A quick stroller ride from the Flatiron building lives a New York toddler who can really mange. Luca, the two-year-old son of one of New York City's most celebrated American-Italian chefs, Stefano Secchi from Rezdôra, has become one of the Big Apple's youngest and most famous Italian foodies.
Back by popular demand, this Sunday, Chef Stefano Secchi and Luca will launch the second season of “Lessons with Luca,” an adorable father-son Italian food cooking show that became a quarantine hit when it debuted last spring on Instagram.
Chef Stefano Secchi, wife Lauren, and son Luca launch the second season of the father-son Italian cooking show, “Lessons with Luca,” this weekend. Credit: Trevor Brenden
Secchi, who once worked under Massimo Bottura and other chefs in Emilia-Romagna, says this season will continue to celebrate traditional Italian cooking from several regions in Italy.
“Massimo and I talk about this a lot and with our cooks: you have to understand the basis of the food and how the cuisine started,” he says. “We can't lose sight of that. It's one of the most important things for me. Once you make the traditional Italian recipes, then you can evolve them.”
During the 10-episode series, which airs on IGTV, the toddler twirls tagliolini coated in ragù bianco. He falls in love with branzino to the great surprise of his parents, and nibbles on a gluten-free chocolate torte flavored with coffee grounds and drizzled with balsamic vinegar from Modena.
The episodes were filmed in Secchi’s home kitchen and at the Union Square Farmer’s market right after nap time. The show is not only about teaching families how to cook, but proving how Italian recipes can really hit the spot and satisfy, even for those who are still in their terrible twos.
“The great equalizer is food. When my toddler is in a bad mood—parents know a lot about this—if we give him something he loves, his mood flips 180,” Secchi says.
Chef Stefano Secchi teaching son Luca about Italian food on the series “Lessons with Luca.” Credit: Trevor Brenden
This time around, Luca has mastered a few life lessons. He now eats with a fork and knife, speaks in complete sentences in two languages, and rolls pasta on his own.
“Lessons with Luca” Season 2 starts April 11 on IGTV with Stefano Secchi.