Giada De Laurentiis’ popup at Il Buco Vita is the talk of the town. Here, the acclaimed chef, author and Giadzy founder reveals her inspirations, local loves and plans for the future.
Zimmermann Natura dress; Shy Creation cuff; Kevork Khatcherian earrings.
What sparked the idea to pop up in the Hamptons? I’ve been going to the Hamptons forever and have always wanted to do something out there. To me, it felt like a natural fit with Giadzy (giadzy.com) because I do so much alfresco entertaining when I’m there. It’s all about gathering around a table together and relaxing, so I’m excited to do just that with Giadzy and Il Buco.
What are some of your favorite places to dine when in the Hamptons? Of course, I love Il Buco. I also love Hampton Chutney Co. (I love the salads and wraps for picnics on the beach with [my daughter] Jade). The Clam Bar is awesome. We walk there weekly when I go for longer periods of time. It’s such an iconic spot.
Bostwick’s Chowder House; Jack’s Coffee for coffee; Pierre’s has great seafood; and Tutto il Giorno is a forever favorite.
Are there any other farm stands, gourmet provisions or epicurean spots you would like to visit in the Hamptons? There are so many amazing farm stands. That’s one of the reasons I love the Hamptons; it’s so unique to a beach town. Balsam Farms has the best corn. They roast the corn fresh every morning. I love the U-pick strawberries and flowers at Hank’s in SH. Green Thumb in Water Mill is amazing for organic produce and herb plants. Halsey is a fave for their amazing haricot verts, huge selection of greens and lettuces, and colorful varieties of carrots and cauliflower... and everyone is SO kind there.
Altuzarra Corfu dress; Shy Creation cuff; Kevork Khatcherian earrings,
"I am most proud when people share that I even played a small role in teaching them how to cook Italian food and enjoy la dolce vita."–GIADA DE LAURENTIIS
What is your favorite summer treat when at the beach? Frozen lemonade! Lemon, lemon, lemon!
You have your hands in everything from cookbooks and television to restaurants and food! What are you working on these days? Aside from opening Luna, I’ve been pouring a lot of my energy into Giadzy. The entrepreneurial journey truly is a full-time role. I’ve been soaking up all the knowledge and learning as much as I can. I have a great team who supports me, and we have a lot on the road map for this year. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the strides we have been making, and we have a lot more in the works.
What should readers know about the newly launched Giadzy VIP membership program? It is something I’ve been ideating for quite some time. It’s an experiential way to access the Italian culture I’ve shared with fans for years. We have livestreams with me and people in my circle, travel guides for cities all over Italy, exclusive content, products and recipes. We’re producing quite a bit—for me, it would be the equivalent of putting out a new cookbook every few months, but I can do it in a way that feels timely and true to what I’m inspired by at that moment. It’s really special!
Cinq à Sept dress; Shy Creation cuff; Kevork Khatcherian earrings.
What’s a typical day like for you? Every day looks totally different, honestly. I will say my favorite days are the days I get to cook with my family and enjoy time at home with my daughter and pets.
With so much going on, how do you stay centered? I swear by my morning yoga. I try to practice at least four times a week. It’s something that I’ve learned to prioritize. I love starting my day with movement.
What inspires you these days? I’m inspired by all of the creativity in the space. I love seeing how innovative so many of my peers are, and I am constantly inspired to grow and try new things. Opening a new restaurant pushes me to constantly think outside of the box. I want to give everyone who dines in my restaurant a unique experience, which also drives me.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments? I think my biggest career accomplishment is helping people learn how to cook Italian food at home. I am most proud when people share that I even played a small role in teaching them how to cook Italian food and enjoy la dolce vita. Inspiring people is the truest career accomplishment. [On a personal level], my daughter really is my pride and joy. Being her mom has been my greatest accomplishment, and I love seeing her become such an amazing young lady.
What else are you curious about learning? I want to learn to speak Japanese and visit Japan. I have been obsessed for years and it is the place I want to go most! I have promised myself to get there in the next year.
What do you cook for yourself and your family at home? I try to keep it pretty simple: lots of pastas all the time—ha. Jade is obsessed with all of my pastas and crispy salmon. Oh, and my chocolate chip cookies, of course.
Who do you count as your biggest influences? Family. My grandfather is the reason I’m in the U.S. at all, and he was the first one to inspire me in the kitchen. Honestly, my family is my No. 1 inspiration for everything I do. Any favorite cook books, besides your own? My all-time favorite is The Silver Palate Cookbook. [It] kicked off my obsession with cookbooks. Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child and The Zuni Café Cookbook are two of my other favorites.
What can we expect next from you and your brands? I’ve been busy! We have some really incredible products in the works for Giadzy this year—one of them in a completely new space for us, which is exciting! I’m working on a cookbook that will be released early next year (I just finished the shoot) and developing new concepts for future restaurants and new TV shows.
Do you have any upcoming trips planned? I have a few more trips to Italy this summer, some for work and some for pleasure. I’ll share them all on Instagram, and best of all, I’ll be writing guides on Giadzy so you can go on all the same trips! Lastly, what do you love most about what you do? I love that I get to connect with people over the one great equalizer: food. I feel so lucky that my career is to educate people about cooking and enjoying Italian food. It’s a true honor.
Styled by: Brendan Cannon
Production: Ray Brown Represents
Fashion Assistants: Winnie Noan, Dazani Price, Kayla Guerrero and Charlotte Van Ingen
Photography by: John Russo
