A bit of history about Mama Rose

In the 1970's, when my children were young, I'd listen to rock n' roll and cook and laugh and dance around the kitchen. Come to think about it ...I still do that. I taught natural food cooking classes then, and fed my children very, very well.

Everything I cook is sautéed, simmered, roasted and spiced with my Italian heritage. My mom passed on her huge collection of recipes, and over the years I've taken my experience in preparing natural foods, added an Italian approach, mixed in a musical flair, and that's what you'll find in my kitchen. I prescribe to Carlo Petrini's and the Italian people's Slow Food concept. I grew up that way, and I enjoy sharing that pleasure with others.

Six years ago, "Mama Rose's Kitchen" was ignited. Big T and RassDog, who produce and host a music show called "The Gourmet Buffet" on KZFR 90.1 community radio, gave me the chance to try radio. I'd cook something up, bring it to the station, the guys would taste it, then we'd talk about it on the air, and I'd give out the recipe. This morphed into a partnership with Loretta Metcalf, a retired Chico State administrator who is a great cook and is also Italian. Plus she knows a lot about wine and vegetable gardening. We produced and hosted our own show, "Mangia With The Mamas" for five years together. Mama Lou has since retired. With my own show,"Mama Rose's Kitchen", I'm having the time of my life.  Growing my life's work is a great adventure.

We are volunteers at KZFR (except for a small paid staff). I do my show for the love of food, music and my community radio station.