The Recipe for Giada de Laurentiis’ Growing Culinary Empire
The celebrated chef and entrepreneur shares her Italian heritage through her television shows, restaurants, cruise partnerships and an exclusive line of curated products
October 31, 2024

Giada De Laurentiis / Photo: Corina Marie
Giada De Laurentiis believes there’s something magical about Italian food, a kind of enchantment that goes beyond just the ingredients. For her, food is a language, a way to connect with others, not as a chef towering over a stove, but as a friend sitting across the table. “I never said, I, I said, we, when it came to cooking for others,” De Laurentiis explains. “We are doing this. Let’s make this dish together. Let’s do this journey together.” This inclusive spirit is woven into every meal she creates, inviting others to join in the experience. “Italians are about bringing people into our group,” she says. “You can belong here. We want you to belong here. And we do it usually through our food.”

Giada De Laurentiis in Rome / Photo: Aubrie Pick
In Italy, you’re always encouraged to savor just one more taste of a dish made with love. “Where have you ever been in Italy where they were like, ‘No, you’re done eating’? Never. They always want you to eat more,” De Laurentiis says.
Today, the name Giada De Laurentiis is synonymous with Italian cuisine in America. From her Daytime Emmy Award-winning Food Network shows to her bestselling cookbooks, she has captured the hearts and kitchens of millions. But beyond the lights of the camera, the celebrity chef is also a savvy entrepreneur, building a multifaceted business empire that extends far beyond her famous lemon spaghetti.
Born From Family Traditions

Original Lemon Spaghetti: Giada’s first signature dish and the top seller at her restaurant, this take on a Capri classic is given a zesty flair with fresh lemon juice / Photo: Elizabeth Newman
De Laurentiis’ love for Italian food was cultivated at an early age, deeply rooted in the traditions of her family, who included film producer Dino De Laurentiis. “My grandfather’s family had a pasta factory in Naples,” she says. “He was very proud of his heritage and where he came from.”
This connection not only shaped her culinary style but also laid the foundation for what would become her life’s work. De Laurentiis’ approach to food has always been about simplicity, authenticity and honoring the culinary traditions of Italy.
Becoming Giada

Pronto by Giada restaurant, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas / Photo: Aubrie Pick
De Laurentiis’ rise to fame began with her show Everyday Italian, which introduced viewers to her approachable and delicious take on Italian cuisine. Over the years, she expanded her presence with Giada at Home, Giada in Italy and Giada Entertains.
However, De Laurentiis’ ambitions stretched beyond television. In 2014, she opened an eponymous restaurant in Las Vegas, a venture that marked her entry into the competitive world of hospitality. “Opening my first restaurant was a giant learning curve,” she admits.
Following that success, she opened Pronto by Giada, a quick-service eatery also in Las Vegas, and more recently, Luna by Giada in Scottsdale, Arizona. Each of these restaurants reflects her commitment to quality and her deep connection to Italian culinary traditions. “Scottsdale has been phenomenal,” she says.
The Birth of Giadzy

Signed by Giada, this lavishly illustrated book is a tribute to her heritage, featuring recipes and insights about fine Italian cuisine / Photo: Courtesy of Giadzy
In 2017, De Laurentiis launched Giadzy, a lifestyle and e-commerce platform that brings the best of Italy to American homes. The site is a natural extension of her brand, offering curated Italian pantry products and lifestyle content. “I’ve always been passionate about teaching people about Italian culture and food,” she says. “Giadzy allows me to do that on a larger scale.”
Giadzy features a wide range of products, from traditional pastas made in Abruzzo to gluten-free options crafted in Italy’s Alto Adige region. “Our pasta is made using the finest ingredients and ancient artisan techniques,” she says. “It’s all about preserving the integrity of the food and ensuring that every meal is exceptionally flavorful.”
Among these offerings is a private-label olive oil, made with the same attention to detail and quality that De Laurentiis applies to all her endeavors. “It’s just about telling people, Look, you can eat all these things, and we do in Italy. We just are a little more careful about the ingredients in the food,” she explains. Priced to reflect the premium quality of its ingredients, this olive oil, along with her pasta and spices, captures the essence of Italian tradition. “In Italy, we value the quality of our ingredients above all else,” she says.
Despite her success, De Laurentiis is candid about the challenges she has faced in building her brand. “I didn’t go to business school, so it’s been a crash course in learning how to run a business,” she admits. “Raising money, dealing with venture capital, and navigating the complexities of importing Italian goods have all been significant challenges.”
De Laurentiis also has big plans for the future of her brand. She is focused on expanding Giadzy’s offerings and moving into retail, an action she once hesitated to make. “I wanted to make sure that the products we put on the market were perfect,” she explains. “Now that we’ve received feedback and made the necessary tweaks, I feel confident in taking that next step.”

Double Chocolate Panettone: This divine holiday sweet from Olivieri 1882 replaces the traditional dried and candied fruits with dark and milk chocolate. Packaged in a custom-designed box / Photo: Courtesy of Giadzy
The holiday season is a particularly exciting time for Giadzy, with a variety of giftable kits and seasonal products on offer. “We’ve got some amazing kits, like our sheet-pan lasagna and panettone pairing kits,” De Laurentiis says. “These products are a way for people to experience an Italian holiday at home, and I’m thrilled to share them with our customers.”
Sailing Into New Waters
De Laurentiis continues to explore new opportunities in the hospitality industry. Her recent partnership with Oceania Cruises, for example, allows her to bring her culinary expertise to a new audience, representing her commitment to providing unique, high-quality experiences. Although she admits that cruises were never initially her “thing,” her perspective shifted dramatically after spending time with the Oceania family and experiencing their dedication to excellence firsthand.
She was particularly impressed with how the cruise line integrates local ingredients into its culinary offerings, ensuring each meal reflects the authenticity of the region. “When we went from Rome down to Malta to Sardinia, Corsica and back to Naples, I remember them sourcing mozzarella straight from Naples from these small producers I have actually worked with,” she recalls. This attention to detail ultimately convinced her to partner with the luxury cruise line.

Lamb Osso Buco: Ideal for the holidays, this cold-weather crowd-pleaser from Lombardy substitutes lamb for the traditional veal / Photo: Aubrie Pick
De Laurentiis has not only developed exclusive dishes for Oceania’s guests but also curated travel itineraries that highlight the culinary treasures of various regions. “I realized I could expand my brand to another group of people that I maybe wasn’t going to be able to tap into otherwise,” she says.
A Delicate Balance
Her ability to evolve is one of the reasons for her success. She has managed to stay relevant in an ever changing industry by staying true to her roots while also embracing new trends and technologies. “Every chapter is just a chapter,” she reflects. “I’ve learned not to take everything so seriously and to approach each new challenge with a sense of curiosity and openness.”

Filming Giada Entertains for the Food Network / Photo: Courtesy of the Food Network
As one of the few women to break into the upper echelons of the food world, she has had to navigate a landscape often dominated by men. “Being a woman in this business is sometimes complicated,” De Laurentiis reflects. “I often feel like I have to really hold my ground. But I’ve learned to trust my decisions and believe in myself, even when doubt creeps in.”
De Laurentiis has come a long way from her early days in the kitchen with her grandfather. Today, she is not only a culinary star but also a successful entrepreneur with a thriving business portfolio. Through her television shows, restaurants and Giadzy, she continues to share her love of Italian food with the world, inspiring others to embrace the beauty of simple, authentic ingredients combined to create something extraordinary.
“Our roots, culture, food, language, traditions—that was instilled in me at a very young age. I found my power in the kitchen. That’s where I had a voice. And I still do.”