Five Questions for Lidia Bastianich
Widely known for her popular television shows: Lidia’s Italian Table, Lidia’s Italian-American Kitchen, and Lidia’s Family Table, Lidia Bastianich is an award-winning (Her many awards include receiving both the Outstanding Chef Award {2002} and Best Chef in New York Award {1999} from the James Beard Foundation.) celebrity chef and entrepreneur, whose passion for family and tradition is reflected throughout her numerous ventures and projects. She currently has a new magazine available on newstands, Italy at Home, which is an extended reflection of this familial presence, as well as a new television series, Lidia’s Italy, that will premiere next Spring and will highlight her favorite places to visit in Italy. A companion book of the same name will accompany this new series.
Her website, www.lidiasitaly.com, offers an abundance of useful resources, including many recipes, an online newsletter, and information about her books and television series. There is also an online store and an interactive subscription club, where subscribers can watch video demonstrations of her various cooking methods and techniques for selected menus. In addition to hosting television shows, owning four successful restaurants, and authoring six bestselling books (four cookbooks, an extensive Italian wine guide, and a smaller companion wine guide), Chef Bastianich also owns a “gourmet and cultural” travel company, Esperienze Italiane. Esperienze Italiane offers exclusive cultural tours of Italy, with activities including private museum viewings and personal cooking classes.
Throughout her extensive career, Chef Bastianich has helped to provide much assistance and support to many who are disadvantaged and in need. She has worked with various non-profit humanitarian organizations, including UNIFEM and UNICEF. And in order to further extend her humanitarian efforts, she established The Lidia Matticchio Bastianich Foundation. Her charitable contributions continue to help offer aid where needed, as illustrated by her recent participation in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
Despite her very busy schedule, Chef Bastianich recently answered five questions for Paper Palate:
1. What has been your most memorable experience, while filming Lidia’s Family Table?
Being able to share 4 generations.
2. Who is the most famous person you’ve cooked for?
Julia Child. (Julia Child and James Beard at the same table.)
3. Are there any plans for a new television series to follow Lidia’s Family Table?
Yes, Lidia’s Italy, which is scheduled to be released in April 2007. The show will be based on the companion book, which is the 10 Places in Italy that I love to visit the most.
4. What one ingredient do you absolutely have to include in every dish?
Love and olive oil.
5. Any one-word advice or suggestion for aspiring chefs?
In one word—patience! ([Along with] Passion, commitment and tenacity.)
We would like to thank Chef Lidia Bastianich for taking the time to answer five questions for Paper Palate.
If you love the foods creations of Lidia, you should definitely check out what she recommends doing in PA at VisitPA.com. The PA Tourism Office is running a cool campaign this summer, showcasing celebs who represent Pennsylvania well. On Lidia’s list, you can check out where she loves to eat, catch great music, and a lot more!
Check out http://www.visitpa.com/visitpa/playlistDetail.pa?type=celebrity&name=Lidia_Bastianich to see Lidia’s favorite spots. And more playlists are expected to appear throughout the summer from other celebs, so keep checking every week for a new celeb quiz, http://www.visitpa.com.