Meeting Lidia Bastianich
This past Monday, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet my favorite celebrity chef, Lidia Bastianich. I'm still fizzy with excitement! I have admired Lidia for many years, I watch her cooking show on PBS, and I own several of her cookbooks. So much of what I've learned {and continue to learn} about Italian food and cooking has been from her.
The wine tasting and book signing event was hosted by PBS (Houston local channel 8) and held at the Montrose Whole Foods {a gorgeous store}. Guests were treated to a beautifully presented spread of Italian antipasti--Creminelli salumi, olives, assorted cheeses, grilled vegetables, bruschetta, and the most delicious fried eggplant sliders I've ever tasted. There were also three of Bastianich wines available for sampling--a Sauvignon Blanc, Adriatico, and La Mozza, a red wine from a vinyard co-owned by Lidia and her son, Joe with chef Mario Batali. Since I drove myself to the event, I decided not to drink any wine; instead, I bought two bottles to enjoy later on. Copies of Lidia's latest cookbook, Lidia's Italy in America were plentiful, and I kick-started my Christmas shopping by buying several copies. Everyone also received a complimentary copy of Nonna Tell Me A Story, Lidia's first children's book. It was released last year and I gave several copies as gifts. I'm happy to now have my very own signed copy!
I was thrilled to speak to Lidia in Italian. She asked me where my family was from and she noted very quickly that my Italian accent was Roman. Thanks to a lovely PBS representative named Linda, I was able to have several pictures taken with Lidia. Thank you, Linda!
There are so many reasons I admire Lidia. What resonates with me the most is how genuine she is. What you see when you watch her on television is what you get when you meet her in person. She's the real deal. She embodies true authenticity and has not let fame define her. She has remained true to her roots and her culture while simultaneously embracing the American way of life. Everything she has accompished and achieved has been through perseverance, hard work and dedication. She is continually learning and has made it her mission to pay it forward by teaching her fans everything she learns. Above all, you notice instantly that she loves what she does and is always expressing gratitude for the people who have helped make her the success she is today.
After she mingled a while longer with guests, Lidia moved to the front of the room where she welcomed and thanked everyone for coming. She enthusiastically shared the premise for her newest cookbook and told us about some of the cities she visited and people she met across the country while doing the research for the cookbook. I'm a little embarassed to admit that I don't know very much about the Italian-American food culture in our country, but I know that after I read Lidia's cookbook, I will have received a thorough education and I'm looking forward to reading it from cover to cover.
Attending this event would not have been possible if it had not been for my husband, who surprised me a couple of weeks ago with a ticket after he read about the event online. Thanks, Love! Meeting Lidia was not only one of the highlights of the year, it was also one of the highlights of my life--one that I will never forget.
I'm headed to my home state of Maryland this weekend for a few days of fun with family and friends, but I'll have a special post for you when I return, so stay tuned. You won't want to miss it! I'll be sure to post the announcement on both Twitter and my Facebook page.
A presto!
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I am so jealous! I luuuuv Lidia and her cookbooks are my go-to for authentic Italiano. And your husband is a total studly sweetheart. So sweet.
How fun! I love that she had food and wine at her book signing. I'm going to have to look for her cookbook!
Looks like you had a blast! I love meeting celebrity chefs in real life. :)
What a neat opportunity! So much better than just the usual book signing event. I was wondering if she was as nice and genuine in person as she seems on TV, and it's nice to know that she is. So glad that you had the opportunity to meet your favorite celebrity chef in person! Hope you have a wonderful time with your family and friends in Maryland this weekend!
Sounds like so much fun!!! And I'm going to look for that book!