Press Releases

Chef Lidia Bastianich to headline WCNY’s

by Rouhollah Goudarzi

March 16, 2021

Chef Lidia Bastianich to headline WCNY’s
Taste of Fame live virtual Zoom event May 21; in-person event Oct. 15

WCNY, Central New York’s flagship public broadcaster, is partnering with Lidia Bastianich for its live virtual Taste of Fame experience on May 21. The award-winning celebrity chef, author, and host of “Lidia’s Kitchen” (APT, WGBH) will also headline WCNY’s in-person event on Oct. 15 at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown This year, more than 25 participating PBS stations will be part of the Taste of Fame virtual event.

Tickets are on sale for both events at www.wcny.org/tasteoffame.

“We are very excited Chef Lidia Bastianich will host this year’s virtual Taste of Fame virtual event for participating PBS stations across the country,” says Mitch Gelman, WCNY president and chief executive officer. “I think cooking alongside Chef Lidia at home and using meal kits from Sunbasket, is a fun and innovative way for our supporters to participate—whether they are looking for a cooking demonstration from the best, or just a unique way to enjoy good food while entertaining at home. Spring is a time to look forward to for many, this year more than ever, and I think our virtual Taste of Fame experience is the perfect way to celebrate the season.”

About the Taste of Fame Virtual Event May 21 on Zoom
WCNY’s signature culinary fundraiser, Taste of Fame, invites guests to be part of a live, culinary journey from the comfort and safety of their homes. WCNY is working with Sunbasket to deliver meal kits to homes, so guests can cook along with Lidia, who will participate from her home kitchen in Boston. The Sunbasket meal kit includes Spinach-Artichoke Dip with Traditional Pita for an appetizer, ingredients to create Lidia’s Springtime Asparagus Risotto, and Simple Dark Chocolate Bars for an after-dinner dessert snack. The experience begins with a cocktail Q&A with Chef Lidia, moderated by Chef Julia Collin Davison of “America’s Test Kitchen” at 6:30 p.m. Guests are invited to ask Lidia a question in the Zoom chat as she creates Fragoncello, one of her favorite spring cocktails. Following the cocktail Q&A at 7 p.m., Lidia will guide guests through a cooking lesson as she creates a springtime asparagus risotto dish. When the cooking lesson ends, guests will have the opportunity to eat with friends in private Zoom rooms.

Dinner Ticket – $175 for 1 Ticket (Sunbasket Ingredient Meal Kit for Four People)

Includes:

1. 30-minute cocktail Q&A with Chef Lidia, moderated by Chef Julia Collin Davison of “America’s Test Kitchen”
2. Sunbasket ingredient meal kit delivered to homes (serves 4)
3. Live cooking lesson
4. Private Zoom meeting rooms to eat with friends in other households
5. Two-week access to the recorded cooking lesson
6. One-month Digital All Access to “America’s Test Kitchen” website

Premium Ticket – $225 for 1 Ticket (Sunbasket Ingredient Meal Kit for Four People)

1. Includes all Dinner Ticket benefits PLUS an autographed copy of Lidia’s cookbook, “Felidia: Recipes from My Flagship Restaurant: A Cookbook”

About the 7th Annual Taste of Fame In-Person Event Oct. 15

WCNY presents its 7th annual Taste of Fame signature fundraising culinary dinner experience Oct. 15 at the Marriott Downtown Syracuse. Guests will enjoy a three-course culinary dinner journey with recipes crafted by Lidia and stories to accompany each course. The best in Finger Lakes wine is also included. Guests will enjoy a cocktail hour and silent auction at 6 p.m., with dinner following at 7 p.m.

VIP ticket holders are invited to attend a LIVE Cooking Demo TV Recording at WCNY TV Studios at 4 p.m., prior to the three-course dinner at the Marriott. The VIP event features a meet and greet with Lidia, in-studio TV recording event, an autographed copy of Chef Lidia’s “Lidia’s Celebrate Like an Italian,” and a photo with Chef Lidia. Chef Julia Collin Davison from “America’s Test Kitchen” will host the Live Cooking Demo TV Recording Event and emcee the three-course dinner.

Following the cooking demo, guests are invited for cocktails at 6 p.m. at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown. The dinner experience begins at 7 p.m.

MENU
Appetizer

1. Roasted Squash and Carrot Salad

Entrée (Choice of)

1. Beer-Braised Beef Short Ribs
2. Chicken Pizzaiola
3. Ricotta Frittata

Dessert

1. Apple Cranberry Crumble

Dinner Ticket –$150 for 1 Ticket (10% off now¬–April 1)

1. Cocktails
2. Silent Auction
3. Three-course culinary dinner experience at the Marriott Downtown Syracuse
4. One-month Digital All Access to “America’s Test Kitchen” website

VIP Ticket – $250 for 1 Ticket (10% off now¬–April 1)

1. VIP Meet and Greet with Chef Lidia, includes photo with Lidia
2. VIP Cooking Demo Live TV Recording Event
3. Autographed cookbook
4. Cocktails
5. Silent Auction
6. Three-course culinary dinner experience at the Marriott Downtown Syracuse
7. One-month Digital All Access to “America’s Test Kitchen” website

The Ultimate Lidia Experience Package Pricing

The Ultimate Lidia Experience Dinner Ticket – $325 (Take 20% off now–April 23)

1. Virtual Dinner Ticket
2. In-Person Dinner Ticket

The Ultimate Lidia Experience Premium Ticket – $475 (Take 20% off now–April 23)

1. Virtual Premium Ticket
2. In-Person VIP Ticket