What toppings are on your ideal pizza?

I cannot tell you how many times I have thought about this question. Let’s begin! I’d start with a thin, fluffy, Neopolitan-style crust. Following this, I would use a cashew cream based sauce which mimics a bechamel, but with a little extra spice/seasoning in it. I would drizzle a very thin and oily Genovese pesto on top of the cashew cream. Next, I would put extremely thinly sliced sweet potatoes on top which have rosemary, salt, pepper, and paprika. Finally, I would put small pieces of vegan bacon (doesn’t have to be vegan but that’s a plus) on top as a nice savory and smoky garnish. Top with some freshly grated parmesan cheese if you’d like, e basta (and that’s it)! (This pizza is heavily inspired by a pizza I tried in Copenhagen at Pico Pizza)

What’s your favorite way to eat potatoes?

This is a hill I would die on: Gratin dauphinois. It’s a French potato dish. If you don’t know what it is, it’s basically the same thing as “scalloped potatoes” I think? It consists of thinly sliced potatoes cooked in a creamy and cheesy sauce. It is so comforting but also rich and feels fancy to me. It can be eaten as a more high-end side or also for a casual and hearty dinner. I dream of gratin dauphinois, but I rarely make it because I’m afraid of thinly slicing potatoes and do not own a mandolin. Gratin dauphinois always represents a special moment of indulgence surrounded by loved ones, as normally I only eat it during family gatherings, holidays, or dinner parties with friends. I always feel like the odd one out because as everyone else is enjoying their food a typical amount, I’m completely gobsmacked by how delicious the gratin dauphinois is!

What’s your favorite way to waste time?

My favorite way to waste time is watching YouTube videos. I will most likely bake something that makes me happy, and then I sit with my delicious food (do you notice a common theme here) and put on some comforting YouTube videos. I either watch Good Mythical Morning, Smosh, the Try Guys, or any food content. All of these creators are very nostalgic for me, so I am always transported into a place of comfort when I watch their videos. Amidst a busy schedule, taking a minute to step away and watch YouTube is a way that I can escape my to-do list and connect with my inner child :)

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

I would give advice to myself during my first year of living abroad. Moving to Milan was my first time ever stepping foot in Europe. Not only did I begin a degree, but I also suddenly met people from so many different cultures which I had never been exposed to before. I spent a lot of my first year living in Italy trying to alter my personality and mannerisms based on how I thought I “should” act now that I lived in Europe. I found myself mirroring the mannerisms and traits of my friends from other countries because I thought they were “better”. I still admire these cultures and people very much, but I completely realize now, looking back, that I didn’t have to feel so pressured to change. Change is normal and change can be great, but I did not need to force myself to become someone I am not just because I moved countries. As cheesy as it sounds, stay true to yourself. Welcome change with open arms, but don’t force it upon yourself if it is going to take away from your uniqueness and individuality.

What does Skola mean to you?

Skola, to me, means freedom. It encourages discourse around a topic which many don’t even know could be a conversation. It allows people to question the limits of where they grew up, where they could go, and where they may actually want to go, when otherwise they may be met with the sensation of feeling “stuck”. Skola helps alleviate this, it’s unlocking a new realization of freedom. I find this especially powerful considering the current political state of the US.