20 Amici – 40 Ricette (20 Friends - 40 Recipes) by John Bersani is so much more than a cook book; it’s a love letter to friendship, tradition, and the heart of Chianti, Italy.

Bersani has written a fantastic, mouthwatering culinary journey through Tuscany, sharing 40 authentic, heartwarming recipes inspired by 20 incredible friends. Each dish has a story, bringing to life the passion and hospitality that makes Italian food so special.

What makes this cookbook a must-have?

1️⃣ Authentic Tuscan Recipes - From rich wild boar ragu to the perfect handmade pici pasta, these dishes bring Italy straight to your kitchen.
2️⃣ The Magic of Food & Friendship —Every recipe comes with a story, celebrating how food connects us and creates lasting memories.
3️⃣ A Feast for the Senses —With stunning photos and heartwarming narratives, you’ll feel like you’re dining under the Tuscan sun with good friends and great wine.

If you love Italian food, storytelling, and cooking with heart, this book will transport you straight to Chianti.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me the ARC.

This is the first cookbook that I smiled for the entire duration of reading. As strange as that may sound, I was delighted by the author’s voice and thoughtful creation of this book — pieced together with tapestries from stories, photographs, recipes, and lived experiences that were so warm and personable. I immediately thought of at least two friends I would love to gift this book to, it touched me so deeply and quickly. I’ve only been to Italy twice — and I know how seriously food + food waste is taken — I could smell the bowls of pasta in Bologna that I enjoyed while reading this. Also, this was the first time I ever felt gently encouraged while trying to make fresh Italian food. What a wonderful book!

20 Amici – 40 Ricette (20 Friends ― 40 Recipes): Friends and Food from the Heart of Chianti is a beautiful cookbook with lots of heart and beautiful photos that make you feel like you're on tour of the region!

There are lots of wonderful recipes, some more involved than others, so most home chefs will be able to find something they can try at home within their skill level. The only thing that wasn't my favourite was how the recipes were divided by contributor, or "amici", instead of the traditional appetizer, main, dessert etc. Although I completely understand why it was done! It makes it more of a travel book than a regular cookbook, which could be a plus or minus, depending on the reader!

But really, this is a lovely book with great recipes.

I received this ebook for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

20 Amici -- 40 Ricette focuses on Tuscan stories and recipes from local friends. The cookbook is absolutely beautiful. The recipes range in difficulty and have a personal feel to them. I wish the recipes were categorized by dish so it is easier to navigate the cookbook.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love Italian food, so it was a no-brainer for me to pick up this book—and I’m so glad I did! If you're a fan of classic Italian dishes like osso buco and risotto, but you’re also curious about some lesser-known regional recipes from Tuscany, this book is a must-have. It’s like getting a VIP pass into the kitchens of Tuscany, with personal stories and recipes passed down through generations.

The book’s photography is stunning—it captures the essence of homey, rustic Italian cooking so well. Every photo feels like a little glimpse into real Italian life, making you feel like you’re sitting at a Tuscan table with friends and family. And the pictures aren't just pretty to look at—they also show exactly what each dish should look like when it’s done, which makes it easier to recreate those beautiful meals yourself.

What’s even better is that this book isn't just a collection of recipes; it's a journey. The author, Bersani, takes you through the village of Gaiole in Chianti, introducing you to 20 local friends who share their favorite dishes. This mix of recipes and personal anecdotes really gives the book a homey vibe. You feel like you’re not just learning to cook; you're getting a taste of the region’s food culture and community spirit. It’s like being invited into their kitchens and hearing their stories—so cozy and inviting!

The recipes themselves are mostly straightforward and easy to follow, with varying levels of difficulty. Some are super simple, like Antipasto Misto (basically assembling a plate of prosciutto and cheese, but oh-so-delicious), while others, like Pasta al Forno Della Marcella, require a bit more effort. But no matter your skill level, there’s something here for you. Plus, many of the dishes follow the Italian "slow food" philosophy, focusing on fresh, quality ingredients. You’ll even find a recipe for homemade bread, which is perfect for anyone who loves making everything from scratch.

For those living outside of Italy, don’t worry—most of the ingredients are easy to find, especially if you live in a bigger city. And if something’s a bit harder to track down, there are substitutions listed. So no excuses!

All in all, this is a gorgeous cookbook that would make a fantastic gift for any food lover, and it’s the perfect way to bring a taste of Tuscany into your home. The combination of delicious recipes, stunning photos, and personal stories is what really makes this book stand out. It’s a celebration of food, family, and the Italian way of life—what’s not to love?

