Stanley Tucci explores Italian cuisine in Nat Geo's new series

Express Tribune

19-05-2025

Stanley Tucci is back with a new five-part series, Tucci in Italy, premiering May 18 on National Geographic and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
The series takes viewers on a culinary journey through Italy, showcasing the country's rich and diverse food culture, one dish at a time.
Tucci, an Oscar-nominated actor and passionate home cook, guides audiences through Italy's varied regional cuisines, emphasizing the historical and cultural influences behind each dish. Unlike his previous show, Searching for Italy, this series offers a slower, more in-depth exploration of food and stories, blending National Geographic's signature approach with Tucci's warm storytelling style.
The series highlights how Italy's geography and history shape its food. For instance, dishes from Trentino-Alto Adige reflect Austrian influences, while in Calvisano, Tucci indulges in farm-raised sturgeon caviar. Throughout the series, Tucci introduces viewers to lesser-known Italian specialties, such as Florence's traditional lampredotto, a street food made from cow's stomach.
Tucci credits his childhood experiences in Florence and his mother's cooking for his love of Italian food. He aims to elevate the understanding of Italian cuisine beyond the typical pasta and pizza, showing its complexity and regional diversity.
As an executive producer and host, Tucci focuses the series on the food and the people behind it rather than himself, aiming to inspire viewers to appreciate Italy's culinary heritage and culture.