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The Daily Dish Top Chef

This Is the First Thing Giada De Laurentiis Eats Wherever She Travels

Her international cravings are highly relatable.

By Alesandra Dubin

Turns out Giada De Laurentiis is one star who’s just like us! We caught up with the chef at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where she was serving tasting portions of rich risotto out of massive parmesan wheels to a thick poolside crowd. The occasion? The buzzy grand tasting event as part of Bon Appetit’s 10th annual Vegas Uncork’d culinary bash.

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There, we asked her what’s the absolute first thing she wants to eat whenever she lands in a new destination around the world. “Well, it depends on where I’m traveling to,” she told Jet Set. “So for instance, when I go to Rome, the first thing I do is a pizza bianca with mortadella. In Paris, it’s a chocolate croissant.”

Overall, her most favorite go-to food when traveling? “Most of the time, it’s a pastry, to be honest.” Ding ding ding! We can totally relate to the international sweet tooth. 

“The first thing I want is sugar when I land,” she said.

Much as she loves sweets wherever she roams, Giada said the best meal she’s had anywhere is… well, naturally, it’s something close to her heart. “The best meal I’ve ever had in the whole world must be… in Las Vegas! Lemon spaghetti at Giada.”

She’s referring to her first-ever restaurant, the eponymous eatery at the Cromwell, where diners can eat indoors or on the patio — with classic Vegas views of the Bellagio fountains and Caesars.

On le menu is Italian cuisine with Californian influences. In addition to lemon spaghetti — the chef’s very favorite — Giada serves up the likes of chicken cacciatore, marsala herb chicken meatballs, and vegetable Bolognese rigatoni. 

Originally published May 2, 2016

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