Celebrity chef and restaurateurLidia Bastianichhas been a presence on public television for the past 23 years.
While their marriage did not last, their passion for food remained the cornerstone of their existence.
Much is known about Lidia, her children and mother, who regularly appeared on her PBS series.
However not a lot has been written about Felice.
Where did Lidia and Felice meet?
Lidia was born in the city of Pola.
He was one of three siblings.
They dated for three years before tying the knot.
What were Felice and Lidia’s early days in the restaurant business like?
“We developed our offerings by copying the menus of some of the best Italian restaurants in New York.
Then we went out and hired the best Italian-American chef we could find,” she continued.
She would later use this experience as the host of her own long-running PBS series.
This idea came after the death of Lidia’s father Vittorio Matticchio.
They couple opened Felidia, a combination of their two first names, in 1981.
Lidia began to take her place in the spotlight while Felice stayed in the background.
Felice would pass away in 2010.
An obituary published inThe New York Timessaid that Felice died on December 12, 2010.
It called him a loving grandfather of Olivia, Lorenzo, Miles, Ethan, and Julia.
The obit said Felice was a devoted brother to Yolanda Valic and Guerino Bastianich.
Lidia would continue to grow their legacy and include members of her own family in the business.
Tanya’s husband, Corrado Manuali is the restaurant group’s chief legal counsel.
She’s also involved in the day-to-day running of the family’s restaurant empire.
Together they worked diligently to make that a reality.
Lidia continues to surround herself with her most precious treasure, the family she and Felice created.
