above: Recipes from Gass’ most recent cookbook, Polpette di Tono (above left) and Fonduto (above right).
New Cannan local takes culinary influencing to the next level with a new cooking show produced by Rachael Ray.
Growing up with an Italian immigrant mother, Anna Francese Gass, could always count on a delicious, authentic, homemade dinner. Her genealogy, coupled with childhood summer trips to Calabria and Florence, might make one think that becoming
a chef would be second nature for Gass. But she notes, “cooking is not a talent, it’s a skill.” It wasn’t until early adulthood that Gass realized how much happiness could be made in a kitchen.
While attending New York University, Gass found herself less than thrilled with dining hall food. She spent countless hours checking in with her mom at home and asking about her recipes in an effort to recreate the comfort food she had grown up with. “I even had an illegal hotplate in my room,” Gass jokes. But after graduating with a double major in psychology and journalism, becoming a chef was not on Gass’ radar.
A Turning Point
After a few years in the corporate world, Gass found herself feeling unfulfilled, knowing deep down, that she needed something more. A phone conversation with her father changed everything. Hearing about his daughter’s inner turmoil, he said, “You’re always watching Rachael Ray and reading Gourmet magazine, why don’t you go to culinary school?” Before she knew it, Gass was enrolled in the French Culinary Institute and spent the next nine months happily honing her skills in the kitchen. Upon graduation, Gass landed a two-year gig in the test kitchen at Martha Stewart Living—first as an intern and later as a recipe developer, often the one preparing the meals that were being featured on the show. For the first time, Gass felt she was exactly where she was meant to be. “You spend more time at your job than anywhere else, why not try to make it the most joyful thing that you do?” says Gass.
Second-Act Success
Combining the writing skills she gained as a journalism student with her culinary talents, Gass set out to create a cookbook. The idea for Heirloom Kitchen stemmed from conversations with her mother about the desire to have a physical record of their own family recipes that had been passed down through generations. With that as her inspiration, Gass traveled across the country to interview and record the recipes of 40 women, all of whom immigrated to the United States. Her book, which was released in 2019, propelled Gass into the spotlight, seemingly overnight.
On-Camera Charisma
In addition to an article in the New York Times, Glass appeared on a number of national television shows, including Good Morning America and a variety of shows on The Food Network. “You write a book and you need to promote it, but you have no idea how you’ll actually do on camera,” says Gass. “I did a four-minute segment on the Food Network where I plugged the book and afterwards the producer came up to me and said ‘you are so good at this!’” With her notoriety gaining momentum, Gass was invited on Good Morning America and has since appeared on the show 15 times.
In addition to her in-print and on-air presence, Gass also focused on social media as a place where she could easily reach and connect with large audiences. Gass’ Instagram grid is now flooded with videos of her guiding her more than 140,000 followers through recipes as if they were in the kitchen with her. And each video ends with her signature phrase “yum to the yum.”
Taking on television
In 2024, Gass released her second book, Italian Snacking, and was asked to make an appearance on the Rachael Ray Show, which felt like a dream come true. After years of watching her on television, Gass was thrilled to be in the same kitchen as Ray and the two instantly hit it off. The bond lead to Gass’ latest culinary project: a cooking show called Instant Italian. Teaming up with A&E Network, Ray’s Free Food Studios produces the series, which debuted on March 10 as part of the network’s Home.Made.Nation programming.
In the show, Gass guides viewers through various Italian dishes in a way that can be easily replicated at home. “My TV show is about teaching people how to make the kitchen a happy and safe place. Not only do I focus on simple recipes, but I always explain exactly why I’m doing what I’m doing,” she says. “I want people to finish watching the show thinking, ‘I can do this’ and to go make my recipe,” says Gass.
Local Roots
When asked about the local community’s reaction to her success, Gass says with gratitude that, “this town has been so supportive of my career. Elm Street Books and the library have both been so wonderful with both of my book launches, the how, and always asking how they can help.” For the debut of Instant Italian, The New Canaan Library hosted a premier viewing event that was so well-attended it was standing room only. As far as Gass is concerned, there can never be too many cooks in her kitchen.
Gass resides in New Canaan with her husband, three children and Boxer named Levi. To follow Gass’ culinary journey and the recipes she shares, visit her on Instagram @annafgass or tune into her new show.