Context:

Giada De Laurentiis is savoring her final summer with daughter Jade before she starts college at NYU, balancing poignant sadness with pride as they prepare for a new chapter. She describes a mix of “sad days and happy days” and notes that motherhood’s purpose feels redefined as Jade leaves for school. The moment is framed by her collaboration with Peroni Nastro Azzurro, which brings Italian aperitivo culture stateside through Peroni Portals and a Pane di Peroni focaccia. She emphasizes that the transition is normal and shared by many parents, signaling both continued closeness and greater freedom for both of them. The piece also situates Jade’s upbringing with ex-husband Todd Thompson (born in 2008) and hints at the broader cultural experience Giada aims to foster in the U.S. through her ventures.

Dive Deeper:

• De Laurentiis, 55, explains she has mixed emotions as Jade, her daughter born in 2008 with ex-husband Todd Thompson, prepares to attend NYU in New York City, marking the end of a long chapter of motherhood.

• She describes the summer as a time of fluctuating moods—moments of deep sadness intertwined with moments of joy—as she anticipates Jade’s independence while acknowledging the distance from California will be greater for calls and visits.

• The actress and author reflects on the first 20 years of mothering, noting that she and Jade will navigate a new dynamic, with Jade likely dating and building a life away from home, which contributes to her sense of an evolving purpose.

• De Laurentiis frames the transition as a common experience for many parents, citing conversations with other moms who describe it as a form of mourning that eventually yields more freedom for both parent and child.

• In parallel to her personal journey, she promotes Peroni Portals, a coast-to-coast pop-up inspired by Italian wine windows, launching in New York on July 24 to offer an aperitivo experience featuring Pane di Peroni focaccia created by her, aiming to foster community and cultural exchange.

• She emphasizes that the collaboration with Peroni is about bringing a slice of Italian culture to the U.S. and creating a communal, enjoyable experience without travel, aligning with her broader goals with Giadzy and other culinary endeavors.