Opened in 2022, Roots was founded by Rosval—one of modern Italian cuisine’s most celebrated talents and the chef behind Michelin-starred Al Gatto Verde—alongside the social entrepreneur Caroline Caporossi, through their organization the Association for the Integration of Women. The fixed menu consists of appetizers, a main meat or fish dish, and dessert, and it costs 38 Euros. “We want as many people to come in here as possible, to support the cause and share the message,” says Rosval.
The idea for Roots was first sparked when a Nigerian refugee approached Caporossi because she couldn’t find a job in Modena after searching for three years. Caporossi spoke to her close friend Rosval, who used her connections in the food world to help. “That’s when we realized that we could combine our powers and create a program to help women find jobs in the restaurant industry,” says Rosval. Soon, the city council supported the initiative and helped raise the necessary money to open Roots. “Modena helped us build it. It’s a small, traditional town, but also very open-minded.”
Photo: Jessica and Bernd Jungbauer
Photo: Jessica and Bernd Jungbauer
Aketzalli Bobadilla Canseco was one of the first women to graduate from the training program, and has since been promoted to team leader. Originally from Mexico, she worked as a biological engineer before coming to Italy; after moving, she struggled to find a job. “Roots changed my life,” she says. “When I arrived in Italy and started looking for a job, the opportunities for immigrants, but also women, were really small…” Having spent her early months in Italy feeling alone—having lost her close family, language, and culture—at Roots, Bobadilla Canseco finally felt seen and part of a community. “We are like a big family here,” she adds.
