Manuela Darling-Gansser was born in Lugano, Switzerland. She spent her early childhood years in Iran before returning to school in Zurich. An inveterate traveller and keen linguist she has lived in the USA, Japan, Italy and the UK, and visited other parts of Asia, India and North Africa. Inspired by family traditions, she has been a passionate cook all her adult life. Her successful travel and food books include Under the Olive Tree, Autumn in Piemonte and the forthcoming Spring in Sicily. She lives with her family in Sydney.