Lidia Bastianich

Lidia Bastianich is an acclaimed Italian-American chef, television personality, author, and restaurateur, born on February 21, 1947, in Pula, Istria (now part of Croatia). Her family emigrated to the United States when she was 11 years old, settling in Astoria, Queens. Bastianich began her culinary career in New York City, opening her first restaurant, Buonavia, in 1971. She later co-founded Felidia, one of the first women-owned fine dining establishments in America. Her television debut came when Julia Child invited her to appear on her PBS show, leading to a successful career in cooking television .+3PBS+3+3

Bastianich has hosted several popular cooking shows, including Lidia's Kitchen, Lidia's Italy, and Lidia Celebrates America. She has authored numerous cookbooks and is a founding partner of Eataly, a global network of Italian marketplaces. Her culinary philosophy emphasizes simplicity, tradition, and the importance of family in cooking. In 2024, she was honored with a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the culinary world .Tasting Table+3The Famous People+3PBS+3Mashed+2PBS+2+2The Famous People+4+4FamousIntel+4

Bastianich's reflections on food and family are central to her work. She has stated, “Food is culture. Food is an identity, a footprint of who you are” . She also believes in the power of cooking to bring people together, saying, “When you sit down to eat at a table, you are ready to take in nourishment... Even in primal tribes, people ate together. It's the opening for friendship” . Through her culinary endeavors, Bastianich continues to share her passion for Italian cuisine and the values of family and tradition.BrainyQuote