llda De Carli’s house, where she prepares her own takes on local dishes such as her lake trout recipe, is nestled into the hills of Lazise, a town perched about 30 minutes northwest of Verona in the Veneto, overlooking Lake Garda. It’s not easy to find, but we immediately feel at home when we finally do. 

A well-kept garden surrounds the cottage which is skirted with a portico that provides a view of the lake turning pink during sunset. De Carli has lived here for almost 40 years with her husband Luigi and daughter Lucia. She takes our hands and leads us into her kitchen as though we’re lifelong friends.