelmag.com’s list of the 10 most unique things to do in Bologna.
Yummy Italy works with a small selection of hand-picked guides, all of whom have food and/or wine dedicated certifications and qualifications.
During Covid era Helena is organizing pasta and cooking classes online.
email:
Patreon page: www.patreon.com/yummyitaly
Email: Helena@Yummy-Italy.com