The passion of the Italian or the Italian-American population is endless for food and lore and everything about it. – Mario Batali
I like cast iron coated with enamel for longevity and forgiveness if I happen to take my eyes off the prize while pouring Chianti. – Mario Batali
As they say in Italy, Italians were eating with a knife and fork when the French were still eating each other. The Medici family had to bring their Tuscan cooks up there so they could make something edible. – Mario Batali
Working at the Food Bank with my kids is an eye-opener. The face of hunger isnt the bum on the street drinking Sterno its the working poor. They dont look any different, they dont behave any differently, theyre not really any less educated. They are incredibly less privileged, and thats it. – Mario Batali
Southeast Asia food uses many different types of spices which are quite new to me, like the curry leaves which I saw at the Kreta Ayer wet market in Chinatown. With such spices used in cooking, this usually imparts a strong aroma to Southeast Asian food, which appeals to the senses. – Joel Robuchon