Lidia Bastianich Quotes

I call it soul food, and I call it compassion food because it kind of bonds loved ones together. It kept families together for a long time.

Cooking is an important part of a good, stable family life. I like to get the family together; there's a huge nurturing element in it.

Eating well, being around the table with the family or friends or relatives - it doesn't get any better.

Food strengthens my family bond while it nourishes my body.

When you come from a big family, you see that, growing up, you're learning how to share. Your sisters have got your back; you're not alone in this - 'We all support you!' Your family provides that; it gives you a sense of safety, and it's a very grounding feeling.

In Italy, food is an expression of love. It is how you show those around you that you care for them. Having a love for food means you also have a love for those you are preparing it for and for yourself.

Food, to me, is always about cooking and eating with those you love and care for.

My sisters like cooking at my place. It has a bit more room, and the food tastes a little bit better. A big pot of spaghetti and sauce, some warm French bread - works all the time. I think I've been eating pasta for 26 years.

My mother was the center of the family.

My mother has always been the social glue holding the family together.

Food is so important - it sustains us, it provides a social focal point, and it is fun. I cannot unravel the difference between love in my family and the preparation of food because they are so closely woven.

I have many memories of waking up to eat breakfast that my mother carefully prepared for us and her saying, what do y'all want for lunch, and as we're eating lunch, what do y'all want for dinner? It's always about the next meal.

I quite enjoy cooking. I love cooking for my friends. It's communal, it reminds me of being with family, and it's also a form of therapy; it heals you from the inside out.

My friends ask me why I still live with my family, but I feel comfortable there. We've all been through so much together.

The family is the corner-stone of society

When she cannot reach her own boys, many a mother gets great satisfaction by cooking extra food and having boys who are on leave, or boys from the camps, come to her for Sunday dinner. The churches are one of the many organizations in every community working along these lines.

People want to know how we do it as moms. I want to inspire moms to get back in the kitchen. I want to show moms that not only is it great to have your kids eat healthy foods as opposed to McDonald's, but it's great to bring the family back together.

Meals and eating and that sort of ritual of gathering at a table is such a part of childhood, and that was such a strange moment. It made me nervous to watch my mom cook for us and then not engage in the act of eating with us.

My parents are nice people, and they also made a point to have dinner as a family every night.

I think I grew up with the idea that there was something comforting about preparing food.

My mom is my great supporter. It's always nice to have her around. She can cook. It's nice to have some home-cooked food sometimes.

Cooking is the best occupational therapy for me. And when I cook, everybody comes to eat. It's the greatest thing.

One of my dad's biggest passions is cooking, so we always had good food at home.

I'm from South Georgia, so my mom, she always cooked some dang good food when I was growing up.

Food is a common denominator for all people.