Stanley Tucci debuts new culinary travel series, says hosting tougher than acting

Stanley Tucci, the acclaimed actor known for roles in films like Julie & Julia and The Devil Wears Prada, is back on screen with a brand new culinary travel series titled 'Tucci in Italy'. Interestingly, the Oscar nominee shared that he finds hosting a show even more challenging than acting. "Hosting is harder because you have to be yourself," he explained, adding with a laugh, "And the reason actors become actors is they probably don’t want to be themselves all the time."

This latest venture sees Tucci embarking on a flavorful journey across five distinct regions of Italy: Tuscany, Lombardy, Trentino Alto-Adige, Lazio, and Abruzzo. The five-episode series focuses on his interactions with local chefs, farmers, shopkeepers, and everyday Italians, delving into their food traditions and the stories behind the dishes.

Tucci describes the show as essentially "an exploration of what makes up Italy through the prism of food." He highlighted the unique Italian relationship with cuisine, noting how people from all walks of life, from cab drivers to aristocracy, discuss food with equal passion and depth. He feels this deep connection through food is rare, stating, "I don’t know another culture that would do that, where it just breaks down all boundaries."

During his travels for the show, Tucci demonstrated an adventurous palate. Despite his preference for less spicy food, he was open to trying everything put before him, including a significant amount of offal. Reflecting on the episodes, he observed the prevalence of offal in the featured cuisine but accepted it as an authentic part of Italian food culture. With Italian heritage himself and having lived in and visited the country previously (including for his show 'Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy'), Tucci also shared that traveling through Italy often brings back nostalgic reminders of people from his childhood, fostering a deep personal connection to the place.

Viewers can join Stanley Tucci on his delicious exploration of Italy when 'Tucci in Italy' begins streaming on Disney+ starting May 19, followed by its premiere on National Geographic on May 21.