The Buttenweiser Hall is packed, humming with anticipation. And then, in strides Giada De Laurentiis—poised, practiced, a smile built for the spotlight. On stage, waiting to greet her, is Melissa Ben-Ishay, the mastermind behind Baked by Melissa. The occasion? A celebration of Super Italian, Giada’s latest cookbook. The 92nd Street Y is hosting, and the theme of the evening is clear: an Italy stripped down to its essence, where flavor reigns over excess.

One hundred and ten recipes, each a rediscovery of what makes Italian cooking sing. The book moves with a light touch—ingredients matter more than quantity, simplicity is the goal. This isn’t a cuisine drowning in cream or blanketed in parmesan. It’s an Italy that lets its food breathe.