Jessica De Marco didn’t anticipate sparking a culinary revolution when she first arrived in Clevedon. Her motivation was to find community, balance, and a place to raise her daughter. However, just two years after launching Pasta Presto, Jessica’s name has become synonymous with authentic Italian cooking that’s as nourishing as it is nostalgic. Her journey, however, wasn’t always so linear.
Born on the island of Capri in southern Italy, Jessica’s childhood was immersed in the flavors of southern Italian cuisine, thanks to her grandmother Rosa’s cooking and her grandfather’s Italian cheese business. After earning a culinary arts diploma and studying Food Science and Nutrition in the UK, becoming a mother prompted a career shift. “I wanted to do something that combined my love for food and all my knowledge, while being able to provide a healthier alternative for families,” she explains.
The idea for Pasta Presto arose from a need for healthier alternatives to greasy takeaways and a yearning for the comforting Southern Italian dishes. “I missed the comforting Southern Italian dishes, so I thought, ‘Why not bring a taste of Italy to Clevedon?’”
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Pasta Presto’s Ragu—a Napoletan recipe passed down from Jessica’s grandmother—exemplifies the spirit of the restaurant. “It’s rich, fragrant, and slow-cooked to perfection,” she says, blending high-quality ingredients, healthier preparation, and nostalgia to create a homely feel.
With a strong foundation in food science and nutrition, Jessica ensures that every dish on the menu is balanced and offers options for varied dietary needs without compromising on flavor, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes.
Running a food business as a single parent presented its challenges, but after restructuring operations, improving communication, and hiring the right people, the tide turned. Pasta Presto’s success is attributed to consistency, hard work, and a focus on quality, which led to the expansion of the menu and catering services.
Looking ahead, Jessica aims for sustainable growth, potentially including the opening of a bricks-and-mortar space. Her focus remains on preserving the unique qualities that set Pasta Presto apart.
Jessica’s typical day involves a mix of parenting and managing the restaurant, guided by her ethos of creating a supportive and flexible work environment. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of home cooking, conveying that with dedication, even the humblest idea can turn into something truly nourishing—for both body and soul.