The Julia Child of the Net Generation

Nadia G. is a force in the kitchen. She created and hosts the popular series Bitchin’ Kitchen on the Cooking Channel and built a career blending food, comedy, and rock ’n’ roll. Her work brought a fresh, irreverent voice to food media, first as an online series and later as a television program. In this interview she talks about what makes a kitchen “bitchin’,” how humor and music shape her cooking, and the meals she turns to for romance or a clean break.

AndrewZimmern.com: What five things does a kitchen need to make it bitchin’?

Nadia G.: A confident attitude, courage to try new things, lots of love, a sharp chef’s knife, and a great pair of heels—because cooking should be bold, fun, and unapologetic.

AZ.com: Bitchin’ Kitchen started as a Web series. Why did you create a show for the web, and how did it make the jump to television?

NG: I love three things—food, comedy, and rock ’n’ roll—and the web gave me the freedom to combine them without compromise. We launched short webisodes in 2007 and audiences responded right away. The online popularity proved the concept and opened doors to broadcasters. In October 2010 the show premiered on the Cooking Channel, making it one of the early success stories of a digital series moving to network TV.

AZ.com: You show great recipes and make people laugh. How does humor relate to cooking?

NG: For me, they’re inseparable. I grew up in a loud, food-focused Italian family where the best conversations and the biggest laughs happened around the table. On the show we pick a juicy topic, riff on it, laugh a lot, and cook a meal that fits the mood. Humor breaks down barriers, makes food more approachable, and keeps the kitchen lively.

AZ.com: With a spatula shaped like a guitar, you must be rocking in the kitchen. What music do you play while you cook?

NG: I mix it up depending on the day. Favorites include The Kills, Santigold, La Roux, classic Guns N’ Roses, and Italian folk music. Music sets the tone—sometimes energetic and edgy, sometimes warm and nostalgic.

AZ.com: Your favorite Italian phrase?

NG: TSAKETA! (tsack-et-tah). It’s my take on the classic chef’s catchphrase—think “BAM” or “Yumm-O”—but it’s more Bitchin’.

AZ.com: What’s your go-to meal to impress a love interest? And what do you make if you never want to see them again?

NG: For impressing someone, don’t overdo it. A modest, well-executed dish is better than an exhausting multi-course extravaganza. I’d pick my Sirloin Shepherd’s Pie—hearty, satisfying, and uncomplicated. It says you’re thoughtful without trying too hard. For a break-up meal, keep it casual and light: a good burger and a salad. It’s friendly, easy to share, and it gets them out of your house without drama.

AZ.com: Any cooking “nadvice” for AndrewZimmern.com readers?

NG: Don’t be afraid to get messy, experiment, and have fun. Cooking shouldn’t be intimidating. As the old Italian joke goes: “It ain’t rocket surgery.” Enjoy the process and trust your instincts.

AZ.com: What’s in your fridge right now?

NG: Fresh groceries. Right now I’ve got baby arugula, mahi-mahi fillets marinating in garlic, soy, ginger, and maple syrup, lots of fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, Parmigiano, organic Greek yogurt, blueberries, and a bottle of bubbly. The fridge tends to reflect whatever I’m planning to cook and whatever I’m craving.

Nadia Giosia’s passion for food grew from a Montreal childhood in a lively Italian family of cooks and caterers who believed in the power of home-style cooking. Self-taught and proud of her DIY roots, she says the best meals are often simple and rooted in tradition. Her grandmother’s cooking, she insists, could go head-to-head with any fine-dining chef.

Nadia is the creator and host of the Cooking Channel series Bitchin’ Kitchen. The project began as short mobile episodes in 2007 and evolved into a television program following strong online success. The show premiered on Food Network Canada and later made its American primetime debut on the Cooking Channel in 2010, marking one of the early examples of an online lifestyle series transitioning to mainstream television.

Nadia is also the author of the bestselling The Bitchin’ Kitchen Cookbook: Rock Your Kitchen and Let the Boys Clean Up the Mess. She has received recognition for her digital work, including awards for emerging digital brands and mobile comedy.