Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danara Cavalieri. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Danara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
At Essenza Amalfitana, our mission is deeply rooted in our personal stories as immigrants. We bring together the rich cultural experiences of Franco, an Italian; Danara, a Venezuelan with Italian grandparents; and Ana Maria, a Spaniard with strong Italian ties. Our journey is a testament to the love and traditions passed down through generations.
What makes this mission meaningful to us is the profound connection we feel to our heritage and the memories that food evokes. For example, our first recipe, **melanzane Sott’olio** (eggplant in oil), was created for Franco to remind him of his parent, Mario, who lives in Amalfi and visits only once a year. Each jar we produce carries a piece of that love and longing, encapsulating the warmth of family gatherings and the joy of sharing a meal.
We aim to create more than just delicious food; we want to help others connect with their own stories, their childhood memories, and their cultural roots. In a world that often feels divided, our mission is a bridge, inviting everyone to share in the beautiful human experience through the flavors that unite us all. This is our love letter to family, culture, and community, and it’s what drives us every day.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Danara Cavalieri, and I have the honor of being the owner and founder of **Essenza Amalfitana**. My journey into the world of culinary arts began far from the kitchen. I originally trained as a Clinical Forensic Psychologist, earning my degree in Venezuela and gaining valuable experience in both Spain and Venezuela. However, when I arrived in the United States, I faced the challenge of adapting my career in a new environment. Unable to practice psychology fully, I sought alternatives and became certified as a Coach and Hypnotherapist. For more than 6 years, I worked at a mental health clinic and in a coaching company, where I thrived as a Coach and Project Manager. However, after a massive layoff struck the company and left me without a job, I found myself at a crossroads.
During a trip to Italy, my father-in-law, Mario, introduced me to a dish that would change my life: his delectable **melanzane Sott’olio** (eggplant in oil). Inspired by this taste of home, I began experimenting in the kitchen with a simple, heartfelt mission: to recreate the flavors that reminded me of family and love. Mario’s recipe resonated deeply with Franco, and it sparked a realization within me—a desire to share these cherished connections through food.
In a deeply transformative moment, my mother suggested we pursue what I loved and start our own antipasti company. This idea ignited a passion that led me to reconnect with the joyful memories of my childhood, particularly those spent in the kitchen with my maternal grandmother, who always had flour dusted on her apron as she created her culinary magic. One vivid image remains etched in my heart: the sight of her hands cooking alongside mine, guiding me, and affirming that I was on the right path.
At **Essenza Amalfitana**, our products are more than just antipasti; they embody emotion, nostalgia, and a connection to family and home. We are proud to offer 100% natural products, free from additives. Through rigorous laboratory research, we’ve developed a way for our antipasti to be preserved for up to two years without refrigeration, without sacrificing quality or flavor—this sets us apart from many other products on the market.
We wholeheartedly believe in the importance of healthy eating. Our antipasti are vegetarian, made with top-quality ingredients and minimal processing, celebrating the purity of the flavors we love. Our consumers appreciate the love and dedication that go into each jar, crafted with care by our family.
While our antipasti are perfect for enjoying as appetizers, we also encourage creative uses in cooking and seasoning, enhancing meals in delightful ways.
What I’m most proud of is how we’ve blended our family’s traditions and stories into a product that brings joy and connection to others, echoing the love that inspired us. I hope that potential clients and followers see **Essenza Amalfitana** as a celebration of culture, a tribute to the bonds we share over food, and a reminder that every jar carries the warmth of our family’s kitchen. We invite everyone on this culinary journey with us—together, we can savor the flavors of our heritage and create new memories to cherish for years to come.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The most important lesson I had to unlearn was transitioning from being an employee to becoming an entrepreneur. In my previous role, I was accustomed to following established guidelines and objectives set by others. While there was room for creativity, it was always within the parameters defined by someone else.
This lesson really hit home during a critical moment when I was in the middle of delivering our products and encountered an issue with the jars I had purchased—they had defects. At that moment, I realized that as an entrepreneur, I had to take responsibility for everything, including unforeseen problems like this. Instead of relying on a company’s support system to handle issues, I needed to make quick, informed decisions to resolve challenges on my own.
This situation pushed me to embrace the reality that I must be proactive and think strategically about each obstacle. I couldn’t set limits on my ambitions or decisions; I had to adapt, be resourceful, and navigate through adversity. This experience taught me that every choice I make has repercussions, so it’s crucial to be thoughtful and smart about the decisions I put into action.
Through this journey, I learned that success isn’t just about following a predetermined path; it’s about taking ownership, embracing the challenges, and daring to shape your own destiny. This shift has been both challenging and rewarding, instilling in me the values of resilience, creativity, and the power of accountability.
We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.
Yes, we make our products ourselves. Initially, the process was very natural and simple—we started on a small scale, crafting a few jars at a time, just as it would be done for family. It was all about time, patience, and enjoying the experience without pressure. However, as our orders began to increase, so did the stress, demands, and intricacies of the production process. What once felt comfortable and familiar became a challenge; we had to adapt to larger quantities, adjust weights, manage refrigeration times, and fine-tune cooking processes.
This evolution prompted us to start from scratch in many ways. We began taking measurements, calculating weights, and timing every step meticulously. Today, we’re proud to have developed a standardized process that allows us to produce larger quantities without compromising the quality of our products.
We’ve been fortunate to have guidance along the way from other entrepreneurs. We reached out to others in the industry, and it’s fascinating how easily people with similar goals can come together to support one another. Their insights helped us navigate the complexities of scaling up our production.
Throughout this journey, I’ve learned invaluable lessons about product creation. I’ve learned to be patient and resilient, to persevere through setbacks, and to embrace frustration as part of the learning process. It often takes countless attempts to achieve what you’re aiming for, and sometimes, you might find success on the fifth try, only to encounter a setback on the sixth. This taught me the importance of maintaining curiosity and never becoming too complacent in our approach.
Ultimately, I’ve come to trust the process—recognizing that being scientifically precise and careful in our methods is essential to achieving the best results. Each step we take brings us closer to our goal, and we’re committed to upholding the quality and authenticity that our customers love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.essenzamalfitana.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essenzamalfitana/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danara-cavalieri-0320b330/
Image Credits
Pictures: Matea Michelangeli
https://www.instagram.com/mateamiche/