BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Tutti a tavola a mangiare, Lehigh Valley!
In words echoed by TV host Lidia Bastianich, "everyone to the table to eat," with the celebrity chef at Northampton Community College's (NCC) Food and Wine Gala.
Bastianich is the year's special guest at the swanky soiree that will take place inside the ballroom at Wind Creek Casino on Friday, June 2.
Tickets are $500 per person and benefit NCC's culinary arts program.
- Celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich is this year's special guest at NCC's Food and Wine Gala
- Bastianich will also attend a book signing at PBS39 on Friday, June 2
- Gala tickets are $500 per person and will benefit the college's culinary arts program
Pasta galore
The evening's menu will include appetizers, main dishes and desserts inspired by Bastianich's favorite recipes.
"It will be an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates the power of delicious food and wine. The menu will highlight the flavors of Italy with a unique twist that reflects the local ingredients and traditions of the Lehigh Valley," Bastianich said via Zoom at NCC's media event announcing the details on Tuesday.
There will also be a silent auction with a chance to win tickets to Napa, California, and dinner at one of Bastianich's well-known New York City restaurants.
"It will be an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates the power of delicious food and wine. The menu will highlight the flavors of Italy with a unique twist that reflects the local ingredients and traditions of the Lehigh Valley."Celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich
Meet-and-greet at PBS39
Before the dinner, Bastianich will attend a meet-and-greet at PBS39, which is one of the gala's sponsors, to meet fans and distribute copies of her best-selling books, including "Lidia’s A Pot, A Pan, and a Bowl" — a companion piece to her public television 26-part series, "Lidia Home Cooking: Life of Love, Family, and Food."
Tickets to the meet-and-greet come with a $100 donation to PBS39, and a few lucky attendees will also win tickets to the gala.
"Speaking of the (Lehigh) Valley, I'm thrilled to join my friends at PBS39 at the event. I worked with PBS for many years and they are part of my family," Bastianich said.
Spreading goodwill
Bastianich shared with the crowd the story of how her family fled Europe during World War ll.
"With the help of the Catholic charities, we were able to come to New York to start new in 1958. The kindness and help my family and I received arriving to America was incredible — strangers and nonprofit organizations were willing to give us a home, fill our cupboards with food and find my parents a job," she said. "To this day, I have much gratitude for the people and organizations that helped us when we need it most, which is why I have to spread the same generous spirit whenever I can."
Part of her goal is to help future culinary students achieve their goals, she said.
"I knew that I wanted to be involved after hearing about this event aimed at helping students receive an education... I'm so happy I can be part of of such a good cause and I can't wait to share more of my story at the gala."
Tickets are available for purchase at lehighvalleyfoodandwine.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: LehighValleyNews.com, PBS39 and WLVR 91.3 FM are part of Lehigh Valley Public Media, which s a sponsor of the Food and Wine Gala.
