CState hosted Chef Lidia Bastianich for WCET event

Cincinnati State’s Midwest Culinary Institute welcomed over 150 guests on April 22 to a live cooking demonstration led by Chef Lidia Bastianich, host of the popular PBS cooking show “Lidia’s Kitchen.“

The visit from the Chef Lidia was a fundraiser for local PBS station WCET.

• Chef Lidia is an Emmy award-winning public television host, a successful restaurateur, and a best-selling cookbook author. Her newest book is titled A Pot, A Pan, and a Bowl.
   
• During the culinary demonstration Chef Lidia prepared chicken cacciatore and polenta, while providing culinary tips and sharing her personal story, including her family’s journey from Italy to the U.S.
   
• All guests at the event received a special take-home dessert prepared by Kate’s Catering using Chef Lidia’s recipes.

President Monica Posey welcomed campus visitors (right) and gave a brief introduction to the College.

Yvonne Baker, Dean of the Business Division, thanked everyone who made the event possible: CET and their supporters, Kate’s Catering, Norbert Thomas, Jay Zwerin, Mike Vanfleet, Peter Jula, Nola Argiro, Jackie Norton, and the College Public Safety and Facilities Departments.

(Photos provided by Yvonne Baker and Jackie Norton)

Below: Chef Lidia prepares chicken cacciatore.

Below: Chef Lidia was assisted by MCI Associates Peter Jula and Nola Argiro, who is also a student in the Culinary & Food Science bachelor’s degree program.

Below: Visitors enjoyed the experience provided in the Culinary Demonstration Theater.