Valeria Lucente was born and raised in Molassana, a lively working-class neighborhood of Genoa, where food has always been a serious matter — as it is in most Italian families. From a very young age, she fell in love with cooking, spending countless hours in her family’s rosticceria, where her grandmother and uncles worked. That’s where flour, olive oil, and passion became part of her everyday life.

She studied at the Marco Polo Culinary School in Genoa and, after graduating, worked in several restaurants across the city, deepening her knowledge and strengthening her bond with Ligurian cuisine — especially focaccia, of course.

In 2009, Valeria moved to Amsterdam, where she continued her journey as a chef in different restaurants. While gaining international experience, she carried a clear dream with her: bringing the authentic flavors and traditions of Genoa to the Netherlands.

That dream became reality in May 2021 with the opening of Focacceria Amsterdam. Today, Valeria proudly shares a piece of her hometown every day — soft, fragrant, and rich with olive oil, just like in Genoa. A simple dough that carries memories, tradition, and the scent of home, reminding us that some things don’t need to be reinvented, only respected.