Iron Chef‘s Donatella Arpaia Welcomes a Son

Seth Browarnik/Startraks

Nothing could top Donatella Arpaia‘s 40th birthday present.

The celebrity chef and her husband Dr. Allan Stewart welcomed a son on her special day, Thursday, Sept. 15, her rep confirms to PEOPLE.

Baby boy — whose name has not been released — was born at New York City’s Columbia Presbyterian and weighed 8 lbs., 3 oz.

And while the Iron Chef America and The Next Iron Chef judge and her son now share the same birthday, there is even more to celebrate: the date also marks the one-year anniversary of the opening of Arpaia’s restaurant, Donatella.

– Anya Leon

Comments

Congrats to Donatella adn her husband. I didn’t even know she was pregnant! I’m sure the baby will have a nice Italian name.

- A. on September 18th, 2011

She looks good for 40! Congrats on the baby!

- LoveCrazyBeautifulLife on September 18th, 2011

Actually I just looked her up and she is only 37. She looks good though.

- LoveCrazyBeautifulLife on September 18th, 2011

Nope, she’s 40. I went to school with her and I’m celebrating the big one next month. You have to remember anyone can edit Wikipedia.

Congrats to her, can’t wait to hear the baby’s name. She was always a sweetheart.

- Maggie on September 18th, 2011

Congrats!

- jenni on September 18th, 2011

Nope she is 40.I graduated high school with her and she looks awesome!!!!!!!

- cigicc on September 18th, 2011

She looks 40 at least, I would have guessed her older. Congrats.

- Holiday on September 18th, 2011

cigicc – you’re full of crap and Holiday – you’re just mean.

- Donna on September 18th, 2011

What a double celebration!

As someone turning 40 in a few mths I think she looks great, has the glow in this pic, but (and she may have had her son a bit later for whatever reason, career, fertility issues etc) but I personally can’t imagine having had my first child at 40. I was 32, a few mths off turning 33, when I had my son and then just-turned 36 & admit to finding it harder with the nearly 4 year old & also coming up to my big 40 in a few mths (uurgh!!). Congrats to her.

- Sam & Freya's Mum on September 18th, 2011

How is it mean for me to think she looks her age if not older??? Sam and Freya mom I cant imagine having a kid at 40 either. You got close to 40 when you had your second though. I had my first at 22 and second at 26!

- Holiday on September 18th, 2011

no, holiday, she truly looks at least 34 for real.

- Li-Li on September 18th, 2011

Well that sure is a rough looking 34! I hope not to look like that at 34.

- Holiday on September 18th, 2011

lucky gal….i had my daughter two days after my 26th birthday. She is now turning 3 this year. a baby is the best birthday present you can get

- Jess on September 18th, 2011

Holiday – In an ideal world would’ve had my kids younger but met hubby at just over 29 as it was, then had a high risk pregnancy with son so wasn’t in a hurry to risk it happening again (luckily didn’t!) but sadly then had miscarriage in between my kids, when my son was just over 2 years. Like the 3 years, 3 mths age gap now however, even if not planned that way…

I have friends who had first child at 34, 35 and 36 and so in comparison 32 wasn’t geratric!; pretty common these days I guess, and in the celebirity world it seems to be over mid 30′s, late 30′s and into 40′s for having first kid! Am glad I travelled, lived in London, UK from ages 25-27, nearly 28, and wouldn’t change that for anything. Great experiene seeing other countries, doing other things in life, and miss it now at times with monotomy of routine that kids need – much as I love them and wouldn’t change it now of course..! Definitely enjoyed having carefree 20′s! Ideally age would’ve had first kid late 20′s/30, 2nd at 32 or 33 but wasn’t an option then. On flipside, I wouldn’t want to have had kids under 25 as it’s so life changing and was soooo not ready then. Like my sleep! Everyone’s different I guess…

- Sam & Freya's Mum on September 18th, 2011

to bad shes a bitch and was drinking during her whole pregnancy. poor child

hint to Donatella, if you want to drink, at least do it at home, not at your public restaurant!

- j on September 19th, 2011

J-were you there?

- M on September 22nd, 2011

Wow, I’m pretty sure she did IVF or at least took meds to help with ovulation! It is very rare for anyone 40 or older to get pregnant naturally. Congrats to her though.

- Tatin on September 23rd, 2011

She’s 40- like many celebs- she fudges her DOB to seem younger.

- Camille on September 23rd, 2011

She is 40

- Camille on September 23rd, 2011

have met her, not impressed!

- Camille on September 23rd, 2011

met her, not impressed

- Camille on September 23rd, 2011

holiday- you seem immature and jealous…. Take a hard look in the mirror and deal with your insecurities.

- EB on October 5th, 2011

I think Donatella looks fabulous. I thought she was younger than 40. Sounds like a lot of you are just jealous that you look older than your age. Some of us a blessed with good skin and awesome genes.

- Laura on January 29th, 2012