Lidia Bastianich

Chef Lidia Bastianich brings the heritage of her birthplace in Pula, which blends Italian and Slavic cultures, to her food. Opening her first restaurant in Queens at the age of 24, she is now a prominent food writer and the star of several television cooking shows, winning the 2013 Emmy award for Outstanding Culinary Host in her PBS show Lidia’s Italy. She was also part of the team, along with her son, behind Eataly, the largest Italian food and wine marketplace in New York City. Updated 2014