From Capri to Clevedon

LEWIS CLARKE chats to an Italian mum who created her perfect work life balance here in the West Country

- LEWIS CLARKE

WHEN Jessica De Marco first arrived in Clevedon, she wasn't setting out to start a culinary revolution. She was looking for community, balance and a place to raise her daughter. Yet, just two years after launching Pasta Presto, Jessica's name has become synonymous with authentic Italian cooking that's as nourishing as it is nostalgic. But her journey wasn’t so neatly plated.

Born on the island of Capri in southern Italy, Jessica grew up in the aromatic embrace of kitchens, where her grandmother Rosa simmered sauces and her grandfather sold Italian cheeses. "My passion for cooking comes from growing up in a family of chefs," she says. "I spent countless hours in the kitchen with my grandmother." Her childhood was steeped in the textures and tastes of southern Italian cuisine, yet she didn’t always know this passion would become her profession.

In her early years, Jessica leaned into both art and cooking, eventually earning a culinary arts diploma before relocating to the UK to study food science and nutrition at Bath Spa University. But it was only after becoming a mother that her career trajectory shifted decisively. "I realised that the corporate world wasn't the best fit for me anymore," she explains. "I wanted to do something that combined my love for food and all my knowledge, while being able to provide a healthier alternative for families."

The idea for Pasta Presto wasn't born in a flash of inspiration but rather grew out of necessity. "After having my baby and leaving my corporate job, I found myself craving a healthier alternative to the greasy takeaways I used to rely on when working long hours," she says.

That craving stirred more than hunger - it reignited a connection to home. "I missed the comforting Southern Italian dishes, so I thought, 'Why not bring a taste of Italy to Clevedon?'