This is a really neat and unique book. It isn't like your traditional cookbook in the sense that it introduces us to a group of friends. For each friend we learn abut them, get a peak into who they are, their culture and stories along the way. I loved this aspect of the book. As for the actual recipes in the book, there is a huge range from more simple dishes to more complex dishes which is great. The recipe title is given in Italian and in English which is nice. Easy for me to scan the English name to have an idea what it is but I love also learning the Italian name. The recipes all look amazing and I can't wait to try more of them in my kitchen! This is truly a great book for anyone who loves Italian food, cooking and wants more than just recipes! The pictures in the book are really nice as well.

I really enjoyed this cookbook. The recipes looked really good and it was nice seeing pictures of Italy and the different types of recipes that the author shared.

Thank you to Netgalley and John Bersani for giving me a digital copy to review.

Blending recipes with personal anecdotes, Bersani takes readers on a journey through the village of Gaiole in Chianti, introducing us to 20 local friends who generously share their favorite dishes. The book’s beautiful photography captures the essence of Tuscan life and the simple, yet deeply satisfying, cuisine of the region. For anyone longing to connect with the heart of Chianti or dreaming of a trip to Tuscany, this book offers an enchanting glimpse into the region's food, wine, and community spirit.

The recipes themselves are straightforward and approachable, reflecting the unfussy, flavor-forward style of Tuscan cooking. From hearty soups and fresh pastas to classic charcuterie plates, the dishes emphasize quality ingredients and simplicity, making them accessible to home cooks of all levels. Bersani’s engaging storytelling brings each contributor to life, weaving a narrative of friendship and food that feels intimate and inviting. The inclusion of wine pairings adds a thoughtful touch, grounding the recipes in the context of the Chianti wine region. However, while the recipes are easy to follow and often accompanied by appealing photographs of the finished dishes, some feel almost too simple (e.g., assembling a plate of prosciutto and cheese). This makes the book feel less like a comprehensive cooking resource and more like a leisurely stroll through Tuscan kitchens.

The biggest drawback, and the reason for the deducted star, is the book's organization. Grouping recipes by contributor rather than by type of dish makes it cumbersome to navigate for meal planning or quick reference. While this format enhances the narrative flow and emphasizes the personal connections, it limits the cookbook’s practicality in the kitchen. That said, the seasonal menus included at the end do help balance this somewhat. Overall, 20 Amici – 40 Ricette is more of a travelogue-meets-cookbook. It’s an enjoyable read for lovers of Italian culture and food, but perhaps not the go-to resource for day-to-day culinary inspiration.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 08 April 2025
#20Amici40Ricette20Friends40Recipes #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley and The Collective Book Studio. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The photography in this book is stunningly beautiful. It makes me want to go visit Italy, and find all these gorgeous places. I also loved learning about the different people we encounter in the photos along the way.

I liked the detailed explanations of why certain ingredients are better quality than others, and why. The recipes are authentic, and look delicious.

Most of the ingredients are fairly easy to find here in the US, especially if you live in a larger city. There are some substitutions listed for harder to find items as well. I like that most of the recipes only take very basic ingredients to make.

The instructions are very detailed and easy to understand. There are photos of each dish, so you can see what it should look like when it's finished. I deeply appreciate that there are photos showing the steps of some of the recipes as well.

I love this idea, and there are some beautiful recipes here that I can't wait to cook for my friends!

This is definitely much more than just a cookbook. It’s packed with so much information, yet presented in such an easy-to-digest way that you’ll learn a lot simply by flipping through the pages. And can I just say, the photos are absolutely stunning? It’s the kind of book that looks like it belongs on your kitchen counter or coffee table.

Inside, you’ll find 40 traditional Tuscan recipes, heartwarming stories, insider tips from local chefs and family cooks, and authentic photography. I also appreciated how the book highlights the importance of selecting quality ingredients and explains why they matter. It feels like you’re getting insider knowledge, as though you’re being taught these recipes in Italy itself.

This cookbook is a compilation of 40 recipes from the Chianti region, provided by 20 friends (hence the title).
What I like:
- The range of difficulty levels from incredibly easy (Antipasto Misto) to the more complex (Pasta Al Forno Della Marcella), so home cooks of all levels will like it.
- The profiles on the friends, that give you glimpses into their lives.
- Both the Italian names for the dishes & the English translations. The titles also tend to be very literal, basically listing the primary elements.
- That all of the recipes follow the Italian concept of “slow food.” They are all from scratch with clean ingredients. There is even a bread recipe, so the recipes with bread can be made entirely from scratch.
What I don’t like:
- The format of the recipes being categorized by contributor, rather than by type of dish. This makes it difficult to navigate.

