Last week, I had the chance to attend Giada De Laurentiis’s Super Italian book event at Book Passage in Corte Madera. There, she was interviewed by Liz Moody, the #1 wellness podcaster and author of 100 Ways to Change Your Life.
It was an evening filled with insider cooking tips, Italian lifestyle wisdom, and a refreshing perspective on slowing down and embracing La Dolce Vita—because, as Giada says, “Italian life is about savoring, not rushing.”
Here’s what I took away from this intimate and inspiring conversation:
Live La Dolce Vita—Slow Down, Savor More
For Giada, living La Dolce Vita isn’t just about food—it’s about intention. Slowing down, taking in your surroundings, and focusing on quality over quantity.
And that philosophy extends to cooking, too. Simplicity is key. Giada swears by high-quality ingredients that don’t need much fuss. Slowing down in the kitchen is also essential. Cooking isn’t just about the end result—it’s about enjoying the process.
Giada’s Game-Changing Cooking Tips
I loved hearing firsthand from Giada about her passion behind writing her 11th book, Super Italian. She says that each book represents a phase in her life and journey. This one in particular comes after a phase of not feeling her best. She suffered from debilitating sinus infections and gut problems. She wanted a book that wasn’t only about how to keep enjoying food but also about how food can support you in feeling your best in the process! Some of what’s included:
- Make Bread Crumbs, but Also Make Them Flavor-Packed: Her garlicky anchovy breadcrumbs can elevate any dish—sprinkle them on pasta, salads, or even grilled veggies.
- The Magic of Sicilian Pesto: There’s a whole section in her book dedicated to condiments because, according to Giada, great food is all about layers of flavor. Her Sicilian pesto is a must-try, and it’s also like eating a mini-salad as Liz put it.
- The Truth About Pasta: Did you know that true Italian pasta should only have two ingredients? Pastas should only have durum wheat semolina and water. That’s it! Many mass-produced pastas in the U.S. are pushed through plastic molds and filled with gums and additives, which she avoids.
In the Q&A portion of the night, she also covered some of her go-to pasta brands:
- Giadzy Pasta: Her line of artisan, bronze-die cut pasta that’s imported from Italy.
- Jovial Foods: A solid option sold at Whole Foods, especially for kids.
A food pro tip for her natural glow? Olive oil. Giada consumes about ¼ cup of olive oil a day in her meals. She also closes out a good day with her go-to DIY face scrub. It’s a mix of rice flour + olive oil for that natural, dewy glow.
Behind the Scenes: Giada’s 7 Tips on Food, Travel & Life
The best part of going to a book event with the author is that you get secrets that sometimes aren’t included in the book, but give more context to the choices of what is included. Here are some of my favorite behind the scenes tips from a night with Giada at my local books store.
Tip #1: Take Risks. Before taking a leap in starting her career on The Food Network, which launched her into food star-dom, she thought: What did I have to lose? When she first got into television, she had to take a leap of faith—seeing it as an opportunity to go for it without fear of failure. Her family wasn’t sure it’d even work out, so why should she?
Tip #2: Failures Make You Better. She believes every misstep leads to growth—whether it’s in the kitchen or in life.
Tip #3: Dry Pasta, Not Fresh Pasta, 9 times out of 10. Surprisingly, she chooses dry pasta over fresh most of the time, just like in Italy—except in Bologna, where fresh pasta reigns supreme.
Tip #4: The Best Italian Breakfast—A Cornetto. Forget eggs and bacon—the most authentic way to start your day in Italy? A cappuccino & a “Cornetto” (Italy’s version of a croissant—light, flaky, and slightly sweet!).
Tip #5: Cocktail over Vino. She prefers a straight-up tequila with fresh orange over wine any day. Shocker!
Tip #6: Dream Vacation—On a Boat! Santorini & Escia—because, as she puts it, “There’s nothing better than sleeping on a boat.”
Tip #7: She Has One Go-To Italian Restaurant Recommendation. She said most people love Dal Bolognese if you’re ever near the city center in Rome. Kids or no kids in tow—it’s always a hit.
Giada’s Best Cooking Tips (AKA: Why You’ll Want to Buy This Book!)
Most importantly, I learned my “Garlic Rule of the Year” at this event! Not included in the book, but makes you realize how real chefs know the best kept secrets. Her tip? Remove garlic once it turns golden brown in olive oil. Otherwise, it’ll overpower the dish and alter the flavor.
I also can’t wait to try some of her favorite dishes she talked about that are included in her new book:
- Garlicky Bread Crumbs—to add flavor and texture to any meal (page 47)
- Layerless Sheet-Pan Lasagna (page 135)
- Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola and Balsamic (page 174)
- The Ultimate Easter Dessert? Her Orange Olive Oil Cake (page 257)
I also loved to hear her most ordered dish at her restaurants……Lemon Spaghetti. Every. Single. Time.
Her Final Words of Advice?
In the final Q&A fire round, she shared some tips that really blew my mind.
- Cooking on a boat? Use ½ ocean water & ½ filtered water for pasta.
- Her go-to meal when her family gets together? Breaded veal with broccoli rabe.
- Her favorite spice level? Minimal. She doesn’t love too much heat in food as it takes away from the flavor.
- Best pantry staple? Dried fruit—it’s always a great snack for adults and kids.
Final Thoughts
Giada’s event wasn’t just about food—it was about a way of living. A reminder to slow down, savor the moment, and embrace simple pleasures. Her new book isn’t just a cookbook—it’s an invitation to live, cook, and eat like an Italian. And after hearing her talk, I think we could all use a little more La Dolce Vita in our lives.
Want to bring more ease and joy into your everyday life? Grab a cup of coffee (or a cocktail, if you’re channeling Giada) and tune into the latest on the MomShine Podcast—where we dive into real mom talk, slowing it down and simplifying the many conundrums that come up in mom life.