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SF: What's the deal with the new cookbook?
MB: The deal is still the same magnificent, delicious Italian cooking that I've reinterpreted. The emphasis on protein hasn't changed much for the Italians, but in America we've been donating way too many of our resources toward the production and consumption of protein. Not to say that we don't like protein -- meat is good, but you should eat less of it and more vegetables.
You have certainly taken that to heart.
I certainly have. I've lost like 45 pounds.
More of our interview with Mario Batali after the jump.
Wow, how did you do it?
Eating half. If you get a portion in a restaurant you take half away immediately and you'd be surprised, you're full anyway. I don't know where I was putting it away before. At a certain point you just realize you don't need to eat as much.
Do you have saggy skin?
Honey, I exercise every day. I'm taut!
Ever think about doing a kids cookbook?
If I'd put my kids on the cover this could have just as easily been that book, because some of these recipes fit two to a page but I don't know if I'm going to plumb that commercial component. A lot of the cooking I do is family- and child-friendly, but I don't think you have to dumb it down like, 'Bobby, here's how you make something.'
You're one of the first celebrity chefs. It seems like cooking has become a spectator sport.
On any level to watch someone else do something they're good at is entertaining, whether it's playing violin, cooking or playing baseball. Watching someone cooking something made from scratch as opposed to fast food – it must permeate you somewhere. At least you have a threshold of awareness.
Are you still feuding with Gordon Ramsay?
No, you know, we really don't even know each other. It was created by a couple of journalists. I'd love to hang out with him.
Who's going to win in a fist fight?
Me and him would kick someone's ass.
No, no, against each other.
He looks pretty tough. I wouldn't fight him, that's for damn sure.
What else is going on with you?
Opening a big grocery store in New York. With five restaurants and a brew pub on the roof. Fifty-thousand square feet, slow food deal. Italian magnificence. We need a gastronomic destination in New York, which we have not had for some time, like Harrods or La Boqueira. Hopefully this will be that.
Do you still cook?
When we do menu changes, I do a lot of that stuff, which is every four to six weeks. I'm still at Otto and Babbo every day.
But are you cooking?
I'm working in the kitchen. I don't necessarily set up a station. I work with the guys in there. We talk about the food. I touch it, I taste it. But I'm not accountable!
Any more TV?
I'm working on two new shows. One will be talking and cooking and teaching people like the original Molto Mario, except I'll have one or two guests on and we'll talk more about traditional ideals of what really good food is about and then we'll talk about philanthropy. The other one is in Sicily with Phil Rosenthal [creator of Everybody Loves Raymond], Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep.
Look at you, Mr. Celebrity Chef.
Having fun.
Any celebrity you want to cook for but haven't yet?
Jack Nicholson. I love that guy.
I loved the recent New York Times magazine article about celebrity chefs. You and Paula Deen make a lot of money.
Paula Deen probably makes a lot more money than me these days, but you know what, she hits a lot more strings with the public that I do. That cultural confidence with somebody that's motherly is an impressive thing and she makes food. Boy, she can really cook it up.
So how much money do you guys make at those food festivals?
A hundred grand a day is very traditional. It's crazy.
Are you kachinging in your head when you're sitting there?
Yeah kind of. No, basically when I'm there I'm doing what I do, which is to talk about food and how to make it delicious.
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4-07-2010 @8:34PM Maggie said... Oh because your daughter saw him with two friends? What does that have to do with anything...and Im betting you and your daughter could probably stand to lose a few pounds yourself.
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4-07-2010 @8:43PM shocked@therudeness said... seriously? You bash the guy? He's a chef, he cooks, writes, talks and eats food all day long, everyday......all year, every year. It's his life. He just shed 45 lbs and is losing more... .and you bash him? You're momma named you correctly "Hate-y."
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4-07-2010 @8:40PM Hattie Crabtree said... Hey Maggie,ya got a big mouth honey.I could lose a few lbs.and so could you.As for my daughter,she is lucky to be a size 3.I bet you couldn't afford to live in NYC,let eat there.As for Mario,he looks huge on TV.
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4-08-2010 @12:52AM bubbly2c said... Hey Hattie, once again, you meant to type 'I bet you couldn't afford to live in NYC LET ALONE eat out there.
A comment that makes almost no sense considering the subject being commented on, but to each his/her own.
