Joseph Bastianich has been immersed in the culinary world all of his life. He is the son of Lidia Bastianich, owner of the New York Times three-star Felidia Ristorante, and has spent much of his time performing different jobs and learning the nuances of running a fine restaurant. Joseph has traveled extensively to Italy with his family, always spending time with renowned chefs and wine producers. He also spent a year in Italy, working with restaurants to supplement his knowledge of Italian food and wine before returning to his true calling - the family business - in 1993, when he opened Becco, in Manhattan's Theater District.

Joseph graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy. Before entering the restaurant business, he worked for two years at Merrill Lynch. In 1992, Joseph began to search for a site to open a new restaurant with his mother, Lidia. He found a townhouse on Restaurant Row, renovated the location, and in 1993, opened Becco, where diners are offered authentic, hearty portions of regional Italian fare in a country setting at everyday, affordable prices. In 1995, Joseph opened a second restaurant in the Theater District called Frico Bar, which was styled as a comfortable trattoria featuring the cuisine of the Tre Venezia region of northern Italy. Frico Bar was closed and re-opened by Bastianich and partners Mario Batali and David Pasternack in April 2000 as Esca, a southern Italian seafood restaurant featuring a raw bar and an all-Italian wine list. Bastianich has also partnered with Batali at Babbo, opened in June of 1998 in the landmark Coach House space in Greenwich Village.

In October 1998, Joseph opened Lidia's in Kansas City, MO, with managing partner David Wagner. The restaurant, which was recently joined by another branch in Pittsburgh, PA and will continue to expand into other mid-sized US cities, combines the cuisines of both Felidia and Becco restaurants.

Mario Batali and Joe bring their award-winning Italian restaurant expertise to Las Vegas. Now open for business, B&B Ristorante e Enoteca in the beautiful Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino, features a blend of exquisite Italian food and a casual elegance that captures the soul of an Italian grandmother dancing the tango with pop rock hipsters.

For more information and locations of all the Batali brand restaurants click here.

In October 1999, Bastianich, Mario Batali and Jason Denton opened Lupa. That same month, Bastianich, Batali and Sergio Esposito opened Italian Wine Merchants, an all-Italian wine shop in Union Square.

Joseph has co-authored a book about Italian wine, entitled "Vino Italiano" (Clarkson Potter) with journalist David Lynch. It is scheduled for a Fall 2001 release.