Click to receive personalized book recommendations daily.
Before you go...
Check Out These
21 Books You’ve Been Meaning to Read
See the List
Best Seller
My American Dream by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich
Read An Excerpt
Read An Excerpt
Read An Excerpt

Look Inside

Read An Excerpt
Read An Excerpt
Read An Excerpt

My American Dream

A Life of Love, Family, and Food

A Life of Love, Family, and Food

A Life of Love, Family, and Food

A Life of Love, Family, and Food

A Life of Love, Family, and Food

A Life of Love, Family, and Food

By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich
Read by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich
Read by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich
Read by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich
Read by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

Paperback $17.00

Mar 05, 2019 | 352 Pages

Paperback $31.00

Apr 03, 2018 | 512 Pages

Hardcover $28.95

Apr 03, 2018 | 352 Pages

Ebook $14.99

Apr 03, 2018 | 352 Pages

CD $45.00

Apr 03, 2018 | 780 Minutes

Audiobook Download $22.50

Apr 03, 2018 | 772 Minutes

All Formats
+
    My American Dream by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich
    Hardcover
    Apr 03, 2018 | 352 Pages
    See All Formats (5) +

    Paperback (2)
    +

    • Paperback $17.00

      Mar 05, 2019 | 352 Pages

    • Paperback $31.00

      Apr 03, 2018 | 512 Pages

    Hardcover
    –

    • Hardcover $28.95

      Apr 03, 2018 | 352 Pages

    Ebook
    +

    • Ebook $14.99

      Apr 03, 2018 | 352 Pages

    Audio (2)
    +

    Buy the Audiobook Download:

    About My American Dream

    A heartwarming, inspirational, and revelatory memoir from the bestselling, beloved, and award-winning celebrity chef, Lidia Bastianich, told with all her hallmark warmth and gusto.

    For millions of Americans, Lidia Bastianich feels like family. For decades, she’s shown us how to celebrate Italian food through her cookbooks, TV shows, and restaurants. Now, in My American Dream, she tells her own story for the very first time. Born in Pula in what is now Croatia, Lidia grew up surrounded by love and security–despite her family’s poverty–learning the art of Italian cooking from her beloved grandmother. When the communist regime began investigating the family, they fled to Trieste, Italy, where they spent two years in a refugee camp waiting for visas to enter the United States. Shortly after arriving in New York at age twelve, Lidia began working in restaurants, her first step on a path that led to her accomplishing her own American dream: becoming one of the most revered chefs and businesswomen in the country. A fascinating, deeply personal, and inspiring look at the life of one of our greatest culinary icons, My American Dream is a story of Lidia’s close-knit family and her dedication and endless passion for food that ultimately led to multiple restaurants, many cookbooks, and twenty years on public television as the host of her own cooking show.

    About My American Dream

    From the best-selling cookbook author, beloved and award-winning television personality, and hugely successful restaurateur–a heartwarming, emotional, revelatory memoir told with all her hallmark warmth and gusto.

    Lidia’s story begins with her upbringing in Pula, a formerly Italian city turned Yugoslavian under Tito’s communist regime. She enjoys a childhood surrounded by love and security–despite the family’s poverty–learning everything about Italian cooking from her beloved grandmother, Nonna Rosa. When the communist regime begins investigating the family, they flee to Trieste, Italy, where they spend two years in a refugee camp waiting for visas to enter the United States–an experience that will shape Lidia for the rest of her life. At age 12, Lidia starts a new life in New York. She soon begins working in restaurants as a young teenager, the first step toward the creation of her own American dream. And she tells in great, vivid detail the fulfillment of that dream: her close-knit family, her dedication and endless passion for food that ultimately leads to multiple restaurants, many cookbooks, and twenty years on public television as the host of her own cooking show. An absolute must-have for the millions of Lidia fans.

    About My American Dream

    From the best-selling cookbook author, beloved and award-winning television personality, and hugely successful restaurateur–a heartwarming, emotional, revelatory memoir told with all her hallmark warmth and gusto.

