Born and raised in Salerno, a stone’s throw from the Amalfi coast in southwestern Italy, Serena discovered her passion for food when she was very young. Growing up in a family with a vegetarian and a meat eater, she soon learned the basics of the Mediterranean diet that she fostered through extensive traveling and experimenting in her mother and grandmother’s kitchen. Serena’s upbringing was that of a Renaissance woman she studied Ballet and Piano, while getting straight As in Ancient Literature, Philosophy, Latin and Greek. Even though her father wanted her to become a doctor to follow the family tradition, Serena soon decided she would be an attorney: she attended prestigious “Federico II” University School of Law (Naples, Italy) and graduated summa cum laude with a JD in Italian Law in 2001. Recruited by a top ten US-based international law firm with offices in Rome, Italy, Serena started her career as a junior associate in the Corporate Group, gaining broad exposure to the US financial services industry.

In 2010, Serena was recruited among the 12 finalists on the highest rated show on the Food Network: the Next Food Network Star, Season 6. Serena, the only finalist from Italy to date, was one of the most popular finalists on the show.

She was often praised for the creative approach to traditional Italian Food and the unbeatable work ethic, along with the teamwork and leadership skills.

For more information about Serena, visit her website serenapalumbo.com!

medEATerraneo is a new series created to showcase Serena's love and knowledge of the food of the Mediterranean.  Keep watching for more webisodes....

Webisode 1 - Grapefruit/Ginger Pork Tenderloin