Episode 71: Lidia Bastianich

Lidia Bastianich is an Emmy award-winning public television host, a best‐selling cookbook author, restaurateur, and owner of a flourishing food and entertainment business. Lidia has married her two passions in life – her family and food, to create multiple culinary endeavors alongside her two children, Joseph and Tanya. Lidia’s cookbooks include Lidia’s Commonsense Italian Cooking, Lidia’s Favorite Recipes, Lidia’s Italy in America, Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy, and Lidia’s Italy—all companion books to the three‐time Emmy‐nominated television series Lidia’s Kitchen, Lidia’s Italy in America and Lidia’s Italy. Lidia is the chef/owner of four acclaimed New York City restaurants ‐ Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto, as well as Lidia’s Pittsburgh and Lidia’s Kansas City. She is also founder and president of Tavola Productions, an entertainment company that produces high‐quality broadcast productions. Along with her son, Joe Bastianich, Mario Batali, and Oscar Farinetti, the team opened Eataly, the largest artisanal Italian food and wine marketplace in New York City. This program was sponsored by Whole Foods Market

“Cooking is a science – the actual act of throwing things over the fire is a chemical reaction.” [09:00]

“Prepare yourself – be prepared. Practice, work as hard as you can, then go out there and do the best that you can.” [20:00]

–Lidia Bastianich on Chef’s Story