About marlathechefinred.com

This picture is of my dear grandmother and I taken about 1985. My grandmother and two of my other grandparents immigrated to the United States from Italy. Being Italian meant that family and food go together. I used to love to visit my grandmother Elisa is New Castle PA. She was the most wonderful cook. I spent a lot of time with her and she even came and stayed with me for a few months on two different occasions. We would cook often together and the first time I  canned tomatoes was with her in my little kitchen in Cleveland Ohio. My paternal grandfather Dominick Monzo had 10 brothers and sisters. I can't begin to tell you about all the parties and celebrations we had and food was always at the core. My love for cooking started as a little girl. Now being able to teach cooking to others so they too can be proud of their dishes brings me so much joy!

After many years of success in Cleveland my husband, mom and myself moved to Charlotte NC in July of 2022. Our daughter had moved to NC with her precious family and we knew we wanted to be near them. So my husband, who had recently retired, and I packed up all our belongings and left the home we had built and raised our four children in.  My husband also left a great part-time job and I left my business. It was a scary time and we were so afraid. However, we found a lovely home very near our daughter! We get to see our precious  grandchildren all the time and within one month I started teaching cooking classes right here in Huntersville NC! My first year I taught over 57 cooking classes and had over 300 students! My business has quadrupled since moving to Charlotte. My husband is my right hand man and supports Marla the Chef in Red as my business partner. I truly could not expand and do what I do without him. My 84 year old mother, Mary, is also supportive. She attends my classes and happily helps.

I have been so blessed in my lifetime to have visited Italy so often. I have family there and it is truly my happiest place on earth. A huge dream of mine was to take others to Italy! About a year ago I partnered with an agency and planned my first trip! My trip sold out in 10 days! On April 19th my husband and I will escort 14 others to Tuscany and Umbria for an unforgettable journey! Marla the Chef in Red will travel to Italy twice a year! The picture above are my travelers from Charlotte. I have others joining from Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Florida!