There is nothing like an Italian cook. Italian food is one of my favorite kinds, and you can find pizza or pasta on my dinner table at least three times per week. I was recently sent to photograph 91-year-old cook Francesca Taullo at Giancarlo’s restaurant. The place has been in business for 23 years. It’s run by Taullo and her daughter Tina Campieri.

Before I got there, I knew the ladies would want to give me food. When I called Tina to tell her I was coming, she kept asking me “What’s your favorite kind of pasta?” This is a tough part of my job because as a journalist, I don’t take handouts. Why? If someone gives me something for free than my coverage could be compromised. I might feel obligated to present the story in a positive light because of the gift. So I went to the restaurant that day for lunch with a plan. I would eat, pay for my meal and get on with my job, which was to take photographs to tell Taullo’s story.

I sat down and met with Campieri. We chatted. I ordered some pasta and thought, “Wow, this was going to be easier than I thought. No stuffing food down me.” I thought too soon. Food started coming out to my table. First toasted ravioli, then calamari. Two kinds of bread then showed up in addition to a salad. Finally, my pasta arrived. I was already feeling full by this point and wondering, “How in the world am I going to pay for all of this, let alone eat it?” Oh no, suddenly two more plates of pasta and an ENTIRE pizza were sitting on my table. Oh, and don’t forget the cannoli and fried Italian donuts! I finally had to say, “Stop!”

They boxed everything up for me to take home. I took photos after my lunch and interviewed the women. Taullo doesn’t speak English, but that did not keep her from speaking to me in Italian. Sometimes I wondered if she thought I spoke Italian. She would go on and on. Ocasionally, Campieri would translate for me. Luckily, they slipped into their normal routines and quit asking me if I wanted more food. And I found a way to pay for the food. Ah, the joys of being a journalist.

This story will run this week with a video. I’ll post the links as soon as the story is published. Stay tuned.