Rumor: Mario Batali No Longer Affiliated with the Food Network
Wednesday, September 5th, 2007
If you’re a fan of Food Network you are no stranger to the large and jolly chef who always cooks Italian, Mario Batali. If you’re a fan of him specifically, this news may be something you do not want to hear. However, it is rumored that Mario will no longer be a part of the Food Network. Inside sources have said that they informed the chef last month that his shows, including Molto Mario, would not be renewed.
According to Page Six, when Batali was told that his shows were not being renewed, he informed the network that he would not perform on Iron Chef. At that point, the network severed the relationship. When asked for a comment, Lisa Del Colle, a network spokesperson said that Food Network does not comment on contractual agreements.
Despite the loss of his Food Network time slots, Mario has managed to do quite well for himself. In the time he was on the network, he’s received a $1 million advance for his book, Molto Italiano, as well as endorsements for plugging various products on his shows and elsewhere, such as NASCAR tailgating.
Iron Chef Mario Batali is known for his excellent Italian cooking. He makes dishes you might not always be able to pronounce, but that are certainly good enough to eat. So, when you hear his name attached to any cooking show it certainly is no big surprise. A name you might be surprised of hearing being attached to a cooking show is Gwyneth Paltrow. However, this fall Paltrow will be taking Batali on a road trip to Spain where they will be filming a cooking show together.
