Ariane Laezza
The spirit of Nonna, reinvented
By Kayla-Marie Turriciano
In the heart of Toronto’s Corso Italia, where the scent of espresso mingles with the hum of Sunday conversation, Ariane Laezza has built a bridge between tradition and modernity. The creative director and co-founder of the agency ArtxIndustry is also the woman behind That Nonna Life-a lifestyle project launched in 2019 that honours Italian traditions through social media storytelling and community gatherings rooted in the Italian-Canadian experience.
Born in Montreal to an Italian father from Molise and a French mother, Laezza spent her early years surrounded by the warmth of kitchens where food and storytelling went hand in hand. “I have these really fond memories of everyone being in the kitchen, around the table, connecting over food, conversation and storytelling,” she recalls.
“Growing up around other Italians, I felt like the whole world grew up like this.” It wasn’t until later that she realized how uniquely Italian-and Italian-Canadian-that atmosphere truly was.
After moving to Mississauga and later settling in Toronto, Laezza’s creative vision and cultural memory, along with her background in modelling and fashion design, gave her a sharp visual sensibility. But That Nonna Life emerged from the deep bond she shared with her grandmother in her final years.
“Through That Nonna Life, I’ve realized that lot of us second-generation Italians, have this culture that’s uniquely our own, like seeing my nonno use hockey sticks as tomato stakes in the garden.”
Inside Abruzzo
A journey through landscapes, flavours and places that locals love
By Silvana Longo, Travel Editor
Often described as one of Italy’s best-kept secrets, Abruzzo sits quietly outside the well-trodden holiday routes, even for seasoned travellers.
Framed by the Apennines and the Adriatic, the region shifts quickly from mountain interiors to hill towns, fishing villages and quieter inland landscapes where traditions and everyday life remain closely intertwined.
What follows is not a comprehensive guide, but a curated selection of hidden gems within each of Abruzzo’s four provinces, drawn from people who live in the region (or return regularly), inviting a deeper discovery of a region that has long revealed itself slowly, on its own terms.
Che Bomba!
Top spots for bomboloni in Montreal and Toronto
By Cassandra Marsillo & Rita De Montis
Move over donuts — the bombolone is claiming its rightful place in the sweet spotlight. These fluffy pillows of fried yeasted dough are the quintessential Italian dolce. They are light and airy, generously filled with ricotta, Nutella, cream or jam, and deliver a true bomba of flavour in every bite. Long beloved in Italy, bomboloni have surged in popularity across Canada. From classic fillings to creative twists like red velvet and Biscoff, there’s always a new bombolone to discover. Read on for our pick of the best places to try them in Montreal and Toronto.
Risotto con asparagi
Asparagus Risotto is a quintessential Italian primo celebrating the clean, verdant notes of seasonal asparagus. In northern Italy, this creamy rice dish transforms humble spring produce into something elegant: tender grains enriched with real stock, fresh asparagus and a touch of Parmesan, yielding a dish that’s fragrant, vibrant and effortlessly refined.
