From his rise to fame on MasterChef to his numerous Guinness World Records, Chef Nick DiGiovanni has made his mark on the culinary world. While some of his food ideas are not typical dinner time fare, his creativity inspires others to step out of their regimented recipe box. With his recent partnership with StarKist, the celebrated chef encourages everyone to open the pouch to a plethora of possibilities.
Growing up, canned tuna was always a pantry staple. It might not have been the most exciting lunchtime fare, but it was easy, convenient, and tasty. Sandwiches, salads, or even just eating straight from the pouch, that meal did not require a lot of fuss, yet it satisfied.
Today’s StarKist tuna is far different from that simple can with a Charlie’s smiling face. Bold spices, bright citrus, and even smoky barbecue flavor that fish. All the options encourage people to see beyond the standard fare and try something new.
Recently, StarKist partnered with Chef Nick DiGiovanni to help with its StarKist Mashup Challenge which showcased its Creations line. The idea is to add some vibrancy to that tuna recipe.
Through his partnership with the food brand, Chef Nick graciously answered some questions. Below is a transcript of that interview.
Cristine Struble: Tuna can sometimes be overlooked as a versatile ingredient. How does this challenge help people think outside of the pouch (or can)? What are some fun, yet approachable ways for home cooks to learn to use StarKist in different ways?
Chef Nick DiGiovanni: “I think a lot of people don’t realize just how versatile tuna can be. That’s exactly why the StarKist Mashup Challenge is so fun. It’s not just about using tuna in a new way; it’s about taking any of StarKist’s 40+ Creations Pouches flavors, whether it’s Tuna, Chicken, or Salmon, and coming up with bold, exciting recipes that mash up flavors in ways you wouldn’t expect.
For home cooks looking to get creative, I’d say start by thinking about the flavors you already love and swap in a StarKist Creations Pouch. Love tacos? Try using StarKist Tuna Creations Lemon Pepper or StarKist Chicken Creations BOLD Buffalo Style. Love sushi? Mash up some tuna with sriracha and mayo for a quick and easy spicy tuna bowl. The possibilities are endless. The key is to have fun with it—food should never feel intimidating!”
CS: Tuna salad is often the first recipe associated with canned/packaged tuna. What’s an easy way to make that staple more exciting?
NG: Tuna salad may sound basic, but it’s easy to take it up a notch by mixing and matching your favorite flavors. For example, I love tuna melts and make one at least every week. When I teamed up with StarKist, I knew I had to create a next-level version—my Cheesy, Smoky Tuna Melt.
The secret? Mixing up StarKist Tuna Creations Hickory Smoke Flavor for that deep, rich flavor and StarKist Tuna Creations Lemon Pepper for a bit of a kick. Mix it up with a little Dijon mustard, mayo, and a pinch of smoked paprika, followed by celery and red onion for crunch. Pile it onto toasted sourdough with white cheddar or gruyere. Toast it in the oven until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melty, and you’ve got the ultimate comfort food with a twist.
CS: With the current StarKist Mashup Challenge, why do you think that these recipes are successful? Is there an element that seems to unite them all? Do you have any advice for people wanting to make mashup recipes at home?
NG: A great mashup is all about contrast—you want to play with sweet vs. savory, crunchy vs. creamy, spicy vs. tangy. If you look at the best recipes in this challenge, they all bring something unexpected to the table.
My advice to anyone mashing it up at home? Don’t overthink it! Take flavors you already love or have always wanted to try and just bring them together. And don’t be afraid to go big with flavors—that’s what this challenge is all about! Just add a fun twist, name your dish, and boom—you might just create the next viral mashup.
CS: Social media has changed the culinary world. How do you feel that social media has helped to evolve people’s perspective on food, flavors, and even their willingness to try to cook?
NG: The reason I love social media is because of the way it has completely reimagined how we approach food, making cooking feel more accessible and exciting than ever. In the past, if you wanted to learn about new flavors or cooking techniques, you had to rely on cookbooks or TV shows which really limited how much home chefs could learn. Now, with social media, people can access millions of recipes and cooking tips at the click of a button.
What’s amazing is that social media has really encouraged people to experiment with flavors and cooking styles they may never have thought of before. One viral TikTok video can introduce an entirely new concept to a massive audience—like the viral feta pasta that got so many people back into the kitchen. People are more willing to try new things because they see someone else doing it first, which builds a kind of collective confidence. Social media lets us share our wins, our mistakes, and everything in between, which, in a way, helps take the pressure off the idea of cooking being this intimidating skill. It’s all about trial, error, and getting creative!
CS: MasterChef brought you into the spotlight and you’ve grown from there. Do you have any desire to go back into a culinary competition in a competitive way? Do you feel that your Guinness World Records challenges appeal to your competitive nature?
NG: I had the best time on MasterChef and I have been lucky enough to maintain both a mentorship and friendship with Gordon. I am always open to exploring new ventures but for now, I am focused primarily on building my YouTube channels. And we’re having a lot of fun breaking food-related World Records along the way.
CS: What do you think will be the next big food trend? Are you seeing a food, flavor, or even destination that will arrive on everyone’s table?
NG: The world is always evolving and people are getting busier by the minute, so I think we’re going to see a lot more innovation around transforming easy, everyday ingredients into something totally new and exciting. Take something like the StarKist Creations® pouches—they’re a fun way to reinvent basic meals, making them more creative, accessible, and customizable.
The next destination? I’d say look out for more focus on influences from global street food culture—there’s so much to explore in terms of flavors and creativity!
From turning that StarKist tuna into a riff on a favorite street food, like some simple tacos or transforming grandma’s tuna casserole into something more modern, home cooks have a bounty of options waiting for them to discover. Ready to open the pantry to all the possibilities?