Roy Mansell (Cape Town, South Africa)

I met Fabio and Giovanna over 10 years ago when they moved from Italy to South Africa. Since then I have travelled with them both locally and in Italy and attended many lunches and dinners hosted by them in their home and other venues. Giovanna and I are also members of the Chaine des Rotisseurs and have attended many of their functions over the years. While serving on Chaine du Cap committee we also contributed to the successful organisation of many of these events.

During the past 10 years I have experienced on numerous occasions Fabio and Giovanna's passion for food and wine and their ability to create a relaxed and welcoming environment for their numerous local and international guests. Their knowledge of the culture, food and wine of all the regions of Italy brings together the opportunity for their friends and guests to experience the best of Italy in an informative, relaxed and fun way.

Suzette Raymond (London, United Kingdom)

I have known both Fabio and Giovanna for over 11 years. Their entertaining is legendary. 

Their choice of dishes and food and drinks is always exciting and different. Everyone looks forward to being invited to their place because of the fabulous display of tasty food. The ingredients are always fresh and delicious and they simply have that wonderful flair.

I have visited their restaurant here in Cape Town and am thrilled they will be opening up their own new business at their property in Italy. There could be no better people to run a cookery school. I can’t wait to go myself and will be sending all my friends from all over the world as I know they will all be in for a treat.

John Ambler (Béziers, France)

Giovanna and Fabio are wonderful, entertaining hosts with an irresistible passion for good food and company. We have had many memorable meals and occasions together, enjoying some fabulous food and wine.

They’re also great and knowledgeable cooks. This brings to mind a very pleasant summer’s evening in their kitchen in Milan, with Fabio giving me clear, informative instructions on the intricacies of making gnocchi and my novice participation. The gnocchi, which were the best I’d ever tasted, we then enjoyed as part of a delicious, leisurely meal with friends that went on into the early hours on their terrace overlooking the rooftops.

Their new venture sounds very exciting and I look forward to seeing them again at the earliest opportunity.

Peter Flint (Cape Town, South Africa)

Wishing you both all the success you deserve. During your time in Cape Town we have enjoyed your friendship and your amazing hospitality and I am sure your future guests will do the same. Over the years Fabio has been the driving force of our monthly "supper Club" where, under Fabio's guidance and tutoring some of the less accomplished "cooks" (i.e. those who could not boil an egg!) were encouraged and guided by Fabio and those who were a little more familiar with "where to find the kitchen" learnt so much. I cannot think of a better way to share your passion and creativity Fabio and your warm hospitality Giovanna as you launch your "CAscina Canée" venture. Good luck and fond wishes.

Arne Austrheim (Oslo, Norge)

Jeg ble kjent med Giovanna og Fabio i jobbsammenheng for en del år siden. Opp gjennom årene har jeg hatt gleden av å besøke de mange ganger i Italia og de siste årene i Cape Town. De har også besøkt Norge ved flere anledninger.

Å være sammen med Fabio og Giovanna er en stor opplevelse. De to har en genuin interesse for det kulinariske og vet alt som er verd å vite om italiensk mat- og vinkultur. For en nordmann kan det være forvirrende når man skal velge fra en omfattende meny, men når Giovanna og Fabio er med, blir det aldri feil. En vestlending som knapt hadde smakt skalldyr. Det er meg. Jeg måtte helt til Venezia for å få smaken på det. Og det fikk jeg til gagns. Sammen har vi hatt mange kulinariske reiser i Toscana, Piemonte, Liguria, Venezia, Milano for å nevne noen steder. De to går systematisk til verks. Ingenting overlates til tilfeldighetene når en restaurant skal velges. Kvalitet kommer alltid først. En lokal, familiedrevet osteria kan vise seg å være mye mer spennende og gi bedre valuta for pengene enn Michelin-restauranten ved siden av. 

Etter 10 år i Sør-Afrika vender Giovanna og Fabio nå tilbake til Italia for å starte boutique hotel i Angera ved Lago Maggiore.  

Når du sjekker inn på Cascina Canée vil du møte ekte italiensk gjestfrihet og vennlighet. Som gjest vil du oppleve personlig service fra et vertsskap som aldri kompromisser på kvalitet. De har reist mye, sett mye og tar det beste av sine erfaringer med på den videre reisen som er Cascina Canée. Jeg unner alle den fantastiske opplevelsen det er å virkelig kunne nyte italiensk mat og vin i vakre omgivelser. God fornøyelse!

Nadia Lotti (Cape Town, South Africa)

Fabio and Giovanna’s great passion for food, wine and people is an ongoing journey that has taken them to the four corners of the globe. Those of us lucky enough to have met up with them during their wonderful adventures have experienced their unceasing determination to seek out new culinary ideas and draw people from all walks of life to share their enthusiasm. Now this dynamo duo have decided to settle back in Italy and create an environment which will reflect their love of all that is food, wine and hospitality.

Julia Pedro (Lisboa, Portugal)

As melhores experiências de acolhimento e convívio que alguém pode imaginar e desejar com os fabulosos anfitriões Giovanna e Fabio!

Giovanna e Fábio sabem receber como os melhores e partilham generosa e alegremente com os hóspedes maravilhosas histórias, conhecimento e experiências! 

Recomendo vivamente a visita e estadia em Cascina Canee em Angera e que desfrutem da companhia deste casal tão afável e tão conhecedor da melhor hospitalidade e gastronomia local e do mundo.

Nunca mais esquecerei os momentos passados à mesa, na cozinha ou apenas a tomar um ‘vero aperitivo’ com este fantástico casal. A expressão em pessoa do significado de bem receber e de Boa Cama, Boa Mesa. 

Garanto que não se vão arrepender! Estou desejosa por voltar a ser vossa hóspede! Muito obrigada pela excelente hospitalidade.

Maria Grazia Ghiglione (Cape Town, South Africa)

Sarebbe un piacere assoluto passare del tempo in questa bellissima cascina con Fabio e Giovanna. Padroni di casa par excellence. Simpatici e con anni di esperienza nel campo alberghiero e nel mondo di cibo e bevande. Avendo vissuto in Sud Africa, hanno anche un esperienza all’estero che ha aperto tutto un altro modo di cucina e di cucinare che rende più interessante il loro menu e la presentazione dei piatti. Insolito e elegantissimo. La combinazione di due culture completamente diverse ma abbinate in un modo delizioso.

L’accoglienza sara senz’altro gioviale e abbinata con musica che fa gran parte della loro vita. Due persone cordiali e piene di energia e tanta voglia di accontentare.