It’s no secret people love to watch famous chefs on TV. There is no shortage of video content catering to the seasoned chef, aspiring cook, or obsessed foodie. The key to the success of any show is the famous chef behind it. America Domani has put together a roundup of our 6 picks for famous Italian celebrity chefs you should pay attention to as someone who appreciates the art of Italian cuisine and cooking delicious food.
Giada De Laurentiis
Roman-born celebrity chef Giada DeLaurentiis embodies passion, drive, and what it takes to build an iconic brand. She has built a cooking empire and is known as one of the most recognizable faces in the food world. Her 20-year tenure at The Food Network has secured her as culinary royalty. Get tips from her cookbooks like Eat Better, Feel Better: My Recipes for Wellness and Healing, Inside and Out, and Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes.
Fabio Viviani
Florentine chef Fabio Viviani was a food prodigy from an early age. He made his television debut in 2008 on the fifth season of the Bravo Network reality TV show Top Chef. Although he came in fourth place, he was voted a Top Chef fan favorite. Viviani has released several cookbooks since including, Cafe Firenze Cookbook: Food and Drink Recipes from the Tuscan Sons and Fabio's Italian Kitchen.
Alex Guarnaschelli
Daughter of famed cookbook editor Maria Guarnaschelli, Alex has taken the world by storm as the leading chef in multiple Michelin-star restaurants and as one of television’s top celebrity chefs. In 2012, Guarnaschelli was crowned the winner of The Next Iron Chef: Redemption defeating Chef Amanda Freitag, becoming the second female Iron Chef and the first female to win the competition. You can learn how to cook like her in her books Old-School Comfort Food and The Home Cook: Recipes to Know by Heart.
Lidia Bastianich
A true icon of the Italian-American experience, Lidia Bastianich is synonymous with ingenuity and talent. The growth and expansion of Italian and Italian-American food can be attributed to her influence since the 1970s. She has been a regular contributor to cooking shows on public television as well as hosting her own shows such as Lidia's Italian Table. She has also published 17 books which accompanied many of her television series including La Cucina di Lidia and Lidia's Italy in America.
Gabriele Corcos
Gabriele Corcos is an Italian celebrity chef, entrepreneur, and television personality who was raised Jewish in Tuscany. His mother and grandmother were his inspiration to work in the kitchen. He is known for marrying American actress Debi Mazar and together they started a web series called “Under the Tuscan Gun”. Gabriele has made guest appearances on Chopped and had his own show called Extra Virgin in 2011 which aired for five seasons. Check out his best-selling Italian cookbook and New York Times Best Seller, Extra Virgin: Recipes & Love from Our Tuscan Kitchen.
Gino D’Acampo
Based in the United Kingdom, Italian celebrity chef and media personality Gino D’Acampo is famously known for his food-focused television shows and cookbooks. At age 24, Gino began his television career, giving him over 21 years of experience presenting and participating in several prime-time TV shows. He has become one of the most successful restaurateurs with 11 restaurants across the UK as well as a published author of 16 books including The Italian Diet and Gino's Italian Express.
AJ Forrisi
Assistant Editor for America Domani, AJ Forrisi is a Brooklyn-based writer and photographer. His work focuses on food, travel, sports, landscapes, and urban scenes. You can find him on Instagram @aj.photo.works.