I often think about how our first memories shape who we are. One that stands out for me is helping my mother make lasagna during the holidays. It was a full-day activity. We had a very small kitchen, and although I didn’t see it back then, everything had its place for rolling the dough into sheets, making the sugo (marinara), and preparing all the ingredients. The finale was putting it all together, layer by layer, and placing it in the oven. Each piece was made to near perfection. When the lasagna came out, it was a work of art.

It's debatable whether I’ve been able to outdo my Ma’s lasagna. My belief is her instruction—and more importantly, her needing my help as part of our heritage—inspired me to make my own version. Now there are two amazing lasagnas out there.

This memory led to the name of Homemade Pasta. Perfecting the process and mastering the craft are so important in the kitchen, because both lead to innovation and experimentation. There will always be new interpretations of pasta, which has so many parallels in marketing. As an agency, my hope is we always strive to make things different and better. With that, let’s make some pasta.

Salute.