Giada De Laurentiis and Daughter Jade Are 'Road Tripping' on College Tour — and Fans Think They're 'Giving Lorelai and Rory'

Giada De Laurentiis and her daughter Jade have turned their college visits into a tour around the U.S. — and fans are loving just how close the mother-daughter duo are.

In an Instagram post shared on Wednesday, March 26, the Food Network alum, 54, posted photos taken all around the country as she and 16-year-old Jade prepare for the college application process.

"Road tripping with my girl (& in denial that we’re officially on the college hunt 😭😭)," the star captioned her post, which featured photos of the duo posing for a selfie with a city skyline in the background, enjoying plenty of different meals and even looking out the window as they ride the train to their next destination.

Other photos in the post show the mom and daughter showing off their matching shoes, and yet another shows Jade grinning as the pair visit a historic theater.

Fans were quick to share their love for Jade — and some even compared the two to Gilmore Girls characters Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, known as an extremely close mother-daughter duo.

"Giving Lorelei & Rory :’)" one commenter wrote, while someone else replied, "My thoughts exactly!!"

"Omg are you serious? I’m thinking she’s only 15. How time flies 😢," another fan commented.

"❤️🥹 time goes by so fast…" another comment reads.

The celebrity chef has always been candid about rooting for her daughter's success, and has even shared videos in the past showing her daughter's musical abilities.

Back in September 2024, De Laurentiis shared a clip of Jade singing with her band, The Hours, with a Los Angeles train station in the background.

In the clip, Jade — whom De Laurentiis shares with her ex-husband, clothing designer Todd Thompson — can be seen singing lead vocals as guitarists and a drummer back her up.

Just this month, the celebrity chef shared a similar video in an Instagram post that featured her daughter singing her heart out to Audioslave’s 2002 track “Like a Stone." The teen appeared to be performing with her band.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

“It's crazy because neither her father or I sing,” the chef told PEOPLE in October of her ex-husband Thompson. “Nobody in my family sings. I mean, we all love music, but not like that. Maybe in the shower. I'm always speechless when it comes to Jade and her music, because she's able to write music.”

According to the Super-Italian author, Jade taught herself to play the keyboard during the pandemic, and is currently learning to play the guitar on her own.

“I don't have that gift, so I am just in such awe of her willingness and her openness at teaching herself these instruments that to me are just beyond,” she added to PEOPLE. “I don't play the piano. I don't play any instrument. It's really sad, but I don't. It wasn't something my parents highlighted, and I just never went for it.”

De Laurentiis added that she's “truly impressed” with Jade’s musical aptitude, and is eager to find out what path the high school junior will pursue when she graduates.

“I'm really, really fascinated to watch her because she is nothing like me," the star said. "I know everybody says, 'She's like a mini you,' but she really isn't.”