Chef Pino Di Cerbo Serves Heart, Humor & Holiday Cheer on VegHeadz for the Holidays

Known for his charm, authenticity, and vegetable-forward cooking, Chef Pino Di Cerbo brings warmth and relatability to every dish he creates. He returns to Gusto TV this December with VegHeadz for the Holidays, a festive celebration of veggie-focused dishes, Italian tradition, and joyful holiday cooking. We sat down with Pino to hear more about his holiday plans and family traditions.

What sparked your love for food and eventually led you to television?
Pino Di Cerbo: It goes back to childhood. My mom immigrated from Italy, taught herself everything, and was cooking full meals by 12. Watching her make everything from scratch was inspiring. In an Italian household, food is cultural, emotional, and constant. I started cooking young and never stopped. Television came later with MasterChef. Reality TV is intense. They push your emotions and create stressful situations because it makes for great TV. It was intimidating at first, but over time the experience makes it easier.

You host both Global Veggies and VegHeadz. How have these shows shaped the way you approach vegetables?
PDC: My favourite food in the world is roasted red peppers. I used to bring roasted pepper sandwiches to school, and the kids would tease me. Now those same people say roasted peppers are amazing. Hosting these shows let me explore vegetables in fun, creative ways and really celebrate them. They don’t have to be a side dish. They deserve to be the star.

What’s your go-to veggie-forward meal on a busy weeknight?
PDC: Cucumbers, tomatoes, and bocconcini or mozzarella di bufala. Basically, a simple Caprese-style salad with great olive oil and fresh bread. My kids love it, and we probably eat it more than anything else.

In your opinion, what makes a holiday recipe truly timeless?
PDC: Tradition. If you take something classic and give it a small twist while keeping its roots, it can last for years. If it’s too unfamiliar, it usually doesn’t make it into the rotation. Holidays are about the dishes that feel like home.

What does Christmas dinner look like in your family?
PDC: It’s an all-day feast. We start with Brodo, a homemade chicken bone broth with little meatballs, then move into antipasto: homemade cheeses, cured meats, olives, marinated vegetables, fresh bread. After that comes fresh pasta like lasagna or ravioli. Then lamb with roasted potatoes, plus a second meat for anyone who doesn’t love lamb. Later in the day we bring out seafood like lobster, shrimp, and scallops in a light red wine and tomato sauce. The real star is my mom’s stuffed mussels or clams. Everyone fights for those. And of course: cookies. So many cookies. And panettone. Always panettone.

What’s your role in the holiday cooking?
PDC: I help when my mom lets me. She loves doing everything herself. Sometimes I prep, sometimes I clean, and sometimes I just sit and enjoy. It’s Christmas after all.

Do you have any exciting projects coming up?
PDC: Yes. I’ll be on Breakfast Television with a 10-kilogram panettone, about 22.5 pounds. It comes straight from Italy and is a work of art. When you cut it open, the aroma fills the room and people rush over like you’re handing out gold.

Through VegHeadz for the Holidays, Chef Pino Di Cerbo brings humour, heart, and the warmth of Italian tradition to Gusto TV’s festive lineup. From vegetable-focused dishes to his legendary family Christmas feast, Pino reminds us that the best holiday memories are made around the table with good food, good company, and plenty of joy.