Remember that show on the FoodNetwork in which Mario Batali and a sidekick toured Italy? Well, this October and November, Mario is taking his orange clogs for a culinary tour of Spain. His sidekick this time, though, is actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
According to an interview with Gwyneth in W magazine (the one with the cover shot where she most definitely doesn't look like herself), she offered to go with the Iron Chef, who asked if she was joking. She wasn't. Gwyneth spent many a childhood summer in Spain, and apparently, will "eat all that stuff. The crazy fish things, the eels." The only things she won't eat are beef and pork products, which is such a shame. How do you go to Spain and not eat Jamon Iberico?
I don't know about you, but I'm excited for the show to air on PBS. Gwyneth's voice is a little annoying to me, but I adore Chef Batali.
[via: TVSquad]
Soy and chickpeas might help stroke victims
The world of pie and tart crusts
Starbucks launches the Piadini 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-23-2007 @ 1:04PM
MJ said...
This should be fun and intersting . Hope she will do some cooking as well. Eats eel and not beef?
Reply
8-23-2007 @ 1:18PM
wintem01 said...
I feel the same way, MJ. This could be interesting, but there would seem to be a lot more scarier things to eat in Spain than beef and pork. But then again, what would you expect Mario to say, "No beef or pork? Then sorry Gwyneth, I'll have to cruise around exotic Spain with someone else. I hear Rosie O'Donnell's looking for a gig." Yeah, right.
Reply
8-23-2007 @ 7:29PM
Angela said...
Gwyneth and Mario? What an odd couple!
Reply
8-24-2007 @ 5:46PM
Mike G said...
Of course they picked her for eye candy/celebrity power, but it's inappropriate to have as host of a food show someone with major self-imposed dietary restrictions -- avoiding beef and pork in Spain cuts you out of a major part of the cuisine.
Unless it's a vegetarian show, you need someone who is going to show you the full range of choices.
Reply
8-28-2007 @ 2:47PM
janer said...
What's the big deal? Mario will eat the beef and pork, Gwyneth will eat the fish and veggies.
Reply
8-28-2007 @ 2:57PM
spicedwhisper said...
Good to read "good" news. Food trumps war any day.
Reply
8-28-2007 @ 3:53PM
Bill Olmsted said...
Sometimes the oddest ingredients make the best main course.
These two are complete opposites. I for one....will watch the fun...........
Reply
8-28-2007 @ 4:11PM
roses said...
This is exciting. What great fun to tour Spain with a chef.
The food and culture are great.
Reply
8-28-2007 @ 4:42PM
Vivi said...
You know, I cannot understand people who won't eat this or that. To me they never knew what hunger is like. Many people are starving and will eat anything. These fussy people should go without any food for a week and let's see what they will turn down!
Reply
8-28-2007 @ 5:30PM
tony Iannacone said...
It's too bad the we are seeing the current group on food network. Some are phonies Like Ray Gaida and paula. They are just good with the words. On the other hand Mario Batali is a true chef. His knowledge of the regions of Italy and their foods is out standing. The mix of Guyneth and Mario doesn't make sense.
Reply
8-28-2007 @ 5:32PM
tony Iannacone said...
It's too bad the we are seeing the current group on food network. Some are phonies Like Ray Gaida and paula. They are just good with the words. On the other hand Mario Batali is a true chef. His knowledge of the regions of Italy and their foods is out standing. The mix of Guyneth and Mario doesn't make sense.
Reply
8-28-2007 @ 6:39PM
Gunsmoke said...
Good reason why she chose Spain is due to her Apreciation to Western European Cuisine, Art and Culture TV Networks don't often show, Also her Fluent Spanish she Learned as an Exchange Student in Toledo Spain - i whish them the best !!
Reply
8-28-2007 @ 7:08PM
JoyfulHeart said...
Hello, PEOPLE - Gwyneth is JEWISH!!! Please, have some respect for her religion!!!!
Reply
8-28-2007 @ 7:11PM
jen romo said...
This should make for some interesting tv, I'm not a big Gwen fan, and also agree her voice CAN be annoying! But i'd watch anything with chef Batali - love him and his orange clogs!
Reply
8-28-2007 @ 7:21PM
Barb said...
How cool is that - I can't wait! Two charismatic people with such charm - I can't wait!
Reply
8-28-2007 @ 8:13PM
Sue said...
I don't see it. He's down-to-earth and she's a silverspoon snob born to famous parents.
Reply
9-23-2007 @ 12:54AM
trvlcrzy said...
Take me with you! I'll eat BOTH pork (jamon Jabugo) and eel..and of course, a side trip for a table at Roses would be the ultimate.
Reply
10-22-2007 @ 11:37PM
Donna said...
my husband and I were in Toledo,Spain on Oct.4 when a camera crew drove by filming a car - I see the driver is Gwyneth Paltrow and when I look to see who her passenger was - it was Mario Batali - of course we don't have our camera out. Glad to see this site, at least I know I wasn't seeing things.
Reply
5-20-2008 @ 11:23AM
Paul Cohen said...
I thought she was Jewish. I guess she doesn't keep kosher.
Reply
9-28-2008 @ 6:10PM
rjk said...
just finished watching 2 shows with mario, gwtneth-bittmman and a claudia ( I think), it's not matter of being kosher for GP, I got the feeling it was the "industrial" way the animals were raised that she disapproves of, and doesn't want to support that effort. as far as odd couples, why not, would be kinda boring and too obvious if everyone was on the same page with with everything they enjoyed, much like the bittman-mario shows, or any 2 other "foodies"
Reply