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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[@estefanymendoza5490]

What a bright and beautiful personality she has

[@christiantaylor1109]

she looks amazing for 90

[@felix121984]

Its 2020 not 1980 anymore !

[@Chaddingway]

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

[@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!

[@felix121984]

More are living past 90 in recent years than ever ! You must be 30 wear boat shoes with no socks and think your ffeet dont stink !

[@TheGodYouWishYouKnew]

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

[@tbtb1249]

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

[@JC-du6sn]

Look up Within Heaven's Gates by Rebecca Springer. Page 64 😇

[@paidistapleton6208]

I think the next generation of grandmother's will not live up to the same standards

[@BigDeeDee90]

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!

[@RS-yd2bp]

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

[@cynthiablagg4507]

She is what LIFE should be

[@jo3ywils0n39]

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

[@toriholliday6887]

her personality will live on forever

[@phronsiekeys]

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

[@pizzadanitza]

I, too, am Maria when I take my first sip of coffee in the morning. This vid was a feast! ☕️

[@rkmugen]

8:41 And this is why i naturally gravitated to Italian cuisine when I had to learn how to cook for myself. Hasn't failed me yet!

[@kennethcjackson3391]

What a great segment I can feel her love through her food.

[@bertcertain6982]

I can't even express how much I loved this segment and adored Nonna Maria!

[@rca6576]

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

[@briancox7875]

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

[@pauljakeman]

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

[@godisamazing7074]

She has a beautiful spirit and personality.

[@FERNANDOAMENDIVIL]

TRULY - “1 in 8 Billion.” PURE L❤VE.

[@w2sixpackchef]

"No not wine..." LOL these are the cooking experiences that I love! Great job BA!

[@Pheminon1]

Why choose to be negative when you can be like Nonna Maria? We should all try to be like Nonna Maria. Make food to see people smile and be happy :)

[@BubbleGumzKorner]

I like how she just shows up to her part time job with a mission in mind and at no point discussed it with anyone. Do customers just order Nonna's Dinner? Since it's what SHE decides that day?😂

[@jenniferjones1819]

Sign me up! I miss my Nonna ❤️

[@BiroBiroAttack]

This video just brightened my day, what an amazing person she is. Thanks for sharing such wonderful story

[@coque9312]

Ella me da tanta vida y alegría como una verdadera abuelita

[@Erica_Mc]

This is the epitome of doing what you love! Bless her heart! ❤❤

[@carolebarlow9984]

Nonna Maria is pure joy❤bless her 🥰

[@jackhunt2850]

We need more people with her personality and joy for life, so beautiful ❤

[@user-hh7ii6rk1i]

this is so wholesome omg i got teary eyed bc i miss my grandma so much

[@variousJnames]

Proof that when you love what you do....and I mean truly love it, it shows! ❤ She does not even look 90

[@eevierose31]

I saw a video about this place yeaaaaaaars ago. Im so glad its still open!!

[@annag7171]

Nonna Maria is so lovely and amazing! Her food looks so delicious too. Thank you so much Bon Appetit for sharing her lovely story and the iconic Enoteca restaurant she works at.

[@julietphillips1991]

Nonna is so special! Her food looks very appetizing!

[@MMARLZ]

This is the sweetest thing I've ever seen

[@jlpeters8576]

What a treasure! She's a delight to watch and I bet her cooking is amazing.

[@vandavis000]

I adore her. She lights up the room. 😊❤

[@danflower999]

Her family is so lucky to have her, wish I had a grandma like her

[@Simko3426]

la nonna maria is an ANGEL-all the best and health for this wonderful woman,mother and NONNA Salve nonna, ti voglio bene anch'io dalla Germania

[@SuperMan-xy8ui]

She's has a lovely personality.

[@Danae0619]

OMG! She's adorable! I love her so much!

[@wreagfe]

Wholesome.

