Lidia Bastianich as she autographs her cookbook for him on Feb. 27. (Photo: Mike Rizzo)
By Michael Rizzo
BAYSIDE — The sign outside Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy in Bayside simply promoted a fundraiser on Feb. 27 with celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich.
But the three-hour event turned into a fan fest with Bastianich dishing out food, recipes and her life story, while 215 attendees savored the opportunity to get close to her, ask questions and have a photo taken with her. The event raised almost $10,000 for the school.
“I like this connection. It’s human,” Bastianich said. “Today we need more humanity … Catholic schools help me raise my kids,” she added. “They provide values, spiritual values.”
She said cooking with children can do something similar…
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