This week, Executive Chef Michele Casadei Massari, the founder of Lucciola Italian Restaurant and Piccolo Café in Manhattan, became the new US Brand Ambassador of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. For the next year, he will share the benefits of cooking, eating, and above all, enjoying this 1,000-year-old hard cheese made from just three simple ingredients: cow’s milk, salt, and rennet. Chef Michele will also explain why this cheese has little in common with parmesan.

"More than anything, I want to help people understand that by eating better food they will be healthier, live longer, and feel happier – and eating real Parmigiano Reggiano is the perfect way to start focusing on living a fuller, better life,” said Chef Michele. “So, I will be introducing some new (and very healthy) recipes, as well as some exceptional pairings, too.”