Caryn Antonini with her two sons, Cristiano Robertson and Nicholas Robertson, and her mother, Penny Antonini, at their property in Palm Beach
In her own words, Caryn Antonini pulls back the curtains on her family life between New England and Palm Beach.
A daughter of internationally minded parents who both traveled extensively for their careers, Caryn Antonini grew up with a distinct appreciation for culture, languages and food. Traveling between family homes in New England and Palm Beach, she seeks to instill that same inspiration in her two boys (12-year-old Cristiano Robertson and 10-year-old Nicholas Robertson), as well as inspire others through her entrepreneurial pursuits.
Antonini and her sons at the pool.
Antonini’s sons playing croquet
After launching several companies, Antonini recently debuted a podcast called The Cultivated by Caryn Show (available on Apple, Spotify and iHeart), which explores cultural and culinary experiences around the world and spotlights people whose passions have inspired new enterprises. We caught up with her to find out more about her podcast, upbringing and also to peek inside Palm Beach’s beloved oceanfront abode affectionately known to locals as the Ham & Cheese House.
Tell me a little about your family history and how your parents inspired you. Both my parents traveled for their careers and really cultivated a sense of curiosity and cultural awareness in our household from the time my brother and I were very young. My father ran the international side of a company and my parents frequently entertained Clockwise from right: Antonini’s sons playing croquet; yard games on the lawn; Antonini in the library; Antonini and her sons at the pool. friends and colleagues from overseas. I was fascinated by our guests— from the languages they spoke to the stories about the countries where they lived and their different customs. They would teach me words and phrases in their language that I absorbed and would repeat back to them whenever they visited.
That must have had quite the impression on you because don’t you now speak multiple languages? Yes, I noticed how our international guests’ faces would light up at the sound of their own languages, which even at a very young age I realized was important. This was undoubtedly a huge factor in my passion for language learning. I was eager to learn more and to visit their countries. We were fortunate to be able to travel, where I was intrigued by other cultures—how they lived, what they ate and how they interacted with each other. Food seemed like the easiest way to dive into foreign culture as it’s so reflective of the environment, the geography, history and traditions. My language studies began at home, throughout my childhood and became my majors at Georgetown University, where I studied in the School of Languages and Linguistics.
yard games on the lawn
What family values did your parents instill in you that you now incorporate with your boys? Family has always been paramount. And that means spending quality time together, traveling and being together for holidays. Raising globally minded children was definitely one of those values with which I was raised and now impart to my own children through language, culture, travel and cuisine.
Let’s talk about your family’s beautiful Palm Beach home, known as the Ham & Cheese House because of its distinct outdoor colors and brickwork. What’s your favorite thing about the property? Well, I for one absolutely love the kitchen! It’s so functional and bright and inspiring. As much as I love going out to one of the many amazing restaurants on the island, I am just as happy to cook for family and friends at home. I believe creating and sharing food is one of the best gifts, and it certainly reflects my Italian heritage. The ocean is also an inspiration. As my mother says, ‘Every day is different in Florida,’ and I believe there is so much truth in that. It’s a reminder to seize the day, live in the moment and embrace this gorgeous setting.
Antonini in the library
Caryn Antonini and her mom Penny Antonini in the kitchen
the family cooks together
Do you have a favorite recipe you like to whip up for guests? One of my favorite recipes is an Italian cake that I’ve affectionately dubbed torta di Asiago. My father’s family in Asiago, Italy, owns a beautiful pasticceria where they make this cake, and it has always been a favorite not only of my family but of friends as well. It’s easy to make and the flavor is exceptional. Food, travel and culture seem to be the recurring theme. Tell me a little bit about the brands you’ve launched and what you’re working on. I am an entrepreneur at heart and have always loved the challenge of starting a new company. From my first company, Present Perfect (a customized high-end gift business) to Early Lingo (a children’s foreign language learning system) to my latest brand, over the years my passion for language, culture, travel and food has grown. And in 2020, for various reasons, it was time for a different chapter in my life. Ironically, the pandemic was the naissance of my new brand, Cultivated By Caryn (cultivatedbycaryn.com). Culture, cuisine and comfort encapsulates my new brand, which is essentially a global lifestyle brand yet offers a much deeper dive. This is very much reflected in my new podcast, The Cultivated by Caryn Show.
Antonini whipping up cocktails.
The family playing games
Sounds like a great new brand and challenge. How has the process of creating the new podcast gone for you? It’s been an amazing adventure so far with so many talented and engaging guests. Sometimes we’re discovering indigenous cuisine within our own country, and other times we’re learning how history has impacted food cultures overseas. I am so grateful to be working with my talented and dedicated producer, John Iannuzzi, who has helped the early success of the show, which I’m proud to say has a sizeable domestic and international audience.
the boys enjoying their time in Palm Beach
And with all of this travel back and forth between New England and South Florida, you must love the variety. Yes, and they are completely different worlds. While I love the four seasons in New England, I am always drawn to the slightly more relaxed feel of the blended southern U.S. and Hispanic cultures that permeate South Florida—from cuisine to the arts to recreational activities.
one of Antonini’s signature dishes
Antonini in the kitchen.
What do you love about Palm Beach in particular? I love its rich history and how much of that is reflected around the island in its architecture, institutions and traditions. I believe what sets the island apart and makes it so special is the abundance of cultural opportunities, such as the offerings at The Society of the Four Arts, the various galleries in town, special events during the calendar year and the variety of fine restaurants, which in turn attracts a more international and interesting (and inspiring) crowd.
Photography by: PHOTOGRAPHED BY EVE GREENDALE
