Jenna Arcidiacono | Woman of Achievement & Courage Honoree
- Year: 2025
- Location: WomanUp and Celebrate West Michigan
Chef-Owner of Amore Trattoria | Founder of Food Hugs
Woman of Achievement & Courage Honoree
Jenna’s first job was slinging chili dogs and root beer floats at Cook’s Drive-In in Kentwood. Slowly, she began realizing that cooking was more than just a way to pay for her stirrup pants, music cassettes and perms. After high school she attended Michigan State University and again found herself working in restaurants near campus.
Wanting to live in a big city after graduation, she moved to San Francisco where she fell in love a handsome Italian who was visiting from Milan. She moved to Italy with him. Spending three years in the kitchen with her new mother-in-law, her passion for Italian Casalinga cuisine grew stronger. Moving back to the United States, Jenna realized it was time to take the leap and open Amore Trattoria Italiana. Meeting her guests in the dining room became part of the experience and her connection to the community.
During COVID Jenna started Food Hugs feeding frontline workers during the COVID pandemic. She continues to learn by hosting culinary trips all over Italy twice a year. If you see a sparkly pink SUV on the streets with a “Food Hug“ license plate, that’s her.
