About Rossella Rago
Rossella Rago – Italian American Cookbook Author, Entrepreneur & Culinary Storyteller
Rossella Rago is a proud native of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, and a first-generation Italian American with deep roots in Mola di Bari, a small fishing village in Puglia, Italy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Italian literature from St. John’s University, but her true culinary education began at home, learning to cook from her maternal grandmother, Romana, while they lived together during her college years.
In 2009, Rossella launched the groundbreaking web series Cooking with Nonna on YouTube, becoming the first social media influencer to cook with Italian grandmothers, sharing their stories and treasured family recipes. Her passion for preserving Italian culinary traditions has led her to author three cookbooks: Cooking With Nonna, Cooking With Nonna: Holidays, and Cooking With Nonna: Sunday Dinners, released in 2022.
As the founder of Bottega Della Nonna, an online retail platform specializing in Italian American novelty products and Italian imports, Rossella continues to celebrate her heritage. With nearly one million social media followers, she has built a devoted community eager to connect with authentic Italian cuisine and culture.
Beyond her digital presence, Rossella guides bespoke culinary tours in Italy, offering travelers an immersive experience in the rich food traditions of her ancestral homeland. She is also a judge on Spaghetti Wars, an exciting new food competition series airing later this year.
A longtime member of the Screen Actors Guild, Rossella worked as an actor and stand-in for 15 years before fully dedicating herself to food media. She also serves on the board of the National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW), advocating for the preservation of Italian American culture. Since her grandmother’s diagnosis with dementia, she has become a passionate voice for dementia awareness, sharing personal reflections and resources to help others navigate the challenges of the disease.
For Rossella, food and family are at the center of everything she does. Whether through her cookbooks, videos, culinary tours, or advocacy, she remains dedicated to honoring the wisdom, recipes, and traditions of Italian grandmothers, ensuring their legacy lives on for generations to come. She still resides in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn a few blocks away from her childhood home.
Contacts:
Vito Rago - Executive Producer
Cooking With Nonna
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Tel. 973 263 4558
For all other Press, Media and Appearances, please contact Francesca Hemsey at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Send Rossella Your Love!
Rossella loves to hear from all of her fans! Please send your mail to the address below:
Rossella Rago c/o Cooking with Nonna
7612 13 Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11204
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