Lidia Bastianich’s memories of childhood are rooted in a small Italian town where neighbours functioned as an extended family. Children wandered in and out of each other’s homes, meals were shared without ceremony, and support flowed naturally across doorsteps.
It is this instinctive togetherness that the celebrated chef, author and television host hopes to rediscover in her latest PBS special, Lidia Celebrates America: A Nation of Neighbors, premiering on 25 November on PBS and PBS.org.