SWEET PASSION

I visited Italy for the first time in 1996. This was before cell phones and easy access to the internet. The only way to get around was through word-of-mouth and travel tips from a giant Lonely Planet book. It was an adventure and it was full of new discoveries. It was also the first time I experienced proper espresso and cafés.

When I got home from Europe, I tried to recreate that same feeling of enjoying the sweet life. I kept tweaking recipes to find the perfect combo of food, drinks, and lifestyle. And because I am a perfectionist, I always found ways to improve my recipes. Still, they never seemed to taste as good as in Italy (despite positive feedback).

But I kept at it and perfected my biscotti after countless batches. After that, I shifted to breads, cakes and bakes that I like. Then, when I moved to Niagara Region, I began unlocking some hot sauce recipes after growing tomatoes and hot peppers in my garden. Sweet Bastard was born.