By Alfonso Guerriero

Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, the renowned chef, restaurateur, author, television personality and pioneer who introduced and educated Americans to authentic Italian regional cuisine, met me at her Upper East Side restaurant Felidia on 58th Street for an afternoon chat about her immigrant experience and success in an industry that perpetually fails seventy-five percent of the time.

When most individuals approaching seventy-years old contemplate retirement and moving to a more tropical location, Ms. Bastianich shows no sign of trading in her pots and pans for a more relaxed environment. "You're absolutely right" as she reaches over to pour mineral water into my glass and responds to why she is not even close to retiring "As the years progress, my enthusiasm to do what I love doing does not digress. I just love it. Of course it gets harder and I have different roles as you go on in life and in business but I have a great time doing what I'm doing."

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Fonte: L'italo-Americano