LPK: Can you please talk a bit about your restaurant background and Food Network platform?

CP: I've been in the restaurant business since I was 12 years old. I worked my way up through every position you can imagine, eventually becoming executive chef and part-owner of Fortina, where we opened five locations. I'm Bronx-born and raised, and I spent my summers in Italy learning from my family how to cook real Italian food—not fancy, just honest and delicious.

Winning Food Network Star in 2018 changed my life. It gave me a platform to share my food and my story with millions of people. I've been incredibly fortunate to work on shows like Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, Guy's Grocery Games, and Tournament of Champions. Food Network has believed in me and given me opportunities I could have only dreamed about as a kid watching Great Chefs on PBS.

Now I'm a husband, a father, and a cookbook author—my book Parm to Table came out last year and it's a love letter to Italian-American red sauce cooking, the food I grew up eating, and the traditions I want to pass down. At my core, I love connecting with people through food and making them feel like family.

Liz Parker Kuhn: Can you speak about the Italian-American influence on confectionery culture?

Christian Petroni: Italian-American culture has always celebrated sweetness—not just in desserts, but in how we live. Growing up in the Bronx, Sunday dinners always ended with something sweet, whether it was my nonna's pizzelle or Nutella on fresh bread. That tradition of ending a meal with a moment of joy, something that brings people together and makes them smile, is really what confectionery is all about.

LPK: Any noteworthy nostalgia-driven food trends in confectionery you’re following (i.e. the “nonna’s kitchen” movement)?

CP: The "nonna's kitchen" movement isn't just a trend—it's who we are as Italian-Americans. These recipes and traditions connect us to our roots, to our families, to memories that matter. When you're spreading Nutella on bread or making pizzelle for your kids, you're not just making food. You're passing down love, tradition, and a sense of belonging. That nostalgia is powerful because it's real. It's not manufactured—it comes from actual kitchens, actual moments that shaped who we are.

LPK: How can producers create multi-generational dishes/food experiences that appeal to both parents and kids?

CP: The secret is authenticity and simplicity. My Nutella Banana Bread Pancakes for this campaign are a perfect example—parents remember Nutella from their childhood, kids love the sweet, familiar taste, and everyone can make them together. The best multi-generational experiences don't try to be everything to everyone. They honor tradition while keeping things accessible and fun. Whether you're a firefighter making pancakes at a fundraiser or a parent cooking breakfast on a Saturday morning, it's about creating moments that bring families together.

LPK: Can you talk about how Bronx/NYX Italian-American food culture can influence national confectionery trends?

CP: Bronx Italian-American culture has always been about bold flavors, generosity, and not being afraid to put your personality into what you're cooking. We don't do subtle—we do big, we do flavor, we do love on a plate. That mentality is influencing national trends because people are craving authenticity. They want food that tells a story, that has soul, that makes them feel something.

When I look at confectionery trends, I see the same thing—people want treats that remind them of home, of family, of celebration. The Italian-American influence brings that warmth and that sense of occasion to sweets. Whether it's cannoli, struffoli, or yeah, Nutella straight from the jar at midnight, it's about making everyday moments special.

LPK: Can you speak about your love of Nutella and the current partnership for Stacks for Giving Back? How did the partnership come about?

CP: Nutella has been part of my life since I was a kid. My family in Italy always had it in the house, and when we'd come back to the Bronx, it was one of those tastes that connected me to both worlds. As a chef, I love how versatile it is—you can spread it on bread, drizzle it on desserts, or in this case, make incredible pancakes.

When the opportunity came to join Alex Guarnaschelli and support firefighters through Stacks for Giving Back, it was an easy yes. Firefighters are everyday heroes who show up for their communities without hesitation. Being able to support them while celebrating food, family, and tradition? That's exactly what I'm about.

LPK: How does the program work?

CP: The program is really straightforward and impactful. People can nominate their local fire department at NutellaStacksforGivingBack.com for a chance to receive a Nutella Pancake Breakfast Kit—everything they need to host a successful fundraiser, from pancake mix and jars of Nutella to griddles and aprons.

 Nutella has also partnered with the National Volunteer Fire Council to offer five $5,000 grants to volunteer fire departments across the country. These grants help departments buy equipment, fund training, or address critical needs. It's about giving these heroes the support they deserve, one pancake breakfast at a time.

LPK: How does Nutella and hazelnuts spreads bridge Old World and New World traditions?

CP: Nutella is the perfect bridge between Old World and New World. It was created in Italy, rooted in European tradition, but it's become a staple in American households. When I was growing up, spending summers in Italy and coming back to the Bronx, Nutella was one of those constants. It tasted like home no matter where I was.

That's the magic of it—it honors its Italian heritage while being completely embraced by American families. Whether you're spreading it on bread in Naples or making pancakes with it in New York, it brings people together across generations and cultures.

LPK: Why does the spread resonate across generations?

CP: It's simple, delicious, and nostalgic. Parents remember sneaking spoonfuls as kids, and now they're sharing it with their own children. It's a taste that brings back memories while creating new ones. The beauty of Nutella is that it doesn't require a complicated recipe or special occasion—it's accessible, it's familiar, and it makes people happy. That kind of universal appeal is rare, and it's why it continues to be passed down from generation to generation.

LPK: What is your favorite item to make?

CP: Hands down, it's anything involving Nutella. My Nutella Banana Bread Pancakes  that I created for Stacks for Giving Back are a personal favorite because they combine that nostalgic comfort of banana bread with the richness of Nutella. But honestly, I also love making traditional Italian confections like struffoli during the holidays—those little honey balls remind me of family gatherings and my nonna's kitchen.

The beauty of confectionery is that it's always tied to celebration and joy. Whether it's pancakes on a Sunday morning or a traditional Italian dessert, it's about making people smile. That's what cooking should always be about.

Ferrero Group is on the current Candy Industry “Global Top 100 Candy Companies” list. Click here to view the current “Global Top 100” rankings.