Bella’s by Joanie Corneil
To celebrate Bella’s 30th birthday in 2016, Joanie Corneil, co-owner of Bella’s Italian Café, published her first cookbook, Bella’s. The 224-page coffee-table–style book shares Corneil’s popular recipes as well as stories from her culinary journey alongside business partner Bill Shumate.
Bella’s features more than 100 classic Italian recipes crafted by Corneil since opening her beloved Tampa restaurant in 1986. Designed for the home cook, the book contains a variety of signature Bella’s dishes such as Formaggio al Forno, Confetti Spaghetti, Butternut Mezzaluna, Nate's Chicken and Raspberry Crème Brûlée.
“Bella is a word I came to love when living in Naples (Italy), so thirty years ago I thought it would make the perfect name for the restaurant and now the book,” said Corneil. “Bella’s not only shares recipes from the restaurant, it pays homage to the countless friends, family, employees, and regulars that have made this dream a reality.”
In addition to the recipes, Corneil chronicles her culinary journey from Oklahoma farm girl, to Italian transplant, to Florida restaurateur over seven chapters, including: Insalate e Zuppe, Antipasti, Paste, Le Salse, Pizze, Secondi, and Dolci.
Bella’s was co-authored by Chris Sherman, a former Tampa Bay Times food critic, current restaurant editor at Florida Trend, and 30-year patron of Bella’s. The book also includes a collection of stunning images shot by award-winning Tampa Bay Times photographer Eve Edelheit.
Bella’s was published by Story Farm, a team of award-winning writers, editors, designers, photographers, branding experts, and marketing professionals who specialize in telling stories of all kinds, ranging from gorgeous, collectible books and engaging videos to audience-building, multi-channel media campaigns.