Do you have any idea (no, not an opinion, an idea.....) how huge everyone looks on TV. Really, the skinny thing (size 0, size 2, etc) got started because the newspeople, the actors and even comedians had to starve themselves to look 'normal' on TV In person Emeril is almost a 'little guy with a small gut' on TV, he is one meal away from Obese. It's the media, dummie. The fact that Mario doesn't 'buy in' by starving says a lot about his self confidence......
So you and the hubbie eat out a lot. Guess those that can do (cook), those that can't eat out.
He He....
4-07-2010 @8:51PM shocked@therudeness said... Hey Hate-y, why don't you find something better to do with your time besides bashing people who are losing weight. I live in NY, I'm a size 2 and I love the guy. He's great. You obviously have no life and neither does that daughter of your's if the two of you sit around talking nasty about people. The rest of your family must hate you two.
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4-07-2010 @8:50PM Hattie Crabtree said... I do that at times,eat half of it and take the other half home for lunch the next day.Hubby and I often eat out for lunch and the lunch sizes are smaller than the dinner sizes and cheaper too.Years ago I read of an actress that had to watch her weight and she would eat half her dinner and salt the other half heavily.The salt kept her from finishing the meal.
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4-07-2010 @9:35PM jane said... eating has nothing to do with taste or tasting good flavors. to be slender you have to be selective and disciplined. it's hard to eat one scoop and not two when it tastes so good. and so.....
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4-07-2010 @10:00PM Derrel said... In no way to defend "Hattie Crabtree" ... I've seen some of her other post, she is an idiot!
But, Mario is a FAT ASS PIG there is no way around that. Bravo to the 45 pounds lost, only another 105 to go.
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4-07-2010 @10:38PM trisha said... You are missing the point here if mario who owns several restaurants says to only ea thalf of what you order and throw the rest out dont you think thats crazy? How about they cut the portions in half and lower prices then we can loose weight and save a few bucks.
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4-08-2010 @12:12AM MsBestsunshine said... Wow..forty-five pounds is impressive and he is taut!
Way to go Mario! So, Miss Hattie Crabtree, don't be a hater and crabbie! Give praise where it is due! Bravo Mario we are proud of your weight loss and keep the numbers going down to where you feel you have lost enough!
We will be following his lead and pack up half of the portion... not a knew concept but a recent shrinking example of success!
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4-08-2010 @12:38AM bubbly2c said... Yeah, Hattie, we got that you are a hater and a Bad speller. Maybeeeee if you would proof read your comments and think about what you are saying before you post, it would be better. But I know that when a southern lady goes mean, she goes really mean. Isn't it in your part of the country where the honorary title of Big Daddy got started? (Tennessee Williams, etc. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) . Guess your daughter had to give you some juicy gossip about the celebrities.....
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4-08-2010 @12:50AM Hattie Crabtree said... Could care less what you think bubbly or bubba.NYC is full of celebs.Welcome to the internet.
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4-08-2010 @2:29AM Vickie said... I agree with the one who commented on your momma mispelling your name...should be Hateful CrabbieTrees. If your girl saw him eating Vietnamese food don't you think that proves the point? Afterall, I've never seen fat Vietnamese people, have you? Their food is super tasty, and super low in fat and carbs because they feel it's shameful to be fat, and you know how important shame is to Asian people...they avoid it at all costs. I also agree with the guy who keeps correcting your spelling...slow your roll and put your thoughts together before 7million people judge you by the only thing they know about you...your face on the internet is your spelling and grammar...Hope you lighten up and quit being sooooo judgemental.
4-08-2010 @1:12AM Cheffie RJ said... Never trust a skinny chef !! WTG Mario !!
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4-08-2010 @2:19AM Pete said... Derrel: You suck! Mario is the best !!
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4-08-2010 @2:51AM Lydia said... Mario's da bomb...can't wait to see the incredible
food extravaganza court that he comes up with;
love him. And, Mario w/ Meryl or Jack, doesn't get any
better than that.
Congrats on shedding the 45 -- feel good 'ts what really counts!
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4-08-2010 @5:58AM Joella said... Congrads to you Mario! I enjoyed watching you on the Food Network and was saddened when they took you off, at least in my area. Great going on the 45 pounds - you are an inspiration to people like me who want to loose weight but are afraid of what sagging skin will look like. Now I know if I exercise - it will be TIGHT and RIGHT!
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