Interview with Lidia Bastianich – Part 1 and a recipe for Rice and Zucchini Crostata (Torta di Riso e Zucchine)

We have had the privilege of meeting some amazing people over the past few years: chefs, restauranteurs, farmers and business owners.  People that have impacted our lives in ways I could not have imagined.  One of these people is Lidia Bastianich.

I was invited to interview Lidia when we were in New York City for the James Beard Foundation Awards in May of this year.  Lidia is known for so many successful ventures including two cooking series on Public Television, Lidia’s Italy in America and Emmy nominated Lidia’s Italy.  She owns and operates six restaurants in three different cities and has written seven cookbooks, a children’s book and has a new cookbook due out in the fall of 2012.   Partnering with her son, Joe Bastianich, Mario Batali, and Oscar Farinetti, Lidia opened Eataly, a 42,500 square foot Italian artisan food and wine market (with several restaurants) in New York City in August 2010.  She is the founder and president of an entertainment company, Tavola Productions.

Eataly – In the Flatiron District of New York City

In addition, she has several other business projects with her daughter Tanya Bastianich Manuali.  These include a tabletop and cookware line and line of specialty food products.  Tanya, a PhD in Italian Renaissance art history, is also a partner with Lidia and Joe in four of the restaurants.  Tanya plays an important role in Lidia’s television series and has co-authored two of Lidia’s books.

Lidia owns two vineyards in Italy with her son Joe which produce award-winning wines, Bastianich Vineyard in Friuli and La Mozza Vineyard in Maremma.   She has had numerous James Beard Foundation Award nominations and is the recipient of five of the prestigious awards including one for Best Chef U.S. in 2000, Outstanding Chef for Felidia (New York City) in 2002, and for Best Cooking Series, Lidia’s Italy in 2009.  This year, Lidia Celebrates America: Holiday Tables and Traditions, was a finalist for Outstanding Documentary in the James Beard Foundation Broadcast Media Awards.  Lidia is also actively involved in the community and participates in special events for several foundations and on behalf of Public Television.

Becco – One of Lidia’s restaurants in New York City

When we  mentioned our interview of Lidia to a well-known chef from Texas, his comment was, “Food Hero.”  I would have to agree.  Lidia has brought an unprecedented awareness to Italian and Italian-American cuisine, regional artisans, farmers, and small business owners, in both the United States and Italy.   We were so inspired by our time spent with Lidia that this interview will be in two parts since there is so much to share.

Part I

I like to know as much as I can about someone before I meet them.  In the case of Lidia Bastianich, I knew of her past but couldn’t help but be mesmerized by her telling her story.  Some of you may know of Lidia’s childhood, but I’ve decided to share it here because it sets the stage for what is truly a remarkable life’s journey.

Lidia Matticchio Bastianich was born in 1947 in the town of Pula.  Originally a part of Italy, this town on the Istrian peninsula (located on the Adriatic Sea), was turned over to communist Yugoslavia after World War II (this area is now part of Croatia).  During that time, Lidia’a mother was pregnant and it was difficult for them to flee the country as many other families did by crossing over the border into Italy.  Therefore, they lived under communist rule without the things that were most important to their Italian heritage.  They were not allowed to attend church or permitted to speak Italian. However,  they were permitted to travel to visit their grandparents when Lidia was a young girl.

Lidia’s grandparents lived in the nearby countryside and spoke Italian.  Her grandparents raised and slaughtered their own animals and grew and produced their own food.  There were freshly laid eggs from the chickens, house cured prosciutto and bacon from their pigs, and homemade ricotta and cheeses from fresh milk.  The wheat was harvested in June and the kernels remained on the floor until they chose to grind their own flour.  Olive trees provided the olive oil for cooking.  Lydia recalls, “I remember plowing potatoes with my grandmother, following behind her with a basket.  The potatoes were warm in my hand as they came out of the ground.  Perfect with a little olive oil or in a fritatta.  These foods were seasonally foraged.  I loved it.  I was given a gift of nature.”

In 1956, when her parents decided to leave their home because they no longer wanted to raise their two children under communist rule, Lidia’s father, Vittorio, sent his wife and children to Trieste, Italy to visit family.  He was required to stay back to ensure the rest of the family would return. The children did not know they would not be returning home and their goodbyes to their grandparents would be their last.  They left with just enough of their personal belongings to fit in a suitcase.  Vittorio, in the dark of night, soon escaped over the border to join the rest of the family in Trieste.

The Bastianich family sought political asylum and were placed in a political refugee camp in Trieste for two years waiting to emigrate.  When President Eisenhower opened immigration to the United States, Catholic Relief Charities were able to intervene and the family was moved to North Bergen, New Jersey.

“We came from a basic life.  That was the reality.  This move propelled us into the United States and the land of opportunity.  My parents eventually found jobs.  Meanwhile, I found a real connection with food.  I had unfinished business (from leaving Italy) and discovered that food was the connection to my grandmother and the home we left behind.”

Gorgeous fresh pasta at Eataly

Lidia’s first job at age 14 was in actor Christopher Walken’s family bakery in Astoria, New York.  “If someone needed a cake on a Sunday and the bakery was closed, I made a cake.”  Working full-time in local Italian restaurants after she graduated from high school, Lidia’s connection to food became even stronger.  “I met my husband in this industry and opened my first restaurant with him (Buonavia in Queens) at age 24.  I was not a chef, but I knew food.”

I was interested in how Lidia went from owning one restaurant at age 24 to the impressive food empire that she presides over today.  “I became the conduit; people looking for their roots and heritage, not just Italians.  I represent that.  I always look, research, learn and apply these things.  Along the way, there was always someone that nurtured me or fed me energy in different ways.  People bring you an element and you make it your own.  I did this.  I grew.”

One of the people that had a major influence on Lidia and her career was Julia Child.  Julia would come to dine at Felidia (Lidia’s flagship restaurant in Manhattan where we met her).  She would most often be accompanied by James Beard.  The two eventually became friends.  Julia recognized Lidia’s talent and asked her to tape two shows with her, one of which was nominated for an Emmy.  Lidia told us, “Julia said I was good and should have a television show.”  At that time Lidia was interested in transitioning from a chef and an artisan into communicating her message through television.  She was not sure of the path to get there, but soon found encouragement working with Julia.

Felidia – Photo from the internet