There are no photos in Lidia Bastianich’s new cookbook, Lidia's Mastering the Art of Italian Cuisine: Everything You Need to Know to be a Great Italian Cook.

Instead, it is chock-full advice that will take you from basic home cook to knowledgeable pro. This must-have extensive guide - Bastianich calls it her "most comprehensive book on Italian so far" - takes you through everything from storing ingredients to the tools and techniques you need for success in the kitchen. From how to crush tomatoes properly to the right consistency for pasta dough, the thick tome is like having her right at your side.

And now you have the chance to see the best-selling author and Emmy award-winning host of "Lidia’s Kitchen" and "Lidia’s Italy" in person.

"An Intimate Conversation with Lidia Bastianich" takes place at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on Friday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Tickets range from $50- $250 (plus applicable service fees) and are available at the Sony Centre box office (open Mon-Fri, 12noon – 5pm), online at sonycentre.ca,  and by phone at 1-855-872-SONY (7669). A limited number of VIP tickets that include a signed copy of her book, a meet-and-greet, and the best seats in the house, are also available.

This one-night only engagement will be an evening filled with stories celebrating Lidia’s love of Italian food and family, moderated by our own Bonnie Stern.

Lidia’s been sharing "the richness, deliciousness, and beauty of Italian food" for the past 46 years. In that time, the chef and restaurateur has worked in acclaimed New York City restaurants including Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto. Did you know that it was she and her team that opened Eataly, the largest artisanal Italian food and wine marketplace in New York City, Chicago, and Sao Paolo? A second Eataly in NYC as well as new marketplaces in Los Angeles and Boston open this year. And this is just a small selection of her achievements.  For those nights you don’t feel like cooking from scratch, you can purchase Lidia’s pasta and sauce in supermarkets nationwide.

And for one night only you can hear Lidia tell her stories in person right here in Toronto, so buy your tickets now.