The Saratogian - Celebrity chef, best-selling author and successful restaurateur Lidia Bastianich will highlight the 2010 Saratoga Wine & Food and Fall Ferrari Festival presented by the Italian Trade Commission Sept. 10 though 12.

Bastianich joins world-class Italian auto designer Andrea Zagato and presenting sponsor, the Italian Trade Commission, in headlining the festival, a series of events over three days celebrating Italy’s excellence in wine, food and automobiles. Proceeds will benefit Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s educational programs.

The highlight of the festival — the Grand Tasting and Ferrari Concours on Saturday, Sept. 11 — will feature hundreds of fine Italian and international wines, delicacies from

Asbury Park Press - Asbury Park, NJ, USA - Debbie Kirsch is home from work and cooking. It's the middle of the week, it's a nothing-special night — no anniversary, no birthday, no final episode of "The Sopranos" to fete — but she's making it special by trying a recipe from one of her favorite cookbook authors, Lidia Bastianich.

Debbie, who lives in Manalapan, met the celebrated chef and author in April, when she stopped by Barnes & Noble in Freehold Township to sign copies of her just-out cookbook, "Lidia's Italy" (Alfred A. Knopf; $35). Debbie already was quite familiar with Lidia's cuisine: "She's really special. I don't watch much