    Lidia’s story begins with her upbringing in Pula, a formerly Italian city turned Yugoslavian under Tito’s communist regime. She enjoys a childhood surrounded by love and security–despite the family’s poverty–learning everything about Italian cooking from her beloved grandmother, Nonna Rosa. When the communist regime begins investigating the family, they flee to Trieste, Italy, where they spend two years in a refugee camp waiting for visas to enter the United States–an experience that will shape Lidia for the rest of her life. At age 12, Lidia starts a new life in New York. She soon begins working in restaurants as a young teenager, the first step toward the creation of her own American dream. And she tells in great, vivid detail the fulfillment of that dream: her close-knit family, her dedication and endless passion for food that ultimately leads to multiple restaurants, many cookbooks, and twenty years on public television as the host of her own cooking show. An absolute must-have for the millions of Lidia fans.

    About My American Dream

    From the best-selling cookbook author, beloved and award-winning television personality, and hugely successful restaurateur–a heartwarming, emotional, revelatory memoir told with all her hallmark warmth and gusto.

    Lidia’s story begins with her upbringing in Pula, a formerly Italian city turned Yugoslavian under Tito’s communist regime. She enjoys a childhood surrounded by love and security–despite the family’s poverty–learning everything about Italian cooking from her beloved grandmother, Nonna Rosa. When the communist regime begins investigating the family, they flee to Trieste, Italy, where they spend two years in a refugee camp waiting for visas to enter the United States–an experience that will shape Lidia for the rest of her life. At age 12, Lidia starts a new life in New York. She soon begins working in restaurants as a young teenager, the first step toward the creation of her own American dream. And she tells in great, vivid detail the fulfillment of that dream: her close-knit family, her dedication and endless passion for food that ultimately leads to multiple restaurants, many cookbooks, and twenty years on public television as the host of her own cooking show. An absolute must-have for the millions of Lidia fans.

    About My American Dream

    From the best-selling cookbook author, beloved and award-winning television personality, and hugely successful restaurateur–a heartwarming, emotional, revelatory memoir told with all her hallmark warmth and gusto.

    Lidia’s story begins with her upbringing in Pula, a formerly Italian city turned Yugoslavian under Tito’s communist regime. She enjoys a childhood surrounded by love and security–despite the family’s poverty–learning everything about Italian cooking from her beloved grandmother, Nonna Rosa. When the communist regime begins investigating the family, they flee to Trieste, Italy, where they spend two years in a refugee camp waiting for visas to enter the United States–an experience that will shape Lidia for the rest of her life. At age 12, Lidia starts a new life in New York. She soon begins working in restaurants as a young teenager, the first step toward the creation of her own American dream. And she tells in great, vivid detail the fulfillment of that dream: her close-knit family, her dedication and endless passion for food that ultimately leads to multiple restaurants, many cookbooks, and twenty years on public television as the host of her own cooking show. An absolute must-have for the millions of Lidia fans.

    About My American Dream

    From the best-selling cookbook author, beloved and award-winning television personality, and hugely successful restaurateur–a heartwarming, emotional, revelatory memoir told with all her hallmark warmth and gusto.

    Lidia’s story begins with her upbringing in Pula, a formerly Italian city turned Yugoslavian under Tito’s communist regime. She enjoys a childhood surrounded by love and security–despite the family’s poverty–learning everything about Italian cooking from her beloved grandmother, Nonna Rosa. When the communist regime begins investigating the family, they flee to Trieste, Italy, where they spend two years in a refugee camp waiting for visas to enter the United States–an experience that will shape Lidia for the rest of her life. At age 12, Lidia starts a new life in New York. She soon begins working in restaurants as a young teenager, the first step toward the creation of her own American dream. And she tells in great, vivid detail the fulfillment of that dream: her close-knit family, her dedication and endless passion for food that ultimately leads to multiple restaurants, many cookbooks, and twenty years on public television as the host of her own cooking show. An absolute must-have for the millions of Lidia fans.

