A kitchen can be a lifeline when life gets hard. We open the door to a year shaped by service, taste, and community: monthly meals at the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, where adults in treatment and their caregivers gather for nutrient-dense, comforting Italian dishes that are easy to repeat on long days. The work is different from a showy cooking class—more heart than spectacle—with a focus on protein, gentle textures, and flavor that stays kind to sensitive palates, all delivered with the warmth of a home-cooked evening.

From there, we map the 2026 calendar. Private group classes and employer team building remain fully custom and available virtually, designed to bring teams together across cities with menus that travel well and formats that spark connection. Our partners at The Brick Kitchen in Independence, Iowa, host a run of hands-on workshops: Nonna’s marinara, a Tuscan-leaning carbonara, fresh fettuccine, and handmade ravioli, each paired with thoughtful wine tastings. We also team up with Swamp Fox Bookstore for an olive oil–focused night—tasting, live cooking, and the option to bundle a new cookbook—while the Marion Library offers approachable entry points for beginners who want Italian staples without the stress.

Along the way, we celebrate a podcast milestone—10,000 downloads—and outline what’s next: fresh series, interviews, and a new twist we’ll unveil soon. We also share a personal project in motion: a cookbook memoir that weaves childhood cancer survivorship with family recipes from Tuscany and the lessons a grandmother passed down at the stove. If you’re an editor or publisher who loves culinary storytelling with heart, we want to hear from you.

Come for the pasta, stay for the purpose. Grab tickets to upcoming classes, share your 2026 goals with us, and invite a friend who needs a seat at a welcoming table. If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show, leave a quick review, and tell us which recipe you want to learn next.

• Donated over 100 hours cooking
• Donated over $200 to Feed Iowa First
• Donated over $300 to Feeding America
• Podcast reached 10,000 downloads

So much to look forward to in 2026:

* Core offerings – private group cooking classes and employer teambuilding events (custom menu and schedule) https://giasitaliankitchen.biz

* Social Media – short cooking videos, tips and recipes sent directly to you https://linktr.ee/giasitaliankitchen

* Hope Lodge – cooking for adult cancer patients and their caregivers, with a focus on nutritional and delicious recipes https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/patient-lodging/hope-lodge/iowa-city.html

* Brick Kitchen – advanced cooking classes in Independence, Iowa (tickets are almost gone, get yours NOW) https://www.thebrickkitchenstore.com/upcoming-classes.htm

• Jan/Feb – Carbonara and Marinara from Tuscany
• March – Homemade Pasta
• April – Homemade Ravioli

* Swamp Fox Bookstore – collaborative, ticketed events with cookbook authors https://swampfoxbookstore.com/gia

o Thursday, March 5 – Olive Oil tasting and Charcuterie making

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

My name is Kelley Cole, hear the story unfold,

In the kitchen I shine, got a heart made of gold.

Simmering sauces, olive oil slick,

Italian flavors—now that’s my trick.

From pasta to pizza, risotto on cue,

Every dish I make tastes molto bellissimo too.

So when aromas roll in and the good times roll,

You know it’s cooked with love by Kelley Cole

Learn more about Gia's Italian Kitchen:

https://giasitaliankitchen.biz

Watch my short video:

https://youtube.com/shorts/GooOjgsZcBw?feature=share

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

Need a unique Christmas gift? Here’ a gift that stands apart!

Give a cooking experience straight from the heart.

Not something to wrap or hide on a shelf,

But time spent together, shared with someone else.

Friends and family cooking, laughing, and too

A gift full of flavor they’ll always love you for.

This season give more than just something to buy,

Give memories made – one dish at a time!

I will send you a gift certificate that you can give to your friend or family member before Christmas!

Buy now or learn more about virtual and in-person cooking experiences:

https://giasitaliankitchen.biz/shop

Watch this short video on my YouTube channel:

https://youtube.com/shorts/QfWYDXAylGM?feature=share

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!