Welcome to ROOT44 – Where History, Culture, Nature, and Truffles Unite
ROOT44 was founded in 2005 with a mission to bring Canada's top chefs and food enthusiasts the finest root vegetables—truffles—a culinary treasure that owes its existence to a unique symbiotic relationship with the roots of select trees. Truffles thrive beneath the forest floor, feeding off the roots of ancient oaks, ash and hazelnut trees, emerging as one of the most coveted ingredients in the world. The most impressive and abundant truffles, renowned for their exceptional quality, are found in the magical forests along Route 44 in Istria, Croatia. This road winds through a land steeped in Roman, Venetian, Austro-Hungarian, and Italian history, with its rolling hills, medieval towns, and fertile grounds producing not only exquisite truffles but also world-class olive oil and wine.
Inspired by this rich heritage, founder Wanda Srdoc created ROOT44 to celebrate the finest foods and wines from this remarkable region. Her passion for truffles has driven her to share the mysteries and culinary wonders of this prized root vegetable with Canadians. Through ROOT44, she offers the best truffles while hosting truffle-themed events that engage chefs and food lovers alike, fostering a fun and informative atmosphere to celebrate the truffle seasons. Most recently, Wanda has expanded the company’s offerings by creating Authentic Croatian Luxury Culinary Tours, which showcase the region's finest food, wine, and culture. A highlight of these tours is an immersive journey along Route 44, where guests experience the thrill and magic of a private truffle hunt in the same forests that inspired the company's beginnings.
ROOT44 in essence is a Luxury Plant-Based and Sustainable Lifestyle Company for EVERYBODY, providing accessible, innovative, and premium fine foods and curating unforgettable and experiential events and travel that take your love for food to new heights.
Wanda Srdoc
Founder, Truffle Lover, Culinary Expert, Wanderlust and Head Taster
Are you a passionate food enthusiast, always in search of the finest culinary experiences? Look no further!
With deep roots in a family dedicated to the truffle trade and fine foods, I've inherited a lifelong passion for sharing the magic of truffles and creating extraordinary gourmet experiences. Over the past 19 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with top-tier suppliers from Croatia, Italy, and France, bringing only the highest quality truffles to discerning food lovers like you.
Today, I am proud to offer a ONE-STOP Truffle Resource and Shopping site, delivering everything from premium truffle products to exclusive cooking classes, decadent tasting events, and bucket-list-worthy culinary escapes. Speaking of escapes, I invite you to join me on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure through Croatia, where you’ll explore award-winning truffles, world-class wines, olive oils, Michelin-worthy cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes rich with history and culture.
Don't miss out on front-of-the-line invites to our exclusive events and intimate small-group tours—sign up for our newsletter and become part of our truffle-loving community!
Celebrate with us in 2025 -It will be our offical 20th business anniversary -I invite you to join me on an unforgettable VIP adventure exploring the finest that Croatia has to offer from award-winning truffles, wines, olive oils, michelin worthy cuisine, rich historic and cultural landmarks and breathtakenly beautiful landscapes. Please check out our line up of authentic Croatia Luxury Culinary small-group tours - Bucket List Escapes to Croatia
Where do we sit in the Culinary and Truffle World?
At the pinnacle of plant-based luxury! Truffles are one of the finest plant-based ingredients, coveted by the world’s most esteemed kitchens. At ROOT44, we champion the power of plant-based cuisine not just for health but for the planet’s well-being. With years of experience working alongside top chefs and passionate home cooks, we’ve learned that remarkable dishes begin with fresh, natural, and premium ingredients. ROOT44 curates an exclusive selection of the finest plant-based delicacies, starting with our wild truffles sourced directly from the best truffle regions.
We invite food enthusiasts, taste explorers, and culinary innovators to join our vibrant community and embark on an extraordinary gastronomic journey. Elevate your culinary skills, create unforgettable dining experiences, and savor the finest flavors. ROOT44 is your gateway to a sustainable lifestyle that nourishes both body and soul.
FAMILY ROOTS
Our roots trace back to the early 1930s when Wanda's great-grandfather, Pietro Zigante, and his friend Pietro Cerneka set up a humble truffle market stand in Istria, Croatia. Their mission was simple: to bring the finest, freshly discovered truffles to local dignitaries. Over the decades, our family's knowledge and passion for truffles grew, propelling us into the ranks of a respected international business. We honed our skills in training the most intelligent and athletic truffle dogs, sourcing wild truffles from the heart of Croatia, and crafting innovative and award-winning truffle preserves.
Today, the Pietro & Pietro brand and family business thrive under the ownership and operation of Danijela Puh, Wanda's first cousin, and her husband Marko Puh. Their relentless pursuit of quality and innovation has propelled our company to prominence on the world stage.
We proudly offer the Pietro & Pietro barnd and we invite you to experience the culmination of generations of truffle expertise. Explore our extraordinary range of products, meticulously crafted to showcase the incomparable flavors and aromas of wild truffles.
Photo shows President and Founder of Pietro&Pietro, Danijela Puh with expert truffle hunting dogs, Beba and Mojica.
Sustainability and Social Responsibility
At ROOT44, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are redefining the food and travel industries by championing source transparency and product integrity. Every truffle, every experience, is rooted in clean, sustainably sourced ingredients, ensuring top-quality, authentic offerings. But our commitment doesn’t stop at the plate. We believe in travel that works in harmony with the environment and local communities, forging sustainable partnerships that minimize our ecological footprint while uplifting local economies and cultures. ROOT44 is on a mission to transform food and travel into a force for good.
EXPLORE - TRY - SHARE - REPEAT
SHOP
Browse our collection of the finest, nutrient-rich and authentic earth-friendly FRESH & PRESERVED food from sustainably foraged wild plants or prepared by ethical and sustainable farmers and producers.
NO-FUSS TRUFFLE RECIPES
Make incredibly tasty, easy and elevated plant-forward truffle creations from decadent snacks and desserts to elegant mains for EVERYBODY - your fussiest to your most high brow foodies!