Gary's Wine & Marketplace Welcomes Chef Lidia Bastianich to Madison

Gary's Wine & Marketplace Welcomes Chef Lidia Bastianich to Madison 

A book signing and wine tasting event for the whole family

Gary's Wine and Marketplace welcomes beloved television host, cookbook author and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich to the Madison store for a special book signing and wine tasting on November 30th from 5-7 pm.  Lidia will be on hand to sign copies of her latest cookbook—Lidia Cooks From The Heart of Italy" as well as her debut children's picture book, "Nonna Tell Me A Story." A line up of Lidia's own wines from Friuli and Tuscany will be available to taste at this family oriented event. 

"We are thrilled to have Lidia back in the store." said Gary Fisch, "Last year's event in Wayne was a huge success. Lidia's cookbooks are a big hit with our customers and this year we can offer two books and her entire portfolio of wines." 

With the debut of Lidia's first children's book, this year's event promises to be something the whole family can enjoy. "Nonna Tell Me a Story: Lidia's Christmas Kitchen" paints a vivid picture of Lidia's own childhood growing up in Istria where presents were scarce and holiday traditions revolved around the creative use of what the land provided—fruits, nuts and decorations crafted from juniper bush. True to her culinary roots, Lidia shares holiday recipes and tree-trimming ideas that are sure to inspire parents and grandparents to share their own heritage with family.

In her latest cookbook, "Lidia Cooks From The Heart of Italy" she delves into the regional cooking of many lesser-known parts of Italy-Molise, Liguria, Umbria, Abruzzo, Calabria, Valle d'Aosta, Le Marche, Trentino, Alto Adige, Basilicata, and Sardinia-and explores hidden treasures in the well-known gastronomic domains of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna. 

Guests at this event will have the opportunity to taste award-winning wines from Azienda Agricola Bastianich, the property opened by Lidia and her son Joe Bastianich in the Colli Orientali region of Friuli in Northeastern Italy as well wines of La Mozza, the property in Tuscany's Maremma region that Lidia founded with son, Joe and Mario Batali.

About Lidia Bastianich:

Lidia is the chef/owner of four acclaimed New York City restaurants -- Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto, as well as Lidia's in Pittsburgh and Kansas City. She is also founder and president of Tavola Productions, an entertainment company that produces high-quality broadcast productions including Lidia's Italy. In addition, Lidia has developed her own line of specialty sauces that are sold at discriminating retail establishments nationally and together with her son Joseph, produces award-winning wines at their Bastianich Vineyards in Friuli and their La Mozza Vineyards in Maremma, Italy. With her daughter Tanya and Shelly Burgess Nictra, she heads up an exclusive travel company that develops and implements customized excursions to Italy that often combine gastronomy with art history. She gives freely of her time and knowledge, and is active in community service activities and special events on behalf of the James Beard Foundation and Public Television. Her interactive website, www.lidiasitaly.com, includes descriptions of her restaurants, product information and reviews, as well as mouthwatering recipes and tips from Lidia herself.

About Gary's Wine & Marketplace

Gary's Wine & Marketplace is an established leader in the fine wine & spirits business since 1987, with retail locations in Madison, Bernardsville and Wayne, NJ and an Online Wine, Spirits & Gifts Store at www.garyswine.com. Gary's Wine, a top NJ wine store, has an enormous portfolio of fine and rare wines to fit every budget as well as gourmet foods, gifts, craft beer and spirits.

Gary's Wine & Marketplace has three retail locations in New Jersey:

Gary's Wine & Marketplace in Madison, NJ - 121 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940 (973) 822-0200 

Gary's Wine & Marketplace in Bernardsville, NJ - 100 Morristown Road - Route 202, Bernardsville, NJ 07924 (908) 766-6699 

Gary's Wine & Marketplace in Wayne, NJ - 1308 Route 23 North, Wayne, NJ 07470 (973) 633-3900