Interview — Blog — Not NYC Bites

Meet Tina Zaccardi: The Woman Behind The Italian Cookie

Do you follow Tina Ziccardi Bakes, aka @theItalianCookie? Her media pages are loaded with baked deliciousness that is not only drool worthy, but is downright eye-candy perfection! Following her grand win on “The Great American Baking Show” Season 4 (Hulu), Augustina Zaccardi (Tina) became a bit of a local celebrity right here in Westchester. Her huge fan base from her hometown of Eastchester rooted her on with each baking challenge, becoming more difficult as each week passed. We all watch in amazement as contestants fly through the challenges on each food competition, but meeting with Zaccardi and listening to her describe what it is really like to be on a cooking show was enlightening. She described the experience, which filmed in England, to be competitive yet jovial and the contenders to have more comradery than might be expected in a contest pitting bakers against each other in difficult timed elimination assignments. Although they were in a heated competition, they became somewhat of a family and are still in close contact with each other today.

Westchester Restauratuers Discuss The New Norm

As Westchester restaurants remain shuttered for dining in, a growing number of those that initially closed due to uncertainty and concern over the coronavirus have reopened their doors for takeout and delivery. The restauranteurs we spoke with are keeping their operations lean, are taking all the necessary safety precautions for their staff and patrons, and are, while not making money doing this, getting back to doing in some measure what they love.