The Sopranos Does Food

Actor John Ventimiglia plays Artie Bucco, the chef at the Nuovo Vesuvio restaurant on the show. The idea behind the food line is the latest trend of people getting together on Sunday nights, cooking a huge Italian meal and watching The Sopranos. The natural idea would be to capitalize on that with The Sopranos name.

Initially, only a gift set containing spaghetti sauce, Caesar dressing and dry ziti will be offered on HBO’s website, www.hbo.com. By next year, the products will be featured in major supermarkets and specialty stores. Other products will be introduced such as frozen pizzas, olive oil, barbecue sauce and additional salad dressings. According to sources, all the products will "carry The Sopranos and HBO imprimatur." While the name Bucco will be on all the products no word yet on whether or not Ventimiglia’s image will grace the products as well. HBO is also releasing The Sopranos Family Cookbook: As Compiled by Artie Bucco. The cookbook will include recipes by characters from the show.

Some other ideas may be to open "Bada Bing" strip joints that bear James Gandolfini’s image as "Tony Soprano." Edie Falco could get her own clothing and jewelry line, "Carmela." Jamie Lynn Sigler could have a weight loss program entitled, "Meadows" and Robert Iler could lend his image to "A.J.’s Bongs & Bowls." The possibilities are endless. Just a thought…Next we will see The Sopranos action figures and baby doll lines. No word yet on when the food line will be available but the show will return for its fourth season on September 15.