John Bersani takes readers on a culinary tour of the Chianti region by introducing them to the eponymous twenty friends and twenty recipes. For the most part, the recipes are refreshingly approachable with ingredients available in the US. And the techniques might be possible for the average cook. But the anecdotes he tells about the friends who provided the recipes is what really elevates this book beyond ordinary cookbook. Bersani even includes the Italian-American dishes that many people associate with Italian cuisine (but that are not actually available in Italy). I'm obsessed with all things Italian and can't wait to try some of these recipes. #20Amici40Ricette20Friends40Recipes #NetGalley

As a good cookbook aficionado, I was curious about the idea behind "20 Amici - 30 Ricette". This is such an interesting concept to have a group of people from one particular region (here - Tuscany) sharing their favourite recipes.

What I liked:
+ overall concept - people talking about their favourite dishes and sharing recipes
+ aesthetics - this book is without a doubt beautifully designed
+ focus on one particular region that allows a deeper exploration

What I didn't like:
- US-centrism - it's quite obvious that the author focuses on American readers, comparing things to how they're done in the US
- randomness of recipes - as they're oriented around a person, it's quite challenging to browse between starters, sides, breakfast dishes or main courses
- too much focus on meat - not enough balance of not only different protein options but also very few vegetarian dishes in the collection

A great cookbook that had everything you would want from an Italian cookbook. This isn't just a cookbook but a book of people, food, recipes, sharing. I love that in the beginning they talk about cookbooks being a place to communicate your stories, the food you make and know and that the next person should use it to develop their way of cooking. You don't have to follow all recipes word for word, you can create your own along the way.

A great book to read, to use, to share.

Thank you NetGalley and The Collective Book Studio for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Oh, how nice it was to imagine myself back in Tuscany while the weather has been so horrible here. This is such an immersive book it was almost like a wonderful trip, a travelogue, and good too. What's not to like. Loved it, it brightened up a nasty cold weekend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Like Bersani says, this is a book about cooking and people not just cooking and it’s a different view to cookbooks than I have previously looked at with sectioning chapters by person/friend instead of dish or ingredient is unique. I like the person's little story at the beginning of their chapter. The scenery photos were stunning and the food ones were appetising. Overall I found the recipes easy to follow with some great recipes included and the make it a meal and wine pairing being included with dishes was helpful.

An amicable concept. Talking about food with friends, then sharing these amicis recipes, alongside lovely images of a warm environment, wine recommendations and some tips.
Not your usual recipe or cookbook, and not your usual dinner party guide either.
The non-fiction, guide, cookbooks side was 3 stars for me.
Thanks to the interesting concept, that creates a narrative with the friends stories, 4 stars.

A mix between a recipe book and an account of the author's life in France and the friends made along the way. Some lovely colour photos, some of the recipes and others of the area that John now lives in. As I reviewed this on my kindle in was a little jumbled with titles, photos and recipes but I am sure in book form it would be a good reference and more along the lines of the John Burton Race book of his time in France. I love cookery books with background and extra detail and often sit of an evening going through not just to find a recipe to be inspired by but the background behind it. so this book fits the bill. Being the European side of the Atlantic the US sources are irrelevant as supplies are readily available.

This is not exactly the kind of cookbook that I would keep as a reference or resource that I go to frequently for ideas and techniques, but this is a beautifully illustrated, actually, photo-filled, book that shows Tuscany and some of the simple, straight-forward foods of the region. I get the impression that the author is not a chef perse, or even a native of Italy but an American expat who relocated to Chianti and runs a business providing food and wine tours of the region. The book reads a bit like such a tour. He introduces each friend and tells some entertaining anecdote about them and shares one, or a few of their recipes. Most of the recipes are accompanied by a nice image of the finished product and are easy to follow (some overwhelmingly so...do I really need a recipe to put imported prosciutto, soppressata, salame, and cheese on a plate?). Some of the recipes come with a wine recommendation, from the Chianti region, of course. Then he moves on to the next friend. The book is not organized for meal planning, but at the end the author supplements his friends' recipes with some of his own to add balance and adds a few seasonal menus as suggestion. The photos are a pleasure to look at and made me long for a trip. Overall, this was a fair cookbook but a very nice travel-picture book that would spend more time on my coffee table than kitchen counter.
I received advanced access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, The Collective Book Studio) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.