Just like Grandma used to make

From Italian pasta to Chinese dim sum, food brings family, friends and community together all around the world. And it’s not just what we share but also how we share it, whether with poetry and whisky in Scotland or a barbecue on the beach Down Under

Ask any Italian what their favourite food is and they’ll most likely say their nonna’s home cooking. Their recipes are based on traditions learned from their grandmothers that transcend generations, with hearty and comforting dishes that will nourish, satisfy and, most importantly, bring the family together around the table. 

The YouTube channel Pasta Grannies, by foodie and filmmaker Vicky Bennison, has 779,000 subscribers at the time of writing. The channel has been such a hit, it has also been turned into a book. During her visits to the rustic homes of many an Italian matriarch, Vicky discovered that the craft of handmade pasta is at the heart of this much-adored cuisine. 

“What I loved about meeting these women was how often it turned into a party,” says Vicky. “When they make pasta, I think what unites them all is that they’re making the food for