Lidia Bastianich has two passions - family and food - and shes managed to create an culinary empire using both. Lidia is the chef/owner of four acclaimed New York City restaurants -- Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto, as well as Lidias in Pittsburgh and Kansas City. Her cookbooks include Lidia Cooks From the Heart of Italy and Lidias Italy - both companion books to her Emmy-nominated television series, Lidias Italy, Lidias Family Table, Lidias Italian- American Kitchen, Lidias Italian Table and La Cucina di Lidia. Lidia came to the United States from Istria -- when she was 12 years old with her parents and her brother Franco. She had wanted to become a doctor - but fate had other plans for her. This program has been sponsored by Bonnie Plants.