Our Story

Cosenza, Italy, holds the origin story of Pastosa. Here, a young Lucia, raised in a nunnery until 12, discovered her culinary calling in an unexpected way. Assigned chores, Lucia opted for dishwashing over laundry duty. Little did anyone know, the kitchen would become her haven, a place where the clatter of dishes transformed into a symphony of future creations. At the age of 18, Lucia took her passport picture and started her way to America. Pastosa is the culmination of Lucia’s journey & a testament to how a resourceful 5-year-old with a dishcloth blossomed into the talented chef she is today.

And then there’s Skip!

At the Galt flea market years ago, Skip’s statues caught Lucia’s eye (and maybe the smell of her future recipes caught his!). Food sparked their connection, and 25 years later, Pastosa By Lucia was born. It’s a meeting of cultures on a plate - Skip’s American touch and Lucia’s authentic flavors. He crafts the pasta, she dreams up the dishes. A perfect pair.

Growing up surrounded by the aroma of freshly made pasta, Gabriella learned the art of cooking from her mo. But her talents extend beyond the kitchen! A graduate of UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, Gabriella has played a key role in growing the family business since its inception. Now, she's sharing her passion for pasta and her family's traditions with you. In this hands-on class, you'll discover the secrets to crafting delicate ravioli filled with creamy ricotta and fragrant herbs. Gabriella's patient guidance and family recipes will inspire you to create authentic Italian dishes from scratch. Leave with the skills and confidence to impress your friends and family, and rediscover the simple pleasure of sharing a homemade meal.

I'm incredibly excited about our partnerships with local farmers. For me, this is a natural extension of our family's commitment to quality and a reflection of my own passion for a more sustainable food system. By working directly with the amazing farmers in our community, we're not only able to source the freshest, most flavorful ingredients, but we're also helping to support a more resilient and environmentally conscious local economy.
There's an undeniable difference in taste when you know exactly where your food comes from and the care that went into growing it. Take, for example, the tomatoes we get at the height of summer - they're bursting with a sweetness and acidity that you just can't find in mass-produced varieties. Or the fragrant basil, picked just hours before it makes its way into fresh tomato sauce. These are the kinds of flavors that elevate a dish from good to extraordinary. And beyond the taste, I find it incredibly rewarding to build personal relationships with the people who are so dedicated to their craft. Visiting their farms, seeing their passion firsthand, and learning about their sustainable practices is truly inspiring!!
I believe that our customers will not only taste the difference in our food but also appreciate the deeper connection to our local agriculture. It's about transparency, traceability, and a shared commitment to building a more vibrant and sustainable food community, one meal at a time.
Stay tuned to see who we are partnering with this year! We have some exciting collaborations in the works that we can't wait to share with you.
- Gabriella