Alessandra Zecchini

Born in Milan and educated in Italy and the UK, Alessandra’s background is in design and languages. Resident in Auckland since 1997, she directs writing, social media and design services for Oratia. Alessandra is the author of several cookbooks, the founder and director of the Festival Italiano Auckland, and involved in charitable organisations including the Com.it.es Wellington, the Dante Alighieri Society of Auckland, and Slow Food Auckland. She speaks Italian, English, Japanese and Spanish. In October 2018, President Sergio Mattarella made Alessandra a Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy for services to Italian culture and relations with New Zealand.