3. Lidia Bastianich
Lidia Bastianich is changing the way Americans look at Italian cuisine in more ways than one. Thanks to her award-winning cooking shows and various books, the Douglaston resident has been a leader in the industry, changing people’s perceptions of Italian cuisine as well as the way they prepare it. “There’s also a philosophy of cooking I was raised on: use as much of your ingredients as you can,” Bastianich has been quoted as saying. “Everybody wants a chicken breast, but what happens to the rest of the chicken? Use it.” Her ideas have influenced chefs around the country who are looking to add some authentic Italian flavor to their menus.
2. Ran Craycraft
Have you ever wanted an easier way to meet people in your neighborhood or see what’s happening this weekend? So did Ran Craycraft. As the creator of Why Leave Astoria?!, Craycraft has introduced a unique way to interact with your neighbors. The hyper-local social networking site, similar to Facebook, provides members with information and events in the Astoria neighborhood, while allowing them to interact with each other. WLA?! has grown quickly in popularity and has over 3,000 members, setting the standard for similar sites which are sure to pop up in the near future.
1. Mary Murphy You’ve probably seen her face on television, but there’s more to Mary Murphy of Channel 11 news than meets the eye. Over the years she’s reported on huge stories like the first World Trade Center bombing and the Joel Steinberg trial, yet despite being the recipient of over a dozen Emmy awards, the Queens native is extremely down-to-earth. An annual participant in the Inner Circle charity show, which spoofs headline-making politicians and celebrities, she’s played the roles of Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin and Beyonce. (For more on Mary Murphy, see our feature story beginning on page 38) www.itsqueens.com Spring Spring 2010 2010 25 25 www.itsqueens.com