LIDIA MATTICCHIO BASTIANICH Owner, Felidia & Co-Owner, Becco
1987: Receives Woman of the Year/Innovation Award, Restaurant Category, by the Women's Institute of the Center for Food and Hotel Management.

Star of the 39-part public television show, "Lidia's Italian Table", Lidia Mattticchio Batstianich is widely regarded as the "First Lady" of Italian cuisine and restaurants in the United States. She was born in Pula, Istria, a region formed by the Gulf of Trieste at the juncture of Italy and the former Yugoslavia. She came to New York in 1958. Her television show, "Lidia's Italian Table" was released in September 1998 together with her companion book of the same name. Lidia is the owner of the award-winning Felidia restaurant and, with her son Joseph, runs the very popular theater district eatery, Becco. A born teacher and educator, Lidia enjoys sharing her cuisine with a number of talented young Italian and American chefs at her restaurants, where she continues to prepare traditional and authentic Italian food together with them.

Felidia and Becco both have their own unique style, but common to them is a collection of revisited Northeastern recipes from Lidia's homeland, together with special dishes created and prepared by her native-born Italian chefs, Fortunate Nicotra (Executive Chef Felidia) and chefs at Becco. In 1999 Lidia was named American Express Best Chef, New York City by the James Beard Foundation.

Lidia speaks often of the energy and stimulation that she receives from her family. A strong culinary heritage provides inspiration and fuels this mother and son team. Lidia and Joseph's first venture outside of New York City was at Lidia's in Kansas City with managing partner David Wagner, a native of Kansas City. The restaurant, which is expanding to Pittsburgh in the Fall of 2000, combines the cuisines of both Felidia and Becco restaurants. Other mid-size cities are in the works as well.