Food Network’s De Laurentiis visits Naperville/Aurora students

Naperville-area elementary students in chef’s hats on an unexpected day off school greeted celebrity chef and Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis.

A Tuesday afternoon visit scheduled for White Eagle Elementary School had to be moved to the clubhouse in the Naperville and Aurora subdivision because the district canceled school at White Eagle and 19 other buildings without air conditioning.

But De Laurentiis still was able to visit and answer questions for kids, discussing her career and her children’s chapter book series “Recipe for Adventure.”

The book series by the woman behind the popular cookbooks and TV programs “Everyday Italian” and “Giada at Home” introduces children to the joys of cooking and to famous food cities around the world. It launched Sept. 3 with books called “Naples!” and ‘Paris!”

Anderson’s Bookshop hosted De Laurentiis’ trip to the Naperville area Tuesday, which also included an evening appearance at Pfeiffer Hall on North Central College’s campus.