Lunch with Chef Lidia Bastianich for A Great Cause

Have you always wanted to meet the culinary legend, Lidia Bastianich? Well now is your chance.

The Westport Young Woman’s League is pleased to announce that it will be hosting their Grants Awards Luncheon featuring celebrity chef and guest speaker, Lidia Bastianich. The fundraiser luncheon will be held on April 29, 2024, from 11:30 am – 2:30pm at the beautiful Branson Hall at Christ & Holy Trinity Church, 75 Church Lane in Westport, CT. Bonus! The event will be catered by one of our favorite caterers, Marcia Selden Catering. Get your ticket here.

Lidia Bastianich is an Emmy award-winning public television host, best-selling cookbook author, successful restaurateur and the owner of a flourishing food and entertainment business. She has published numerous cookbooks in addition to hosting her Emmy-winning television series Lidia’s Kitchen, Lidia’s Italy in America, and Lidia’s Italy.  Among the numerous awards and accolades, Lidia has earned seven James Beard Awards and two Emmy Awards. In 2022, Lidia received the Silver Award from APT for 25 years on Public Television. 

“It is my pleasure to join The Westport Young Woman’s League for their Grants Lunch gala. I recall being a young immigrant to the United States and how our caring neighbors and local organizations gave my family support and advice while starting our new life. I know firsthand the impact of such generosity and the power of community in cultivating a successful future.  It is my pleasure to be part of such a wonderful cause! said Lidia Bastianich.

The luncheon event is a new fundraiser of the WYWL, a nonprofit philanthropic organization based in Westport, CT since 1956 that also hosts the popular Minute Man Road Race and CraftWestport, their longstanding Westport-based fundraisers that support their community grants program.

“The luncheon promises to be a special curated culinary experience featuring select recipes from Lidia Bastianich herself. Guests will enjoy what we are calling ‘an elegant rustic lunch in Tuscany - Westport-style’ as we raise our glasses to celebrate the work of our wonderful 2024 Grants Award recipients,” said Julianne Bochinski, Grants Director for the WYWL.

The lunch will begin with a one-hour reception for VIP ticket holders, who will get to chat with Lidia Bastianich, take photos, receive a personalized autographed copy of Lidia’s latest book, “Lidia’s From Our Family Table to Yours,” and enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by lunch in the main hall. General Admission ticket holders will enjoy lunch in the main hall featuring Lidia as guest speaker and will be eligible to purchase and receive a personalized autographed copy of Lidia’s book.

In addition, all guests will receive an Italian cuisine themed gift from Cuisinart and are invited to purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win a Cuisinart® Custom 14-cup food processor that is currently the #1 Cuisinart® top selling food processor and ideal for making homemade pizza andpasta dough, pesto, sauce, shredding cheese, and more. 

VIP Tickets are available for purchase at $300 each and General Admission Tickets are $175 each. Event information & ticket purchase link here.