Famed chef Lidia Bastianich is best known for her delicious Italian meals seen in her best-selling cookbooks or on her hit PBS cooking show “Lidia’s Kitchen.” While the beloved chef can share her story from her own elegant New York City restaurant, Felidia, it all began from modest means as child in Italy.

Over a mouth-watering meal, Bastianich told PIX11’s Betty Nguyen how food and cooking has always been an important part of her life and her family, and how it continues to be a bridge for her to her past and her loved ones.