Mario Batali talks about being a Celebrity Chef and in the process shows us what a good television personality he really is.
Batali gives celebrity view on celebrity
“It’s like this,” Mario Batali said, sitting in his Eighth Street restaurant and talking about being famous. “I’m happy to sign autographs and do all of that, but there are times when I’m just trying to eat breakfast with my kids and the person I ask to wait for an autograph calls me an asshole. I’m not going to go off, though, like some celebrities, and punch a paparazzo or anything.”
But that’s the beauty of New York, he said. “Even if 8 million people hate you, there’s still 9 million people left, and a lot of them will still come to your restaurant.”
The Food Network alumnus – famous for his show “Molto Mario” – talked to GSP sophomores from professor Elayne Tobin’s course, “Celebrity: A Cultural and Historical Exploration of Modern Fame.” They ate a three-course meal at his restaurant Otto.
Batali reflected upon his experiences and relationships, drawing upon time spent with his college roommate James Gandolfini (later, of “The Sopranos”), his work in the restaurant business and his celebrity friends – like Gwyneth Paltrow, with whom he recently filmed a television special about Spain.
Batali said it can be hard to toe the line between being a celebrity and being a chef.
“It’s the ability to back celebrity chef status up in the real world – that’s what often makes the difference between having a restaurant and all of this and a situation like Rocco,” Batali said, referencing the reality TV chef whose restaurant and celebrity status, Batali believes, have been altered by personal and business conflicts.
The TV personality explained the personal and strategic importance of the look communicated by his black polar fleece, basic button-down shirt and his signature orange Crocs.
But he tries to use his success for the greater good, Batali said. For example, his $4,500 watch is a limited edition from his new line of customized watches, from which 10 percent of the profits will be donated to the Food Bank, one of his favorite causes.
Batali left the Food Network in 2004, when his show “Molto Mario” ended. He said newer Food Network shows, for which Batali had unkind words, are different than his was.
“Everybody focuses more on things like getting it done in 30 minutes than doing it authentically,” Batali said.
Still, he said he does not mind the change too much.
“At the end of the day, I’m happy to have anyone cook anything – I’m more against Arby’s and McDonald’s than people who cut corners and whatever to get dinner on the table.”