[@user-hh7ii6rk1i]

need more episodes with nonna maria

[@DucaleEfston]

I. Love. This. Woman. What an icon!

[@channelflex8792]

How could you not love her?! 😻

[@user-ys1ix7ie3i]

A true master of her trade. Brings her own tools .......LOVE IT !!!

[@nixonanthony4812]

Gosh. I love her so much

[@Remybrook]

Lovely, I lived in Napoli for 5 years and had meals like this. Food in Italy 🇮🇹 varies by region, sometimes just town to town.

[@primeminister66]

KZbin is great sometimes, and this is one of the times! I love this lady

[@clarissavaber423]

She is so lovely...what a treat to see her.

[@ihatekpeng]

Can confirm this place is excellent. It's a wonderful wonderful restaurant.

[@hanaadaniel6657]

Beautiful mom, love your singing ❤

[@angelcake55388]

This is just a cute idea! Sharing culture is beautiful 🥰

[@stowkontrent]

What a lady! Incredible! ❤️

[@kyleyoung4272]

I'm sitting here watching this with my mouth watering and wishing I could try her food. I definitely enjoyed watching this and learning about someone else's life.

[@tylerwilkins2096]

I could watch her for hours!❤

[@Saskia-ww2gq]

tando tando beautiful!!! thanku nonna

[@coljar100]

such an amazing beautiful Nonna....hugs

[@AussieAngeS]

She reminds me of my mother 🥰 my mother speaks just like her with an Italian accent haha. Love her

[@mrjoker2444]

What a wonderful lady she is 😊

[@BH-oq7pz]

Thats an AWESOME concept for a restaurant!!...i will definitely look for it when i fo to N.Y.

[@SuperMustache555]

She's so talkative and knowledgable, it's awesome!

[@blance2069]

This made my day❤

[@stevechoi247]

Love this story

[@anothertarnishedone5960]

Best restaurant idea ever

[@Atm8y]

My nonna would love this ❤

[@lovefelix1566]

Love her!

[@Mysticbladegod]

She is absolutely amazing 🤩

[@user-ml1kj3qs9d]

What a sweet grandma!!

[@kennethwu115]

Thank you Nonna ❤

[@paulkowalik9604]

Everything looks delicious, zucchini is of my favorites. This lady is an artist, cooking keeps her going.

[@brianmurphy7195]

Grandmothers are just the best ❤ miss mine dearly

[@ruthmarcano631]

Nonna Maria looks fantastic. You can tell she loves what she does and it keeps her young. And the coffee helps. ♥ ☕ 👍

[@LLBP.]

How sweet! Looks delish!!

[@user-je4de6rw1k]

I adore you Maria!!!!!

[@sosonolow5094]

As someone who just spent a month in Italy, I guarantee her food is amazing.

[@aviden.268]

Salud María what a beautiful person

[@ashmouse]

What an amazing woman!

[@timivers8823]

Amazing!

[@Makimaki304]

Beautiful!!!!

[@christophermedeiros2971]

This was so amazing

[@Tatianaarc]

Beautiful ❤️

[@speeddemon2262]

Beautiful

[@shirtshine73blitz]

What a lovely woman.

[@vincenzosanzaproulx4665]

Love this

[@FreeMusic-cu2kt]

Beautiful 🎉

[@Arashekhoeur]

Ciao Bella nonna!

[@eddieaguirre605]

What a great concept!

[@dharam149]

Wholesome ❤

[@DZY49er]

I love Italian ppl

[@MrMdiaz84]

Wow 😍❤️

[@CaliSunshine209]

Reminds me of my grandma would love to taste her food ik she make food with love

[@sethsoderman5152]

Awesome woman amazing food

[@BlckJack123]

What a great idea!

[@csuhpat2]

This is so very cool

[@jonnyogden7274]

What a beautiful soul, it sucks that this generation is passing away. Who will step into their shoes and take their place…

[@elaynemurtha8036]

Loved seeing the boxed pasta!😂

[@mobilenation1104]

i love the food!

[@familylove5412]

Wow just wow

[@Natenie]

National treasure