I still remember the pizza. One whole fungi pizza, hot and bubbling, placed in the center of our small table at Fire and Ice in Calcutta. My parents, my brother, and I — we would slice it carefully, each of us relishing every bite like it was treasure. That pizza wasnt just a dish; it was an experience. It meant togetherness, celebration, and joy. We couldnt afford to order anything else, but we didnt need to. That one pizza — simple, authentic, made with love — was enough. And now, years later, to have had the privilege of sitting across from the woman who made that memory possible — Annamaria Forgione, the founder of Fire and Ice — felt surreal. I wasnt just meeting a restaurateur. I was meeting a woman who proved that anything is possible, and that sometimes, lifes detours are blessings in disguise. Annamarias story reads like fiction — the kind you want to believe in because it restores your faith in courage, love, and divine grace. Born to immigrant parents in Italy, raised by her stern but nurturing Aunt Laura in Milan, Annamaria grew up amidst challenges. Her mother suffered from severe depression and underwent harsh treatments like electric shock therapy. Yet, in Aunt Lauras kitchen, Annamaria found refuge. She learned to cook, to host, to pour love into food — skills that would one day bring light to thousands of lives. She worked at Citibank, married young, and had a successful corporate life. But then everything fell apart. Her first marriage ended, and her health deteriorated so badly that she couldnt even perform daily tasks — she couldnt walk, eat, or go to the toilet on her own. I was completely dependent, she said, her voice calm but full of memory. Then came her second husband — kind, gentle, and deeply supportive. Together, still healing, they decided to apply for volunteer work abroad — as teachers and directors — in hopes of restoring not just their lives, but their spirits. Of all the countries they applied to, it was Nepal that responded first — a country Annamaria hadnt even heard of. She didnt know where it was on the map, didnt speak the language, didnt know the people — but something in her said yes. What started as a journey to teach became something else entirely. Annamaria soon realized that Nepal lacked authentic Italian food. And from that realization bloomed a quiet but fierce determination. She applied for a restaurant tender, won it in June 1994, and began building from scratch — training her staff not just in recipes, but in basic hygiene, cleanliness, and love. She taught them about water safety, brought in a microscope to show the microbes in water, and emphasized dignity and respect in the kitchen. The restaurant, Fire and Ice Kathmandu, opened with just two tables. But her legendary tomato sauce, rich and slow-cooked with herbs, became a sensation. Her space wasnt glamorous or flowery — it was real. Black-and-white posters of old Hollywood icons and Indian film legends adorned the walls. The pizzas were kneaded and baked right in front of you. Olive oil was poured generously. Hygiene was impeccable. Then one day, the Italian ambassador from Delhi visited and encouraged her to bring Fire and Ice to India. And once again, she said yes. She moved to Calcutta, lived here for two years, and in 2005, Fire and Ice Calcutta opened its doors. Calcutta was no easy market — its food culture was strong, its people deeply rooted in tradition. But Annamarias authenticity, her warmth, and her food slowly won hearts. When the pandemic hit, she was tested again. Rent soared. It became nearly impossible to retain staff and pay salaries. But Annamaria never gave up. My faith got me through, she said. A devout Christian, she truly believes that every chapter of her life — even the painful ones — was part of a divine plan. And thats what her story teaches us: If the bad hadnt happened, the good wouldnt have followed. If her health hadnt failed, she would have never come to Nepal. If her life hadnt paused, she wouldnt have found her true calling. Sometimes, the darkness is just a tunnel to the light. We just have to keep walking. And today, as Fire and Ice Calcutta turns 20, Annamaria Forgione looks back with nothing but gratitude. If I could live this life again, I would live it exactly the same way, she says with a smile that holds a thousand stories. This is the story of a woman who couldnt walk — and went on to build a legacy across continents. A woman who didnt speak the language — and became beloved by two nations. A woman who believed in a whisper from above — and turned it into a symphony of dreams come true. Her journey tells us that miracles dont always come with flashing lights. Sometimes, they come in the form of one tomato, one idea, one small act of courage. So, if youre ever sitting at Fire and Ice — in Kathmandu or Calcutta — and the aroma of that sauce wraps around your soul… remember this: if she could do it, so can you. Anything is possible. And sometimes, all it takes… is one slice of belief.

Stay updated with all the Latest Ranchi headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.