Joe Bastianich

Beginning with almost Dickensian roots, working in his parents Italian restaurant in Queens, washing dishes, cleaning the sidewalk, and touring the jungle-like meat markets of the Bronx, Joe Bastianich's life charts a culinary adventure that ends with this nice Italian boy becoming one of America's premier restaurateurs - as well as a noted author, reality television personality, and eventually, a triathlete. After studying finance and spending a year on Wall Street, Joe bought a one-way ticket to Italy and explored the country's small corners, keeping food and wine a top priority. He came back to New York and opened Becco with his mother, Lidia Bastianich, and then partnered with Mario Batali to open Babbo, which garnered three coveted stars from The New York Times and the prestigious Best New Restaurant in America award from the James Beard Foundation-indeed, the prophetic beginning of their thriving collection of restaurants. In 2005 he was recognized as an Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional by both the James Beard Foundation and Bon Appétit, and in 2008 both he and Mario were awarded the 2008 James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Restaurateur Award. He has co-authored two award winning books on Italian wine, and in its first week of release in May of 2012, Joe's highly anticipated memoir, Restaurant Man, became a New York Times Best Seller. In 2010, Joe, Lidia, and Mario teamed up with Italian retail pioneer Oscar Farinetti to bring Eataly, the world's largest Italian artisanal marketplace, to New York.