When Mays and Luciano Di Pietro visited Sicily, they made sure that they would spend their last day indulging in decadent handmade pastries. Upon finding their favorite pastry shop, located in a small winding alley, they finally sat down to enjoy their ‘last’ sip of espresso, traditional Sicilian cookies and cannolis. It suddenly dawned on them that the only way they could relive this experience is by booking their next trip back to the idyllic island. Instead of pining for their holiday, they decided to recreate these memories in their hometown of Kuwait.

Their Journey started three years ago when they booked yet another visit to Sicily, except this time they would be attending artisanal pastry training courses with one of the island’s most renowned chefs. There, they inherited the art of how to prepare these little pastries, and even earned their barista aprons as well as becoming trained in latte art. This happily married couple acknowledges that they’ve spent countless days and nights of dedicated hard work to turn, adapt and create their own signature recipes. As a result, they’ve managed to finally introduce Pasticceria Di Pietro, truly marking this home business as Kuwait’s first Sicilian pastry shop.

Both Mays and Luciano lead creative careers, their passion for baking is unequivocal, and kept growing as they grew their business. While Mays works as an interior designer and Luciano works in digital marketing and social media, they both channeled their artistic talents into the wide range of pastries offered at the Pasticceria. They claim equal merit when it came to developing all of their recipes, and they both put in the time in the kitchen in preparing the sweets. Speaking of the actual sweets, the range of delights offered at the Pasticceria include cakes, cookies, homemade candied orange peel and of course, their very famous cannolis. We absolutely fell in love with the indulgent, chewy almond and pistachio cookies that are made without using any flour, butter or oil.

The cannolis, however, it’s truly unique and distinctive amongst their offerings. For those of you who haven’t encountered this Sicilian delight, it is a golden, crunchy pastry shell that is super light, and then filled with sweet homemade ricotta cream. We wondered why the Di Pietro’s chose the cannoli and other Sicilian pastries as their items of focus, as Italy has many sweet bounties to offer. They passionately explained that most of the pastries that they prepare in Kuwait have a unique story that is deeply rooted in Sicily’s heritage. It is one that is historically multicultural, as the Arabs once occupied the island along with the Greeks and the French, yet these new cultures, at the time, assimilated with Italian traditions as well. In fact, some of these sweets even date back to the 17th and 18th century. These communities played a role in putting together those rich and vibrant flavors that we taste today…those cannolis must have been darn good to survive all these years. Centuries later, Mays and Luciano have added their own spin on their handmade ricotta cream, and they proudly boast of their many flavors. From the iconic and always classic and traditional Cannoli Siciliani flavor, salted caramel, Nutella, peanut butter and much more, this Sicilian favorite is taken to new delicious levels at the Pasticceria Di Pietro. We urged them to let us in on their ‘best’ flavors, and they tempted us by adding that every occasion has its flavor. They most definitely favor the traditional Cannoli Siciliani, as the signature ricotta cream is mixed in with chocolate bits, chopped homemade orange peel and pistachios. The cannoli is then crowned with a strip of candied orange peels from each ends of the delight, along with crunchy pistachio toppings. The end result, a light and airy yet sinuously creamy filled infused with aroma and texture. For those of you craving something on the savory side, may be available upon request.

Since they’ve embarked on selling their goods online and even at several markets and event activities, both Mays and Luciano have received accolades from their customers, and this bazaar team. They are currently focusing on moving their business from the home to a physical pastry shop. Until then, feel free to order their yummy goodies online or via whatsapp!

For more information or to order online, please visit pasticceriadipietro.com, and find them on Instagram @Dipietro_kw. You can also order via Whatsapp: 6511 9921.