Imagine finding yourself in the center of Florence on an ordinary morning and, by chance, running into Stanley Tucci who—like a true Italian—has breakfast with a lampredotto sandwich and a glass of red wine. That’s exactly how the first episode of Tucci in Italy opens, the docu-series produced by Disney+ and released last May, in which one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors travels across Italy with the main goal of exploring its culinary excellence. From the very first Autogrill in Italy, located near Linate airport, Tucci continues his journey to Colonnata, famous for its lard, and then to Ristoro Mucciante in the heart of the Gran Sasso, chosen specifically to try the real Abruzzese arrosticini. All of this takes place in a relaxed atmosphere, as the actor navigates conversations ranging from family to the complex history of Italian kingdoms, speaking in Italian that is far from broken, though marked by a distinct American accent and a curious cadence that vaguely recalls the Calabrian region his family hails from.
Tucci in Italy is not the first time the Italian-American actor has explored the peninsula through its cuisine. Back in 2021, CNN aired the series Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, which ran for two seasons but was not renewed for a third due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While the format may loosely resemble Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, Tucci’s work feels less anthropological and less raw than that of the late chef. What emerges on screen, however, is a shared search for authenticity and identity. As a third-generation American with Italian roots, Stanley Tucci expresses a desire to connect with the land of his ancestors—a bond that goes far beyond the usual clichés of “mozzarell” and “gabagool.” Instead, his culinary journey leads him to discover traditional dishes like crespelle and porchetta from Ariccia, while also delving into the historical and cultural impact that World War II had on the cuisine and identity of regions such as Trentino-Alto Adige.
But Tucci’s love for Italy doesn’t end on screen. When he’s not traveling across the country or starring in Oscar-nominated films like The Devil Wears Prada or Conclave, he dedicates himself to cooking the most homemade and authentic recipes of Italian tradition. Dishes he regularly shares with his 5.5 million followers on Instagram through video tutorials, as if he were video-calling his children or a close friend. From his grandmother’s minestrone to pasta and beans, all the way to a summer frittata with Tropea onions served under the floral portico of a villa in Umbria. It almost seems absurd that a tuna pasta tutorial (using Riomare, of course) could rack up 1.7 million views and over a thousand comments. Alternatively, he takes his community grocery shopping at the local fishmonger, just like a perfect Italian grandmother would.
my favourite hobby is watching stanley tucci telling me stuff i already know about my own country he is searching for italy so bad one day i will find him in my apartment
— h` (@HELEBING_) June 6, 2025
Perhaps that’s the real charm—Tucci, despite being American, seems more attentive and emotionally invested in Italian cuisine than many Italians today. As if geographical distance has given him a clearer view of the importance of preserving the cultural heritage linked to food. In one episode set in Abruzzo, for example, he tells the story of a young woman who reopened the village’s old bakery after 35 years, only to realize that no one knew how to make bread anymore. There were no written recipes or inherited gestures—the memory had simply faded away. In that moment, Tucci’s storytelling shifts from mere entertainment to something more urgent: a call to reclaim a legacy that risks disappearing, just as it happened when Italians migrated to the United States.