Who creates the Yummy Italy magic?

Ciao!

Ciao! I’m Helena Kyriakides, originally from London but happily settled in the breathtaking Bologna Hills for the past 25 years. As a child, I was immersed in the Mediterranean food culture, spending hours in the kitchen with my Greek ‘Yiayià’ or granny and with my Italian next-door neighbours from Piacenza. 

My love affair with Emilia Romagna’s incredible food began from childhood and since the moment I arrived in Bologna, way back in 2000, I have been diving deeper into its delicious traditions.

Before moving to Italy, I built my career in Marketing, Communications & Events working with big names like PRET and Nestlé. Then life took an exciting turn on my arrival in Italy when I landed a dream job as International Event Manager at Automobili Lamborghini, where I spent 12 unforgettable years planning prestigious events all over the world.

A few years after my son came along, I decided it was time to swap the stress of the corporate life for something more flexible, so I worked as a consultant for the food and automotive industries. This gave me the freedom to explore my true passion—Emilia Romagna’s food and wine. I embarked on my official educational journey and eventually turned my passion into my profession by founding Yummy Italy in the summer of 2014. And I have been learning ever since! 

I’m lucky enough to have worked with the Emilia Romagna Tourist Board and Regional Wine Cellar, as their regional food expert. I have also hosted the international press and share the magic of this region with people from all over the world.

I work with a small handful of strictly Food & Wine certified freelance guides, so that if I am unable to guide you personally, I know you will be in excellent hands. 

I can’t wait to introduce you to the incredible food, wine, and culture of Emilia Romagna—let’s make it a journey to remember!

If you are a member of the Dr. Joe Dispenza Community please let me know as I love to connect with like-minded souls! 

Press Coverage

Yummy Italy has been featured in the Sunday Telegraph, Sydney Morning Herald, Great Italian Chefs magazine, Food & Wine Magazine, Huffpost Taste, Global Industry Travel News, The London Economic Magazine, the Food Travelers Guide to Emilia Romagna, on NBC Euronews, and Marie Forleo TV, as well as the award-winning blog With Husband In Tow and various other on-line magazines and blogs. We have also been mentioned in Travelmag.coms list of the 10 most unique things to do in Bologna and appeared on the front page of the Italian online Food & Wine magazine, Gazzetta del Gusto. 

My moment of glory was teaching Sheila Dillon, decade-long host of BBC4’s The Food Programme, how to make pasta by hand. 

My Story

Everything has a beginning and a story and this is mine. From London suburbia, Greek Grammar lessons, punishments in Grandma's kitchen, Italian Mortadella from Mrs Bergonzi, Indian curries, underground sandwiches to the hills of Bologna via Switzerland's Lake Geneva, a french-fry vending machine, Lamborghini cars and everything in between. 

Listen to the podcast of My Story below.