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Caterina DeFalco preparing and enjoying food in her kitchen

Ciao! I'm Caterina

I love hearing people’s stories — where they’re from, what led them to do what they do, what they love. It's fascinating because life takes us on unexpected paths. We'll get to know each other over time, but here's a bit of my story.

Growing up with an Italian father who loved to cook, I enjoyed delicious homemade meals every day. Then life changes occurred, and I went through periods of food insecurity and years when fast food and junk food dominated my diet.

In my early twenties, I was sad and overweight. I knew something had to change. I wanted to enjoy food that made me feel good and return to a healthy weight — but I didn't know where to begin.

I hadn't learned to cook yet, and recipes confused me. I must have missed the memo: "Read the whole recipe before you start." Who knew a whole chicken takes a day (or more) to thaw? I regretted all the times I'd shrugged off my dad's offers to teach me — and now he wasn't around to ask. I was on my own, figuring it out.

I was making a real effort to cook and eat well, but the true inspiration and knowledge came when a long-held dream to move to France finally came true in 1989.

The Turning Point

It was during my first meal in Paris, in a cozy bistro by the Seine, that my life changed forever. I remember it as if it were yesterday: a cream sauce with morels, dark chocolate ganache, and the aroma of Calvados. 

The flavors were intoxicating. But even more remarkable was what happened at the table. After four courses — including an apéritif, dessert, and digestif — I didn't feel full or regretful. Just bliss. The people I shared it with, whom I had just met that day, now felt like old friends.

That evening sparked something in me. I didn't just want the food — I wanted the feeling. The connection. I wanted to eat well and be well — every day. And I wondered how the French eat so much bread, cheese, and dessert — and still stay healthy and in shape. I wanted more of that too.

Over the past 35 years, my fascination with food and how we eat has only grown. I realized that how we eat affects every aspect of our lives: health, happiness, and relationships. The eating habits I formed in France were life-changing.

The shift in what and how I ate melted away 20 pounds — accidentally. More important, I gained energy, balance, and joy. Decades later, the weight has never returned — even with cheese, butter, and chocolate routinely on the table.
Caterina and her family at the dinner table outside in the garden

Good Health, Happiness, and a Legacy of Connection

The lifestyle I discovered taught my kids (even the picky ones) to eat well, gave our family rituals of connection during chaotic times, helped me unwind from stress, and brought me daily joy — even on the hardest days.

I've kept this routine through every season — while single and cooking for one, as a working mom raising three wildly different eaters, and through life's ups and downs — and I want to share it with you. All you need is a few routines and a few minutes. Nothing complicated.

By trade, I'm a financial planner. For over three decades, I've helped people build wealth and secure their futures. But true wealth and legacy are rooted in health, happiness, and human connection. And it all begins at the Table.

Welcome to The Table

You'll find recipes and dinner ideas here — and we need that inspiration. But more important, we need support for how to eat well in real life. How to find time to cook. (Hint: you don’t need as much time as you might think!) How to create meals that everyone will enjoy. How to slow down enough to enjoy it.

That's why I'm here, and I'm glad you are too.

Pull up a chair. Have a seat

There's magic waiting for us at the Table.

Success Stories

  • A Real Game Changer

    "We have made a lot of progress over here under your care. We are now all eating from the same “pot” which I was surprised how much my kids loved. They were so excited when I put the food in the middle of the table. They asked for it the next day, Can we do that special fancy dinner thing where we have a feast? It really is such a better ritual—passing the food around and all sharing from the same platter, a real game changer."

    —Maggie C.

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  • My Family is Closer Than Ever

    “Your suggestions are so priceless! Thank you for such valuable content. My family is closer than ever, thanks to you!”

    —Crystal H.

  • BRAVO! I'm in!

    “[Caterina is], in 5 steps, hitting all the major points of what works in generational connection across all cultures. Families don’t just happen, they are grown and this is the sweet and lasting way to do that. Bravo and I’m IN!”

    —Gina B.

  • A Real Game Changer

    "We have made a lot of progress over here under your care. We are now all eating from the same “pot” which I was surprised how much my kids loved. They were so excited when I put the food in the middle of the table. They asked for it the next day, Can we do that special fancy dinner thing where we have a feast? It really is such a better ritual—passing the food around and all sharing from the same platter, a real game changer."

    —Maggie C.

  • Accidental Weight Loss!

    “I don't know if I told you, but I accidentally lost about 8 lbs after cutting out most semi-processed foods!"

    —Melissa C.

Return to the Table & Caterina De Falco
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