Claudia Belotti Pruett is a specialist in Italian cooking. At the age of five, she began helping her mother and grandmother make pasta for family dinners. Italian cooking customs, including preparing fresh pasta, making tomato sauce, and baking bread, are traditions that she continues with her family.

Claudia is a busy mom and active community member. Cooking for others is her passion. She says: “Thank God for Dirty Dishes!” because she knows that if her sink is full of pots and pans, she has prepared and enjoyed a great meal with loved ones. She frequently shares kitchen secrets and creations – from elaborate pasta meals to fancy desserts – with family and friends.

Claudia has 20 years of professional culinary experience. She is a partner with co-author, Rima Barkett in A Tavola Together Foundation, an educational non-profit that promotes healthy cooking and eating to school-age children. With Rima, she is also a partner in Café Luna Catering and for four years, was a weekly guest Chef at Café Luna Spaghetteria.

Professional Credits:

• guest chef for the Pacific Italian Alliance,
• instructor chef at Beyond Pots and Pans, a cookware store,
• catering chef and consultant,
• food stylist,
• community advisor to Lincoln High School Home Economics Dept.

Writing Credits:

• contributing writer to Elegant Lifestyles Magazine (elegantmagazine.com),
• contributing food editor to Corriere della Valle, a publication of the Pacific Italian Alliance,
• contributing author to Building Bridges, the 2008 San Francisco Writers Conference Anthology, SF Writers Anthology, iUniverse, publisher,
• children’s book author: Anna Bake Cupcakes, finalist in the 2008 SF Writers Conference Writing Contest

She has also been featured in The Record Food & Local Sections (www.recordnet.com)

Noteworthy Instructor-Chef appearances:

• May 2009 – TV Appearance, Guest Chef on Fox 40 News – (www.fox40.com)
• December 2007 – Catered dinner in Rome, Italy, with partner, Rima Barkett for George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Mayor Walter Veltroni, and Nobel Peace Laureates Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams.
• June 2007 to April 2009 – Ten TV Appearances, Guest Chef on Sacramento & CO – (www.sacandco.net) A Food, Home & Entertainment TV Show
• Nov. 2007 – Home Tour benefit for American Association of University Women
• Oct. 2007 – “Concorso di Frittata” benefit for Pacific Italian Alliance
• Sept. 2007 – “Tutti in Piazza” benefit for Child Abuse Prevention Council
• May 2007, 2008 – “GO Red” benefit for the American Heart Association
• Oct. 2006 – “Concorso di Pesto” benefit for Pacific Italian Alliance
• Oct. 2005, 2006, 2007 – “Tutti in Piazza” benefit for Child Abuse Prevention Council
• Oct. 2005 – “Concorso dei Biscotti” benefit for Pacific Italian Alliance
• April 2005 -- Lodi Zin Fest, Lodi California
• April 2005, 2008 – Stockton Asparagus Festival
• Sept. 2002 -- The Italian Festa – Stockton Italian Club
• June 2000 -- World Tomato Congress and Food Symposium, Sacramento, California.

Claudia received a Bachelor of Science degree in Combined Sciences and Biochemistry and a Masters in Business Administration from Santa Clara University. She actively participates in the improvement of her community. She is:

• Board Member of the Pacific Italian Alliance;
• Trustee and Past-President of Dameron Hospital Foundation;
• Board member of the Children’s Home of Stockton Auxiliary;
• Board member of Major-Gifts Committee, Church of the Presentation;
• Children’s Instructor for the Central Valley School of Italian, and
• past board member of the Stockton Shelter for the Homeless.

She belongs to the International Association of Culinary Professionals, The International Food, Wine and Travel Writer’s Organization, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.