http://www.gonaples.com/staff/chiara-assi/<p><strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ndn.chiara.assi">■ Let's be friends on Facebook!</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://twitter.com/ndn_chiara_assi/">■ Follow me on Twitter</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://cookingmaniac.blogspot.com/">■ See what I'm cooking, read my blog</a></strong></p> When I was little I didn't like food. In my hometown of Milano, Italy, my foodie family gorged on the incredible meals that they prepared, while I sat and picked at my pasta with butter -one of the few dishes I ate. The last thing my parents would have imagined is that I would grow up to be a restaurant critic and food writer. But that's what I did. By the time I was 10, I had become extremely interested in food and cooking. Helping in the kitchen and trying new foods everyday was the name of the game. That made me pretty popular with my friends once I hit high school because I could feed them -and loved to- regardless of the time of day. Pasta at midnight? No problem. Sandwiches for lunch? Sure! Once I even baked a cake at 2 in the morning. If I have to be honest, though, I never though about becoming a food writer. I wanted to be a journalist, that I always knew, but I wanted to cover foreign affairs, wars and the likes. After receiving my Associate degree in Communication Science from IULM university in MIlano, I moved on this side of the Atlantic and received a B.A. in Communications at Florida Gulf Coast University in 2005. In 2006 I started my job as an intern for NDN's coastalbeat.com, where I covered bars and local events. Writing a review for the website's "Eats: $15 and under" was the first step towards my current career. Once I transitioned to the Features department I gladly started writing about food and restaurants on a weekly basis. My love and knowledge of food makes my job always exciting and very rewarding. When I'm not working I like to spend time at home, with my 103 cookbooks, or out on the water, scuba diving, wakeboarding and grilling on the beach. en-ushttp://www.gonaples.com/photos/2009/dec/24/140853/Amaretti cookiesThu, 24 Dec 2009 05:05:09 -0000http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2009/dec/24/140853/http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2009/dec/23/140728/Amaretti cookiesWed, 23 Dec 2009 15:50:11 -0000http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2009/dec/23/140728/http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/may/22/66492/Tiny bikinis, pina coladas and watersports: Fort Myers Beach is the perfect spot for a party animal.Thu, 22 May 2008 15:53:00 -0000http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/may/22/66492/http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/may/15/66003/Nassau, Bahamas; the Fascination spent 24 fun-filled hours docked next to Paradise Island and AtlantThu, 15 May 2008 16:37:00 -0000http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/may/15/66003/http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/may/15/66002/The Carnival Fascination features 10 decks, several dining options, four swimming pools, and everythThu, 15 May 2008 16:34:00 -0000http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/may/15/66002/http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/apr/07/62969/The moon rising above us as we make it back to the dock.Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:16:00 -0000http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/apr/07/62969/http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/apr/07/62968/Captain John Murray keeps everyone entertained on board of his sailboat, "All In"Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:14:00 -0000http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/apr/07/62968/http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/feb/21/58099/The Earth's shadow slowly creeps up on the Moon.Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:58:00 -0000http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/feb/21/58099/http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/feb/21/58094/A little after 9 p.m. on Feb. 20th the lunar eclipse becomes visible.Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:34:00 -0000http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2008/feb/21/58094/http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2007/dec/26/52829/Ham croquettes - deep fried and delicious - are a great way to start your Cuban lunch.Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:26:00 -0000http://www.gonaples.com/photos/2007/dec/26/52829/