Chef Valentina

28/07/2026

I’ve just returned from a beautiful holiday in Italy, spending time with my family and soaking up all the incredible flavours, traditions and inspiration that make Italian cuisine so special. 🇮🇹❤️

There’s nothing like going back home to remind me why I fell in love with cooking in the first place.

I’m so excited to share one of my absolute favourite Italian classics, Spaghetti alle Vongole, with you through SBS Italian. It’s a simple dish, but when made with love and a few little tricks, it’s truly unforgettable.

A big thank you to SBS Italian for giving me the opportunity to share my passion for authentic Italian cooking. I hope this recipe inspires you to bring a little taste of Italy into your own kitchen.

Buon appetito! 🍝❤️🇮🇹

Gli spaghetti alle vongole sono un grande classico della cucina italiana: "È una ricetta semplice, con pochi ingredienti, ma proprio per questo richiede un po’ di tecnica", spiega Chef Valentina. Ascolta la ricetta 🎧 (link nei commenti 👇)

06/06/2026

It's World Food Safety Day!

And who better to drop some kitchen wisdom than our very own Chef Valentina from OzHarvest WA!

This one's simple but SO important

"Keep hot food hot and cold food cold — and never leave food sitting in the danger zone between 5–60°C for more than 2 hours."
— Chef Valentina, OzHarvest WA
That temperature range is where bacteria love to party — and nobody wants that kind of guest at the table!
Whether you're cooking at home, prepping for a big family feast or working in a commercial kitchen — this rule saves food, and it keeps people safe.
At OzHarvest, food safety isn't just a tip — it's at the heart of everything we do. Every meal we rescue and deliver meets strict food safety standards, because everyone deserves food that is not only good — but safe.
Stay safe. Eat well. And thank you Chef Valentina for keeping it real in the kitchen!
🍽️🧡

20/05/2026

🌿🍅 Excited to be presenting this beautiful workshop with the City of Swan! 🇮🇹♻️

Join me as we explore the art of Cucina Povera, the traditional Italian way of cooking that transforms simple, humble ingredients into nourishing meals while reducing food waste.

I will share practical tips, delicious recipes, and ideas to help you create more sustainable meals at home without sacrificing flavour. ❤️

📍 Caversham Community Centre
📅 Saturday 25 July | 10am–11:30am

Would love to see some familiar faces there!✨

https://events.humanitix.com/thinking-green-the-zero-waste-italian-kitchen-cooking-the-cucina-povera-way-in-caversham

27/04/2026

Another amazing Italian Festa in Perth done and dusted 🇮🇹🥳
Thanks for having me this year as well!
Looking forward to celebrating Italy in Perth in 2027🍝👌💃

09/04/2026

Come say Ciao at the Perth Italian Festival this Saturday! I’ll be on Stage 2 at 1:15pm 🇮🇹🍝🥰

13/12/2025

On air this morning at Radio📻
So proud and grateful to represent Italy here, in a wonderful conversation with Amber Cunningham about Italy’s recognition as UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage , celebrating food as culture, connection and zero-waste values.
Zero waste isn’t a trend, it’s always been part of Italian food culture.🌱🇮🇹🍝🙌

10/12/2025

A historic moment for ITALY 🇮🇹
La Cucina Italiana has officially become the first cuisine in the world to be recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
As an Italian chef and the WA Chef Coordinator for OzHarvest, this fills me with so much pride.

Italian cuisine is more than recipes, it’s a philosophy of respect: for food, for the land, for the seasons, and for the people we share a meal with.

One of the values celebrated by UNESCO is something very close to my heart:

♻️ Zero-waste cooking.

In Italy, nothing is wasted. Everything can be transformed, reused, reinvented.
This is exactly what we teach every day at - valuing food, reducing waste, and nourishing community.

Seeing these traditions recognised on a global stage is so special.
It reminds us that sustainable cooking isn’t a trend but it’s our heritage.
And it’s at the heart of both Italian cuisine and the OzHarvest mission.

Viva la cucina italiana - patrimonio dell’umanità! ❤️🇮🇹
And viva every kitchen that cooks with love, respect, and zero waste 🙏

13/11/2025

WA, you’re amazing — $132,000 raised!!! 🎉
Let’s keep the momentum going!
Just $1 = 2 meals for people doing it tough right here at home.
Donate if you can 💛
https://events.ozharvest.org/2025abcgives-wa

13/11/2025

Hey everyone! 💛
Tune in to ABC Perth today – we’re on all day sharing some amazing stories! 🎙️✨
You can listen live here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/live/perth
Would love your support – have a listen! 🙌💛

12/11/2025

✨ So excited for ABC Gives! ✨
I’ll be LIVE on ABC Radio at 12:30pm for an Ask Me Anything session! 📻💛

We’ll chat about:
🥕 How to use up what’s already in your fridge & pantry
🍝 Easy ideas to turn leftovers into meals
♻️ Simple ways to reduce food waste at home (and save money!)

Tune in, send your questions, and help support the incredible work OzHarvest does for our community. Every little bit truly makes a difference! 💛🌍

18/10/2025

First CEO Cookoff in Perth done and dusted! Great food, awesome people, smiles all round, and an incredible night supporting a fantastic cause, can’t wait to do it all again next year! 🙌✨