Wait - Mario’s Staying at the Food Network?


Posted by Madeline Miller on Edible TV.

nullEdible TV spoke directly to the Food Network about Mario Batali’s alleged departure from the Food Network and received the following response:

“Mario Batali is still a major part of the Food Network family. He is currently in production on new episodes of ‘Iron Chef America’ and we are also still filming specials with him as well, such as last springs’ ‘Chefography.’ We support him in his outside endeavors and look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship with Mario. - Food Network Spokesperson”

So, either they figured out it was a stupid idea to let him go or he was never leaving in the first place. What do you think?



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September 8th, 2007
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Comment Number:
1
Written by:
Andreas Kummer
Posted on:
September 8, 2007 at 5:57 pm

Hi there.I don’t believe it!?!?!I don’t think he was ever leaving in the first place.I really think he’s the finest chef on TV.I always enjoy watching him and would love to meet him.Thanks Andreas :)

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
foodette
Posted on:
September 10, 2007 at 7:11 pm

I think it must have been a rumor. It’s not such an easy thing to fix - there are way too many egos in the television and the cooking worlds for him to be fired and then brought back on a week later.

Either way, I am glad. He is a good chef, and adds a lot to the network. Also, he was one of the originals!

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
Madeline Miller
Posted on:
September 10, 2007 at 10:23 pm

Well, I am now holding on to hope that he really is staying.

Comment Number:
4
Written by:
John Q Public
Posted on:
October 2, 2007 at 4:21 pm

The Food Network spokesperson comment(s) could be taken any way, he may also be stating that Mario is finishing up his contract obligations and moving on. It didn’t surprise me when Mario stubbornly resisted being a part of the Food Network after they told him they were not going to renew his Molto Mario series.

In my opinion, I think Mario Jumped the gun… Alton Brown has been involved with new shows. Bobby Flay has been involved with new shows, and it seems all the others have been involved in new shows one way or another. I think they planed on having him do a road trip or some other Italian discovery type show different from what he is already doing… and I guess, at this time Mario does not want to run around the like the rest of Food Network Stars and was comfortable just doing his little show (and Iron Chef) when all of this happened…

Any way, Good Luck Mario – Have fun at PBS.