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    About Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

    LIDIA MATTICCHIO BASTIANICH is the author of thirteen cookbooks and the Emmy award-winning host of public television’s Lidia’s Kitchen, which also airs internationally. She is also a judge on MasterChef Junior Italy and Italy’s highly rated daily program La Prova del Cuoco. Lidia owns Felidia,… More about Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

    About Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

    LIDIA MATTICCHIO BASTIANICH is the author of thirteen cookbooks and the Emmy award-winning host of public television’s Lidia’s Kitchen, which also airs internationally. She is also a judge on MasterChef Junior Italy and Italy’s highly rated daily program La Prova del Cuoco. Lidia owns Felidia,… More about Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

    About Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

    LIDIA MATTICCHIO BASTIANICH is the author of thirteen cookbooks and the Emmy award-winning host of public television’s Lidia’s Kitchen, which also airs internationally. She is also a judge on MasterChef Junior Italy and Italy’s highly rated daily program La Prova del Cuoco. Lidia owns Felidia,… More about Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

    About Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

    LIDIA MATTICCHIO BASTIANICH is the author of thirteen cookbooks and the Emmy award-winning host of public television’s Lidia’s Kitchen, which also airs internationally. She is also a judge on MasterChef Junior Italy and Italy’s highly rated daily program La Prova del Cuoco. Lidia owns Felidia,… More about Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

    About Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

    LIDIA MATTICCHIO BASTIANICH is the author of thirteen cookbooks and the Emmy award-winning host of public television’s Lidia’s Kitchen, which also airs internationally. She is also a judge on MasterChef Junior Italy and Italy’s highly rated daily program La Prova del Cuoco. Lidia owns Felidia,… More about Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

    About Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

    LIDIA MATTICCHIO BASTIANICH is the author of thirteen cookbooks and the Emmy award-winning host of public television’s Lidia’s Kitchen, which also airs internationally. She is also a judge on MasterChef Junior Italy and Italy’s highly rated daily program La Prova del Cuoco. Lidia owns Felidia,… More about Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

    Product Details

    Category: Food Memoir & Travel | Regional & Ethnic Cooking

    Paperback | $17.00
    Published by Vintage
    Mar 05, 2019 | 352 Pages | 5-3/16 x 8 | ISBN 9780525431985

    Category: Food Memoir & Travel | Regional & Ethnic Cooking

    Paperback | $31.00
    Published by Random House Large Print
    Apr 03, 2018 | 512 Pages | 6-1/8 x 9-1/4 | ISBN 9780525589556

    Category: Food Memoir & Travel | Regional & Ethnic Cooking

    Hardcover | $28.95
    Published by Knopf
    Apr 03, 2018 | 352 Pages | 6-1/4 x 9-1/4 | ISBN 9781524731618

    Category: Food Memoir & Travel | Regional & Ethnic Cooking

    Ebook | $14.99
    Published by Knopf
    Apr 03, 2018 | 352 Pages | ISBN 9781524731625

    Category: Food Memoir & Travel | Regional & Ethnic Cooking | Audiobooks

    CD | $45.00
    Published by Random House Audio
    Apr 03, 2018 | 780 Minutes | ISBN 9780525588740

    Category: Food Memoir & Travel | Regional & Ethnic Cooking | Audiobooks

    Audiobook Download | $22.50
    Published by Random House Audio
    Apr 03, 2018 | 772 Minutes | ISBN 9780525588757

