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. Lidia has married her two passions in life - her family and food, to create multiple culinary endeavors alongside her two children, Joseph and Tanya. Lidia's cookbooks include Lidia's Commonsense Italian Cooking, Lidia's Favorite Recipes, Lidia's Italy in America, Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy, and Lidia's Italy--all companion books to the three‐time Emmy‐nominated television series Lidia's Kitchen, Lidia's Italy in America and Lidia's Italy. Lidia has also published Lidia's Family Table, Lidia's Italian‐American Kitchen, Lidia's Italian Table and La Cucina di Lidia. Lidia is the chef/owner of four acclaimed New York City restaurants ‐ Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto, as well as Lidia's Pittsburgh and Lidia's Kansas City. She is also founder and president of Tavola Productions, an entertainment company that produces high‐quality broadcast productions. Along with her son, Joe Bastianich, Mario Batali, and Oscar Farinetti, the team opened Eataly, the largest artisanal Italian food and wine marketplace in New York City. Lidia also has a line of pastas and all natural sauces called LIDIA'S, and has just recently launched an exclusive line of ready-made home-style meals with Whole Foods Market in the Northeast. Lidia's first children's book, Nonna Tell Me a Story: Lidia's Christmas Kitchen, was inspired by her five grandchildren. The second installation in the series, Lidia's Family Kitchen: Nonna's Birthday Surprise, was released in the Spring of 2013. Lidia gives freely of her time and knowledge, and is active member of society who participates in community service activities and special events on behalf of several foundations and Public Television.www.lidiasitaly.comwww.facebook.com/lidiabastianichwww.twitter.com/lidiabastianich