“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
If you are in Lecco and you’re looking for a cozy place where to eat local food, we have the right place with a wonderful story.
Well, we all wish to follow our dreams and our passion but are caught in the world of 9-5 jobs. But not all are governed by this, some people muster the courage to leave what most would dream of and follow their heart, follow their passion. Today, we want to share with you the story of Maria Ida Anghileri and her dreams.
She has always had two passions: photography and her Lake. She decided to follow her first passion, but like all love stories this one too had an heartbreak. In the first part of her life, she started to follow her passion for photography which she pursued diligently. She studied art and then specialized in industrial photography and for many years lived with the camera around her neck. She worked hard and become quite successful as she was precise and used the best technique. But her creativity was bleeding inside so when her firm closed, she decided to go back to pursue her passion of living at the Lake.
She then felt the need to share with others her happiness, joys of living in Garlate, a small town at Lake Como. She wanted people to come and enjoy the Lake view, eat healthier, enjoy the small moments of life. She decided to open her beautiful world for the world and she started an AGRITURISMO – IL RONCO. Guests can come and live in the rooms available. They can take a break from their hectic schedules and enjoy nature at its best.
At her agriturismo, there is an endearing farm shop, the customers can buy and taste delicious products. She also sells an extra virgin olive oil, obtained from her olives harvested by hand and pressed during the day in the mill of Biosio (LC), thus ensuring a high quality flavory oil. She prepares jams, and sauces from fruits and vegetables grown on her farm.
As she wanted to introduce people to the cuisine of her countryside, she also opened a restaurant which now has two dining halls. The one upstairs has the magical view of the magnificent Lake Garlate and the other hall with medieval interiors provides a warm atmosphere with a large stone fireplace. In summer, guests can enjoy their meal outside amidst natural surroundings. All the the raw materials like extra virgin olive oil, cold cuts, vegetables, meats, fruits, jams, bread and pasta are production of her company.
Maria Ida also aims at informing and educating people about food and nature people and the good life in a farm, so she organizes farm tours. The farm is the ideal place to offer children and adults a chance to get in touch with nature and learn about the rural and traditional methods of breeding and agriculture.
Well, now she lives in her little town where her heart and passion is. And you definitely can see and taste it at her agriturismo.