When we first met NBC Today Show’s Elena Besser to talk about our Cena a Casa Italian gift basket, we knew right away we had found the perfect voice for our story. From the very first moment, Elena immediately understood what makes Gustiamo special: not just the quality of the ingredients, but the culture, tradition, and joy behind them. It was clear to her that Cena a Casa was the ideal gift to feature on NBC’s Today Show, during the Delicious Gifts for Foodies segment. A gift that brings real Italian cooking into the home, effortlessly and authentically. Who wouldn’t want to receive that for Christmas?
When the segment aired, it was a smashing success!!
Gustiamo’s Cena a Casa Italian gift basket was the very first gift in the episode lineup, and Elena and her co-hosts could not hide their excitement. Watch the video below and you’ll see the genuine oohing and aahing as they explored each product, admiring our edible wonders from Italy.
“Cena a Casa” means dinner at home, and this basket was designed to reflect how Italians actually eat. Simple food, made with six quintessential Italian pantry staples, each chosen for its integrity, flavor, and craftsmanship:
- Caserecci by Pasta Faella, bronze cut, slow dried, and made with 100% Italian wheat in Gragnano
- Real San Marzano Tomatoes by Gustarosso, the real deal DOP king of tomatoes, sweet, full of flavor, and essential for a true Pasta al Pomodoro
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil by Ciccolella, made from 100% Coratina olives, just milled from the autumn 2025 harvest in Puglia
- Cannellini Beans by Bio Alberti, grown slowly and organically in Umbria by the Alberti family
- Coarse Sea Salt by Trapani Sale, unwashed and harvested naturally from Sicilian salt flats
- Chocolate Hazelnut Cream by Marco Colzani, made with just three ingredients and crafted by one of Italy’s most respected chocolatiers
The box also includes the Gustiamo signature recipe for Pasta al Pomodoro, a reminder that the most beloved Italian dishes rely on very few ingredients, when those ingredients are exceptional.
Seeing Cena a Casa on the Today Show was a very proud moment for the Gustiamo team, one of those joyful moments that remind us why we do what we do. Elena brought Gustiamo’s mission to the screen with the greatest enthusiasm, celebrating not only our products but the people and traditions behind them. Grazie Elena and grazie to our producers, who make it possible for us to have many Cene a Casa here in the US.