Giada De Laurentiis Says She Was ‘So Shy’ When “Everyday Italian” Began: ‘I Was Scared Out of My Mind’

Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis recently took to Instagram to share the story of her humble beginnings before becoming a Food Network star. In a video posted on July 15, the culinary icon revealed that she was initially very shy when she started her show ‘Everyday Italian.’ De Laurentiis reminisced about her journey to fame, recalling a pivotal moment 24 years ago when she was working as a private chef and was featured in Food & Wine magazine. The article showcased her family recipes in a special issue, which caught the attention of a Food Network executive.

After the magazine feature, De Laurentiis received a call from Bob Tuschman, the Food Network executive, who requested a demo tape from her. It took her about six months to gather the courage to send in the tape as she was nervous and unsure about the Food Network. Eventually, with the help of her brother, she put together a demo reel showcasing her cooking skills, which led to the creation of her show ‘Everyday Italian.’ Despite her initial struggles and shyness, De Laurentiis persisted and went on to host the show for seven successful years.

The celebrity chef candidly admitted that the first season of ‘Everyday Italian’ was challenging for her, describing it as “terrible.” She confessed to feeling incredibly shy and uncomfortable, even losing weight due to the stress and fear she experienced. However, with determination and practice, she gradually improved and found her confidence, leading to a successful career on the Food Network. The show premiered in 2003 and continued for 12 seasons, solidifying De Laurentiis’ reputation as a household name in the culinary world.

Following her departure from the Food Network in 2023, Giada De Laurentiis has shifted her focus to building her lifestyle brand, Giadzy, and releasing a new cookbook titled ‘Super-Italian.’ Embracing this new chapter in her career, she acknowledged the steep learning curve of entrepreneurship and expressed her excitement for continuous growth and learning opportunities. Additionally, she recently returned to television with the show ‘Giada in My Kitchen,’ where she surprises families with dream kitchen makeovers alongside designer Erick Garcia.

De Laurentiis’ story serves as an inspiring reminder of the resilience and determination required to succeed in the competitive world of celebrity chefs. From her initial nerves and insecurities to her eventual triumph as a renowned culinary figure, she has shown that with perseverance and passion, anything is possible. As she continues to explore new ventures and projects, Giada De Laurentiis remains a beloved figure in the food industry, captivating audiences with her talent, creativity, and engaging personality.