    Inspired by Your Browsing History

    Also in Regional & Ethnic Cooking

    ‹ ›
    Cooking from Scratch
    Cooking from Scratch
    PCC Community Markets
    Wine Food
    Wine Food
    Dana Frank and Andrea Slonecker
    Catalan Food
    Catalan Food
    Daniel Olivella and Caroline Wright
    The Staub Cookbook
    The Staub Cookbook
    Staub and Amanda Frederickson
    All-Time Best Dinners for Two
    All-Time Best Dinners for Two
    All-Time Best Brunch
    All-Time Best Brunch
    Wild
    Wild
    Sarah Glover
    How to Cook Without a Book, Completely Updated and Revised
    How to Cook Without a Book, Completely Updated and Revised
    Pam Anderson
    Mastering Pizza
    Mastering Pizza
    David Joachim and Marc Vetri
    The Complete Cook's Country TV Show Cookbook Season 11
    The Complete Cook’s Country TV Show Cookbook Season 11
    Pimp My Rice
    Pimp My Rice
    Nisha Katona
    In the French Kitchen with Kids
    In the French Kitchen with Kids
    Mardi Michels
    Easy Thai Cookbook
    Easy Thai Cookbook
    Sallie Morris
    Provincetown Seafood Cookbook
    Provincetown Seafood Cookbook
    Howard Mitcham
    A Taste of Prince Edward County
    A Taste of Prince Edward County
    Chris Johns
    Dosa Kitchen
    Dosa Kitchen
    Leda Scheintaub and Nash Patel
    The Wickaninnish Cookbook
    The Wickaninnish Cookbook
    Wickaninnish Inn
    Taco! Taco! Taco!
    Taco! Taco! Taco!
    Sara Haas
    A Burger to Believe In
    A Burger to Believe In
    Chris Kronner and Paolo Lucchesi
    Eating Local in the Fraser Valley
    Eating Local in the Fraser Valley
    Angie Quaale
    The Best Cook in the World
    The Best Cook in the World
    Rick Bragg
    The Plantpower Way: Italia
    The Plantpower Way: Italia
    Rich Roll and Julie Piatt
    Southern from Scratch
    Southern from Scratch
    Ashley English
    My Lisbon
    My Lisbon
    Nuno Mendes
    Eat a Little Better
    Eat a Little Better
    Sam Kass
    Korean BBQ
    Korean BBQ
    Bill Kim and Chandra Ram
    Multicooker Perfection
    Multicooker Perfection
    Mowgli Street Food
    Mowgli Street Food
    Nisha Katona
    Super Easy Burgers
    Super Easy Burgers
    Orathay Souksisavanh
    The Great Shellfish Cookbook
    The Great Shellfish Cookbook
    Matt Dean Pettit
    River Cafe London
    River Cafe London
    Rose Gray, Ruth Rogers, Sian Wyn Owen and Joseph Trivelli
    Michael Symon's Playing with Fire
    Michael Symon’s Playing with Fire
    Michael Symon and Douglas Trattner
    Great Whiskeys
    Great Whiskeys
    DK
    Gather & Graze
    Gather & Graze
    Rachel Holtzman and Stephanie Izard
    Pizzapedia
    Pizzapedia
    Dan Bransfield
    The Mamma Mia! Diet
    The Mamma Mia! Diet
    Paola Palestini and Paola Lovisetti Scamihorn

    Praise

    “Restaurateur, cookbook author, and TV host Bastianich offers an ebullient, nostalgic memoir of her journey to success… A warm story of a life buoyed by resilience, determination, love of family, and food.”
    —Kirkus 

    “Chef and restaurateur Bastianich offers a look into her culinary background in this charming memoir… Through her lyrical prose, she also encourages readers to find the bright side of any situation. This is a welcome addition to any food lover’s library.”
    —Publisher’s Weekly

    “In this memoir, restaurateur, television star, and cookbook author Bastianich personifies the American dream. …the grande dame of Italian cooking in America… Bastianich’s story holds even more significance for her triumph in a male- dominated industry.”
    —Starred Booklist Review

    “it is a touching (and timely) read.”
    —New York Journal of Books

    “It paints a loving and often mouth-watering picture of her culinary adventures.”
    —Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

    Looking for More Great Reads?
    Download our Spring Fiction Sampler Now
    Back to Top

    Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network

    Brightly

    Raise kids who love to read
    TASTE img

    TASTE

    An online magazine for today’s home cook

    Signature

    Making Well-Read Sense of the World

    LitFlash

    The eBooks you want at the lowest prices

    Read it Forward

    Read it first. Pass it on!
    First to Read

    First to Read

    Early access to Penguin Random House’s hottest new titles
    Unbound Worlds

    Unbound Worlds

    Exploring the science fiction and fantasy universe