Mario Batali: The Italian Kitchen

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Mario Answers

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I'll be answering five questions each month... and if your question is chosen you'll receive a personalized response!

Question

As a lover of all food, is there anything you just don't like?

Elizabeth
Jersey City, Ne

Answer

Durian, a nasty spikey-looking fruit from Southeast Asia. It is simply beyond me!

More Top Questions

I am making your recipe for Cannelloni al Forno. The recipe calls for 7 tablespoons butter. In the directions, you call for 1 tablespoon of the butter to be melted in a pan. I see no direction for the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter. What am I missing? Thanks--I am a big fan of you and your restaurants.

I am a cook in a resturant and I want to impress the owners. The idea is to spice up this year's menu with a ragu made with a shredded pot roast -- ever heard of this? Any advice on a cool pasta to accompany it?

I'm just learning about pizzelle and have tried one pizzelle baker but am not that satisfied with it. Do you have a favorite iron? Thank you for just being you!

Hello Mr.Batali, As an aspiring chef of 16 years old, I look up to you as inspiration for your outstanding talent and your obvious success. What would you recommend to get a solid basis for a future career in the restaurant business? How did you go about your first restaurant? What is your opinion on culinary institutes vs. less formal methods of culinary education?