Chewing the Fat: Batali and Bourdain on Fatherhood
Mario Batali and Tony Bourdain are a couple of champion fat chewers who know and like and respect each other a great deal, so we thought why not bring them together for the next set of Chewing the Fat episodes. Over a glass of wine and some tasty nibbles Mario and Tony discuss everything from the pleasures of fatherhood to what they would eat for their last supper. They truly enjoy each other's company, and their conversation turns out to be revealing, intimate, and surprisingly moving. The first webisode finds Mario getting Tony to admit that the birth of his daughter has forever changed him.
The new season of Tony's show No Reservations begins January 5th at 10 p.m. ET on the Travel Channel, so consider these Chewing the Fat episodes to be an appetizer for that. Mario's show, Spain...On the Road Again, co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Mark Bittman, continues on PBS.
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24 Comments:
Took him a lot longer than most to go from cool to human. Human is delightful Tony, isn't it?
PerkyMac at 8:56AM on 12/18/08
I miss Molto Mario. I learned my first Italian phrase from Mario, Torniamo Subito!
JustinH at 9:14AM on 12/18/08
Justin, if you get the Fine Living Network, Molto Mario is in re-runs on it.
ronzoni at 9:36AM on 12/18/08
I love that Mario unabashedly continues stuffing his face while Tony is speaking from his heart. "Yes, it's amazingly life changing, isn't it....om nom nom nom nom..." Now THAT's a true foodie. Great clip, guys...thanks for sharing!
juliebugsmama at 9:37AM on 12/18/08
Thanks! I didn't realize that. I DVR the old Iron Chef on FLN. I'll have to add MM.
JustinH at 10:27AM on 12/18/08
tony, PLEASE don't become the bill cosby of the cooking world. retain a hint of badassery, just for me? :)
sarahlucy at 10:37AM on 12/18/08
is anyone else having a problem with the audio? i can barely hear it, even at full volume.
sloppy at 11:27AM on 12/18/08
juliebugsmama: anytime anyone uses 'nom nom nom' i can't help but practically fall on the floor, laughing. glad i wasn't the only one to notice mario's gusto.
right off tho, i nearly punched my computer screen. mario started talking while chewing and that has to be my single biggest pet peeve. i literally have to restrain myself from knocking people OUT when they do that around me.
men lose all their hotness for me when they become husbands and/or dads...i mean, i'm happy for them, but the appeal is gone.
was hoping this would be more like the alton brown videos where they actually talk about food. (or better yet, just BE another alton brown video...lol.)
gastronomeg at 11:29AM on 12/18/08
have to agree with gastronomeg I love Mario and Tony but really wanted more Alton!
huneybumper at 11:39AM on 12/18/08
man I dont know what Tony is talking about Yo Gabba Gabba is the best kids show out there!
Sigilum at 12:12PM on 12/18/08
Once--just ONCE--I'd love to see Tony Bourdain do a Yo Gabba Gabba guest appearance. I think my head would explode with the sheer irony and silliness of it all.
missmanders at 12:49PM on 12/18/08
I really enjoyed their heart felt conversation. Thanks guys!
Laurel E at 1:41PM on 12/18/08
It was funny to watch Mario stuff his face the whole time (makes me think of my son with popcorn), but I also loved the fact that he wrapped a slice of meat (prociutto?) around a breadstick and handed it to Tony. Always making sure the other guy is taken care of from what I've heard. I hope to hear what kinds of foods they would like their kids to eat.
dhorst at 1:45PM on 12/18/08
I think that was less making sure the other guy is taken care of than...I better get Tony to eat some of this otherwise this video is just going to be me stuffing my face the whole time.
j/k. Mario is awesome. I don't think Bourdain is gonna lose his "badassery" and become Bill Cosby. For one, he'll never like Jello enough.
wunami at 3:31PM on 12/18/08
One point, which Mario ought to know, since his boys are nearing the teenage years: No, Tony, your coolness level does not matter to an infant, and a baby thinks you're cool no matter what. Then the little rug rats turn 12 and they won't be seen with you in public. And it's not like you could try to become cooler than you are. It's that coolness, because you are a parent, is impossible. So treasure these years, Tony.
annien at 11:21PM on 12/18/08
@wunami~ funny funny.
dhorst at 8:48AM on 12/19/08
Oh how I heart Mario!
LizSherman at 11:40AM on 12/19/08
(Yawn) Call me when they talk about food.
chanterelle at 8:11PM on 12/19/08
My 16-year-old son Adam says Tony is missing a certain sense of ... [he searched his brain for a word] ... Cosbyness.
LunaPierCook at 8:17PM on 12/19/08
i love anythony!
mhurst826 at 8:57PM on 12/20/08
The audio is way too soft. I have my speakers turned up to the loudest they go and still can't really hear the conversation. Please please fix the sound...don't want to miss the conversation.
marians at 9:25AM on 12/22/08
These two guys make TV so much less painful, pleasant, rich even. I still think TB is ever the urban hipster poser/goofball, but I mean that in a good way...
Mario is nom nom nom salt of the earth perfection.
Incidentally, who is Madame Bourdain??
Pointy at 2:49PM on 12/22/08
@gastronomeg, men get hotter to me when I see them being good dads and husbands! It's something you only appreciate as a mom, I guess. :) Kids, family, food, life all one. All together. I am really just an Italian grandmother at heart, I guess.
ExpatChef at 5:15PM on 12/22/08
1:56 is all we get???
shiso at 11:35PM on 12/22/08