Alex Zagami

Owner of Piccolini NYC

Our friend Alex Zagami is owner of the New York City centric children’s boutique, Piccolini. Piccolini specializes in thoughtful and unique gifts that are perfect for this holiday season. We especially love her fun food gifts and trademark t-shirt, in which a portion of the proceeds is donated to charity. Not only can you purchase an adorable gift for that special child – you can feel great about giving! 

Website: piccolininyc.com

Facebook Page: facebook.com/PiccoliniNYC

Twitter: @piccolininyc

Instagram: @piccolininyc

What was your favorite food to eat as a child?

My favorite food to eat as a child …… My Grandpa Sonny’s cookies. He owned Savoia, a bakery in Little Italy and retired after my parents were married. I never got to see the bakery, but my Grandpa was known for spoiling everyone with his sweet treats. I was always a fussy eater as a child, so he created in me the bad habit of cookies for dinner. In tribute to him, my store’s colors resemble The Rainbow Cookie …. We also use bakers twine as an homage to him.

Do you have children? If so, what do you like to make for them or with them?

I am not a Mom just yet … But I consider my store my baby. Perhaps the greatest gift of owning my store is being able to watch families grow. I love seeing expecting mothers in the store and then again when their little one is born. I consider myself very fortunate in that sense.

What is your favorite childhood memory in the kitchen?

My favorite childhood memory in the kitchen ( and I’m still guilty of this today ) is picking at my Dad’s dishes before he puts them out to serve, especially the antipasti! The end of the mozzarella is my favorite, which he usually saves for me

What was your favorite recipe to help make when you were a kid?

My favorite recipe to help as a kid is something as simple as scrambled eggs. Just being able to help anyone in the kitchen at such a young age was a thrill. The kitchen for me has been and will always be my favorite room in the home.

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.