Lidia Bastianich’s new cookbook: ‘Lidia’s From Our Family Table to Yours’

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.

She has a new cookbook out titled, “Lidia’s From Our Family Table to Yours”, a deeply personal collection of simple-to-prepare recipes she cooks for the ones she loves the most.

On Tuesday, she was at an event at Mesa Arts Center and was interviewed by Chris Bianco. Bastianich has a popular tv show on PBS called “Lidia’s Kitchen.”

Bastianich has Italian roots which are often shown in her cooking, even on Thanksgiving.

“Being Italian, you know Italy is always on the table. But I love Thanksgiving because it gives me an opportunity to thank America, be American,” Bastianich said.

She always makes traditional food like turkey or sweet potatoes, she said, but adds some hints of Italian cuisine such as a lasagna or antipasto.

Being an immigrant, Bastianich often sees how food and culture shapes who you are, what you like and the flavors that you relate too.

“What’s important and what is great, at least for me being a grandma, is passing it down to my children, to my grandchildren. But I had this wonderful opportunity to connect with America through PBS and share my culture, my passion, and, of course, the Italian recipes with America,” Bastianich said.

Bastianich came to America when she was only twelve years old. She has been part of the industry since she was 14 and worked at a bakery. She didn’t have plans to become an author or have her own television show; she just loved cooking.

When Bastianich opened her second restaurant, Julia Child paid one of her restaurants a visit, wanting to know what she was cooking up.

“She loved the risotto. She ordered the risotto, she wanted to know how to cook it, she came over to the house, and ultimately invited me on her show. And the producer said, ‘Lidia, you’re pretty good. How about a show of your own?'” Bastianich said.

Her love for research and passion for communicating what she learned made becoming a television personality so easy. It was also a way to connect her two cultures together.

“I loved it, and I still do, 25 years now!” Bastianich said.