Sara Ciliberto started cooking from a young age in her hometown of Calabria, Italy. What brought her to cook was her unfortunate circumstances. Her mother passed away when she was nine, and her father was not around. In her words, “I was left with potatoes and onions. My mother died in a train wreck, and my 18 year old sister was hospitalized as the only survivor. I had to provide for my brother, who was 13, and my 6 year old sister. My father was in another country working, so I was left alone at nine years old to support my family.”

Her community became aware of her dire situation, and would leave produce and different ingredients at her doorstep. With the support and love of her town, she began cooking. 

Many years later, she has been cooking for all her life, creating recipes out of the necessity of her situation. “Creativity comes from your imagination. With two or three simple ingredients, you can make beautiful food! You do not need all this fancy stuff. Create with what God has given you inside your mind!”

Today, Sara dreams of sharing her cooking with everyone through The Unexpected Kitchen. Her products are all her own recipes. Every order handmade.

Read more of Sara's story in her debut recipe book that is NOW AVAILABLE for purchase, right here at The Unexpected Kitchen.