Lidia Bastianich

Lidia Bastianich
Lidia Bastianich
Born	Birth date -1st March 1966; Pula, Istria, Italy
Nationality	Italian
Occupation	Chef, author, television host
Known for	Italian cuisine

Lidia Bastianich[edit | edit source]

Lidia Bastianich is an Italian-born chef, author, and television host. She is best known for her expertise in Italian cuisine and her numerous cookbooks and television shows.

Early Life and Career[edit | edit source]

Lidia Bastianich was born on February 21, 1947, in Pula, Istria, Italy. She grew up in a family that was deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of Italy. Her parents owned a small restaurant, where Lidia developed a passion for cooking from a young age.

In 1956, when Lidia was just nine years old, her family fled from Istria to escape the political turmoil in the region. They eventually settled in the United States, where Lidia continued to pursue her love for cooking.

After working in various restaurants, Lidia and her husband, Felice Bastianich, opened their own restaurant, Felidia, in New York City in 1981. The restaurant quickly gained popularity for its authentic Italian dishes and warm hospitality.

Television Career[edit | edit source]

Lidia Bastianich's television career began in the late 1990s when she hosted her first cooking show, Lidia's Italian Table. The show showcased Lidia's culinary skills and her ability to make Italian cuisine accessible to a wide audience.

Since then, Lidia has hosted several successful cooking shows, including Lidia's Family Table, Lidia's Italy, and Lidia's Kitchen. In these shows, she shares her passion for Italian cooking, teaches viewers how to prepare traditional Italian dishes, and explores the diverse regional cuisines of Italy.

Cookbooks and Awards[edit | edit source]

Lidia Bastianich has authored numerous cookbooks, which have become bestsellers and are highly regarded by both home cooks and professional chefs. Some of her notable books include Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen, Lidia's Family Table, and Lidia's Commonsense Italian Cooking.

Throughout her career, Lidia has received several awards and accolades for her contributions to the culinary world. She has been honored with the James Beard Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award and has been inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame.

Personal Life[edit | edit source]

Lidia Bastianich is married to Felice Bastianich, and together they have two children, Joseph and Tanya. Her son, Joseph Bastianich, is a renowned restaurateur and television personality, known for his appearances on the reality cooking show MasterChef.