The 90-Year-Old Italian Grandma Running an Iconic NYC Restaurant | Bon Appétit

Today, Bon Appétit spends the day with Nonna Maria, one of the resident grandma chefs at Enoteca Maria on Staten Island. At 90 years old, Maria has been cooking Italian food longer than most bringing a lifetime of experience and flavor to her dishes. “Enoteca Maria is a place where we invite grandmothers from all over the world in to cook their traditional dishes. Nonna Maria has been working here for about 10 years now, and she lights up the place as soon as she walks in the door. She’s 90 years old and runs around like she’s 16.”

Director: Gunsel Pehlivan
Director of Photography: Luke Riffle
Editor: Misa Qu
Featuring: Maria Gialanella
Director of Culinary Production: Kelly Janke
Creative Producer: Parisa Kosari
Coordinating Producer: Tommy Werner
Line Producer: Joe Buscemi
Associate Producer: Oadhan Lynch
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Camera Operator: Carlos Araujo
Assistant Camera: Tony Aviles
Sound Recordist: Lily Van Leewen
Staff Editorial Consultant: Ryan Harrington
Culinary Researcher & Recipe Editor: Vivian Jao
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araujo
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds
Filmed on Location at: Enoteca Maria




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[estefanymendoza]

What a bright and beautiful personality she has

[TheJoStephan]

Wow. 90! Most people never even reach that age. It’s her beautiful pure soul that kept her out of negativity and living a long healthy life! So precious!

[Chaddingway]

How lucky must her family be. Two whole generations of eating like royalty.

[pauljakeman]

Protect this lady at all costs!
I’d love a grandma or mother in law like her.

[BigDeeDee]

She is so adorable but yet such an inspiration, she doesn't 'have' passion, she IS passion! How can I become one of her adopted kids haha Loved this video so much!

[tbtb]

Both of my grandmothers, may they rest in peace, were amazing cooks. I miss them both. *Le nonne sono fantastiche*

[jeffreymcphee]

I’m not talking franchise….but every f-ing city & small town needs this.

[joywilsn]

The "Give me a q-tip" line made me chuckle. So wholesome.

[christineconte]

She’s doing what feeds her soul and fills her with ❤

[lecher]

I just want to hug her, she's so adorable Lol

[TheGodYouWishYouKnew]

“You don’t measure?” - never been around an Italian grandma I reckon.

[devon_lettuce_tomato]

What a beautiful person. Made me cry because she has a wonderful life and radiates it into everyone.

[phronsiekeys]

More grandmas, please!! Food looks amazing and she is wonderful

[teresafraser]

Cara
Tue sei la pue cara Nonna nel mondo ❤Ti volio tante
Tante belle cosi dai Toronto Canada 🇨🇦

[omegasage]

She's such a bright and funny lady!! I hope she lives a very long life. Beautiful nonna <3

[MichaelIhde]

The combination of food made with love and fresh ingredients, singing, and staying positive along with a strong family bond have kept Maria alive and well, may she live and share her beautiful food for years to come!

[RS-ydbp]

What a great lady. All italian grandmother's chop vegetables with those little knives. They don't believe in cutting boards. Lol. Love it

[omrik]

That is a real grandma.... measuring all by hand, eye, smell, taste and feel!!!! ❤️❤️❤️ Fantastic

[rca]

There are not enough hearts to show how much I love this!

[briancox]

I wouldn't just go to this restaurant when the lady is cooking, I'd run there. Love it.