Alex de benedetti photo giada

ByLauren SchumackerandKaren Miner

Whether you love her dearly or love to hate her — or maybe a mixture of both — chances are you know who Giada De Laurentiis is. 

Giada De Laurentiis is one of Food Network's best-loved stars. She rose to fame in 2003, when her first TV show, Everyday Italian, premiered on Food Network. People quickly fell for her approachable, friendly demeanor and her simple, yet flavorful Italian dishes. It wasn't long, though, before a bit of controversy started to surround the celebrity chef.

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While De Laurentiis has been in the limelight for a number of years, there are still some things that even her most devoted fans don't know about the chef with the megawatt smile. From her early years before the fame, to her behind-the-scenes successes, here are some things you might not know about Giada De Laurentiis.

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