Silvana is a 4th generation artisan pasta maker from Naples, with a passion for teaching the dying art of making pasta entirely by hand. Wanting to save rare pasta shapes from disappearing, and helping pasta lovers to recreate the authentic Italian experience; teaching techniques passed down to her by her family.

Her grandma, Nonna Rosa, has taught her everything she knows; having staretd learning when she was just 5 years old! Her Nonna has been her only teacher for 17 years, allowing her to earn first hands experience in the small family pasta factory. In July 2017 Silvana featured on BBC2's "Inside the Factory" as a pasta expert.

We spoke to Silviana all about her culinary journey, what she loves about teaching others to cook, and how Obby is helping her business grow.

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When was the first time you started working with pasta, and what drew you to it?

I'm a 4th generation artisan pasta maker from Naples. My great grandfather started a pasta making shop back in 1893. I started making pasta when I was 5 years old, encouraged by my grandma. As I grew older, I also helped in the shop until it closed in 1995. I have been instructed by my grandma for about 17 years. I moved to London 20 years ago, and started teaching about 10 years ago. I decided to started teaching pasta making, because there's so much confusion and contradictory informations out there. Also, there's the spread of a marketing message, where it implies that cooking and making food from scratch is a chore and that takes away time from bonding with your family. I wanted to not only teach people how to make pasta at home, without the need to buy fancy equipment, but also that making pasta is relaxing and fun, and that is an ideal activity to do with family and friends, and that it actually favour bonding.

What made you realise that teaching might be for you? And was it difficult for you to make that leap from creating for yourself to teaching others?

It wasn't difficult at all. I have always been teaching in a way or another: my younger sister, my friends who wanted to make pasta, the neighbourhood' kids. Making pasta is a social activity. In Naples people come to visit you out of the blue. It's normal, we don't have dates. So, when we were at home, or even in the shop, making pasta, there was always some neighbour, or a friend, who came by to say hello. And there was always someone who would sit with us to help us, and to learn how to make pasta. Teaching has always been part of my pasta making experience.

What encouraged you to join Obby as a teacher? And how are we helping you grow?

I was contacted by Tom a few years ago. I decided to give it a go even though I'd never heard of the platform. I am happy to have taken the decision to join, as I have been meeting many incredible people who have booked classes with me through Obby.

How do you maintain your inspiration for your craft? And how do you pass that inspiration onto your students?

I love making pasta, and I love eating good pasta. My inspiration is to be able to create tasty and healthy food, and to recreate the flavour I grew up with. Also, I love to inspire my children to appreciate homemade food, as opposite than commercial and ready made meals, which seems to be all the rage today. I am all for slow food, for preserving a tradition that is slowly disappearing: the art of making pasta entirely by hand, following the traditional techniques that have been passed down to me by my family.  I alway try to communicate this message to my students, I teach them not only how to make pasta, but also how to choose good pasta in supermarkets: by learning what there's behind the simple packet of pasta, they are inspired to start to make pasta by themselves at home.

Do you feel making pasta helps people with their wellbeing and mental health? And if so, why?

Making pasta is the ultimate mindful activity. Sitting down and concentrating on folding the pasta sheet squares to make shapes is extremely relaxing. Kneading is a cathartic activity, and it will get your heart pumping! Also, taking the time to make pasta is a welcome break from the hectic world in which we live: it gives you the time to communicate with other people, to know them better, and bond. All this, together, is powerfully effective to improving mental wellbeing.

What has been your favourite student interaction since you’ve started teaching?

There are so many, it's hard to choose. Every class is amazing in its own special way. What I love must is to watch perfect stranger becoming friends and exchanging number at the end of the class. I love when we sit all down around the table to eat the food we have made from scratch, and we chat like old friends, and we just met a few hours before. I love the informality of it all. I like to think of me being the aunty teaching my young nephews how to make pasta.

What is your favourite thing about teaching that you feel you benefit from?

The personal interaction, without any doubt. I love meeting new people, different culture, and learn new information. Every person I meet enriches my life in a way that they don't even realise.  

Any tips for aspiring creatives who are looking to start teaching their own classes?

Just go for it. It's a very rewarding activity. If you are a people person, this will make you happy. If you are shy, this will help you come out of your shell. In any case, teaching your craft will enrich you in a way or another. And also, in order to be an effective teacher, make sure you are learning more about your craft, to make you even more experienced and capable than before. You will grow, both as a crafter and as a person.

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