Giulia Scargetta, an entrepreneur from Umbria, turned her passion for Made in Italy into a concrete and innovative project in New York. After years in investment banking and strategic consulting in Milan and an MBA in Switzerland, the move to the United States in 2018 was the opportunity to give life to a business that combines managerial skills, creativity and authentic values linked to Italy. With Tasty Ribbon, Giulia brings Italian flavors and craftsmanship directly into American homes through gift boxes and marketplace, emphasizing the land and people behind each product. We interviewed her for TheNewyorker.
Every product we choose has a story to tell. My mission is to make sure that whoever opens a Tasty Ribbon gift box receives not just a gift, but a piece of authentic, modern Italy, made of passion, expert hands and unique territories.
How did the idea for Tasty Ribbon come about and what prompted you to create this project?
When I moved to New York , where the gastronomic variety is enormous, I realized that something was missing that really reflected Italy as it is today. I also had the opportunity to reflect on what I really wanted to accomplish, and I realized that I wanted to share authentic Italy in its modernity to a new and current more digital audience. Growing up in Umbria, I learned to recognize quality and connection to the land, and I wanted to bring that here, far from home. So Tasty Ribbon was born: a project where every gift box becomes a real experience. It’s not just about food, but about memory, identity, and love of craftsmanship. The idea was also a way to put myself out there as an entrepreneur. I didn’t have a ready-made model, but I had a desire to build something of my own, telling a story that could have a real positive impact, taking advantage of the potential of digital technology. I started by testing products, talking to small producers, studying every detail of packaging, packaging, sustainability. Each choice was a step toward a clear vision: Italy as an experience to be lived, not just a brand to be consumed.
What values guide the choice of producers?
At the heart of Tasty Ribbon are small producers. People who dedicate their lives to a product. The choice to work with them stems from a specific desire: to support those who put passion, who preserve the land and who, often, struggle to emerge in a competitive market. I have met extraordinary people who carry on family businesses, innovate without giving up tradition, and tell their story through food. It is amazing how much a simple product can have years of experience, effort and creativity behind it. For me, it is crucial to give visibility to this entrepreneurship. Every producer we choose has a unique story. Our goal is to listen to those stories, understand them, and tell them through the gift boxes. It’s not just about selling, it’s about connecting: customers feel the authenticity and, often, become as passionate about it as we are.
How do you balance quality, authenticity and sustainability in your daily work?
Sustainability was a natural choice. I couldn’t talk about authentic Italy if I didn’t respect the people and the land from which the products come. We collaborate with producers who follow environmentally friendly practices, who care about biodiversity, and who work on a human scale. In addition, we have developed a gift box reuse program: people who receive a package can return it, and we put it back into circulation, reducing waste and creating a more conscious community. It is a small choice, but one that has great meaning. Behind every product is a careful evaluation: tasting, comparing, verifying history and quality. Sustainability is not only ecological, but also social: supporting small producers means ensuring that artisanal work continues to be valued and that passion is not lost. Quality, then, is not just a taste value, but a complete philosophy that involves the whole process.
After years in investment banking in Milan, you decided to radically change your path. How did you experience this transition, professionally and personally?
Working for so many years in investment banking in Milan trains you to manage rigidly structured processes, to work under pressure, and to make quick decisions based on numbers and very precise strategies. Moving to an entrepreneurial environment was a positive shock: it’s no longer just about immediate results, but about building something from nothing, step by step. The biggest difference? The environment: before everything was standardized, while now every day brings different challenges, from managing the ten-person team to the warehouse to taking care of every single detail of our projects. It is a radical change not only in work life, but also in lifestyle: more flexibility, more creativity, and the ability to put my personal vision at the center of everything. Nothing has been easy, but every result is incredibly rewarding.
What does it mean to you to put yourself out there as an entrepreneur?
Putting yourself out there means accepting the risk of failure, learning every day, and pushing your limits. For an entrepreneur, it also means demonstrating competence, having vision, and leading a project with courage. I learned that entrepreneurship is not just managing numbers or marketing, but building relationships, listening to stories, making ethical and responsible decisions. Every day is a challenge: finding new producers, maintaining high standards, communicating the value of products to an international audience. But every success, no matter how small, repays the effort and confirms that the path chosen makes sense. I strongly believe that courage and curiosity are two essential ingredients for those who want to do business. Italy is full of talents and extraordinary stories, but often these realities remain hidden. My job is to discover them, enhance them and make them known in the United States. It is a mission that combines passion, expertise and a deep respect for the people who work there.
Your work also addresses corporate gifting. How do you bring creativity into corporate settings?
Being able to combine craftsmanship, attention to detail, and customization with complex corporate needs has been a great satisfaction, because it means that my project is understood. Often brands rely on suppliers who offer standardized, industrial products, while we offer more curated experiences that tell personalized stories and values. During corporate events or in gifting campaigns, we can create bespoke solutions, keeping the focus on aesthetics and quality craftsmanship, without losing sight of the operational and logistical needs of more structured settings. Seeing the reaction of customers when they open our gift boxes is a huge satisfaction: we bring excitement and creativity even in traditionally more rigid environments.
What message do you want to convey through Tasty Ribbon and what are the future challenges?
I want each gift box to tell a true, modern Italy, made up of people, territories and traditions. That those who receive a package can feel the care, passion and authenticity behind each product. For me, enhancing Italian craftsmanship also means building a conscious community. Every choice, every product, every package is designed to create a complete experience: taste, discover, respect. We currently market only in the United States. Future challenges for Tasty Ribbon are mainly about balanced growth: on the one hand, we want to expand our reach, collaborating with more brands and expanding our portfolio of corporate clients; on the other hand, we need to continue to maintain the quality craftsmanship and attention to detail that sets us apart. Another important challenge is to integrate new technologies and efficient logistics without losing the personal touch that makes our gift boxes unique. Finally, we want to continue to innovate, finding creative ways to surprise customers and differentiate ourselves in an increasingly competitive market.
The article Tasty Ribbon reinvents made-in-Italy food in experiences comes from TheNewyorker.
