Wine expert, international restaurateur and television host, culinary show judge and reality show star: Joe Bastianich is all of the above and more, including triathlete, author and frustrated rock guitarist/song writer!

That he should have made a career in the restaurant world is no surprise. If ever there was somebody predestined to be a restaurateur it was Bastianich. Son of Lidia (one of the USA’s most recognisable food broadcasters and restaurant owners) and Felice Bastianich, he grew up working in his parents much loved New York restaurant, first at Buonavia in Queens, and later at Felidia in Manhattan – starting off as a washer-upper and general kitchen hand – before carving his own career in the competitive New York City restaurant world, eventually expanding his empire with various business partners throughout the USA and overseas, including Singapore and Hong Kong.

However, it is Orsone, a bed & breakfast, restaurant and tavern opened with his mother Lidia, on the grounds of the Bastianich family winery in Friuli, Italy, that he considers to be on his dream site.

Among his many other businesses are the acclaimed and award-winning New York restaurant Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, opened with chef Mario Batali in 1998, and the innovative Italian artisan superstore Eataly. This combines high-quality Italian produce outlets alongside restaurants and cafés under one roof and was co-launched in 2010 in the USA by Bastianich with his mother, Batali and Italian retail pioneer Oscar Farinetti.

Although not a chef by trade, Bastianich can grill a mean steak for family and friends, or cook authentic Italian dishes gleaned from his mother. ‘I practically stole her jota [pronounced yoh-tah] recipe – an old farmhouse-style stew with pork and beans.’ Lidia also taught him to always have extra virgin olive oil in the store cupboard, ‘of course!’, but his love of singing and guitar playing is all his own. His most treasured possession is a Tobacco sunburst super jumbo guitar, which he plays in his band, The Ramps.

Bastianich’s kitchen is always alive with ‘the buzz of family’ – his wife, Deanna, and their three children – and, naturally, when he’s cooking there’s music playing: ‘something high energy. My favourites are Led Zeppelin, the Grateful Dead and the Foo Fighters!’

Secret Food Haunt

La Frasca, a restaurant in Lauzacco near Udine, in the Friuli region of north-east Italy. Owned by Valter Scarbolo, it showcases the local artisan produce and wine of the region. Home-made salumis are a speciality.