Islip High School students enjoyed an authentic culinary experience this week as Marcella Ansaldo, a chef and instructor from the island of Isola del Giglio in Tuscany, Italy, visited Alexandra Giacolone’s Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) class to teach the art of making traditional tiramisu.

Ansaldo, known for her commitment to authentic Italian cooking and seasonal ingredients, guided students through each step of the recipe — from pasteurizing eggs to preparing the mascarpone mixture and layering espresso-soaked ladyfingers with precision. 

“Cooking means being able to choose the right ingredients, in the right season, and combine them properly,” Ansaldo told the class, encouraging students to approach food not just as a recipe, but as a cultural expression and a craft rooted in intention.

Giacolone said the visit was an exceptional opportunity for her students to learn directly from an international chef. Someone she studied under while in Italy for two straight summers.

“We learned how to pasteurize eggs and put it all together," Giacolone said. "It was really cool to incorporate the Italian culture with American culture. It was such a privilege for her to come speak to my students."

Students enjoyed tasting their finished creations and walked away with new skills, new cultural knowledge, and a deeper appreciation for the simplicity and beauty of authentic Italian cuisine.

Islip High School continues to bring unique global experiences to the classroom, helping students connect learning with the broader world.