Mario Batali on Paula Deen, Crocs, and Gordon Ramsay

Chef Mario Batali was the latest guest on Eric Ripert's YouTube show On The Table. They cooked food and talked about many things, including Batali's fashion sense, grease queen Paula Deen's appearance on The Chew immediately after her diabetes/pharma deal announcement, and Gordon Ramsay. Select quotes and the video right this way:

On fashion:

Eric Ripert: What is the story of the short pants and the crocs? Was it a way of making a statement or being provocative?
Mario Batali: I don't think my fashion or lack thereof was intentionally provocative. I think what I realized as an owner of my own place, I could do whatever I wanted, which included playing Led Zeppelin at volume seven in the dining room, or in the kitchen. But you could wear whatever you wanted as long as it wasn't dangerous. I mean clearly, the traditional toque and dressing is protection so you don't get burned. It was just about comfort, it wasn't about fashion. Now of course, I'm a fashion icon. That was a joke, right, you're supposed to laugh when I say that.

On Paula Deen's appearance on The Chew:

Ripert: ... I saw something that was a little bit controversial: Paula Deen... She comes on the show, guys like Anthony Bourdain are very animated about it, they think that she's full of shit. And she's taking advantage, and she's a business woman and so on. And she came on your show and she was very welcomed by you guys.
Batali: It's controversial to people think that she kinda pulled a scam on America. But when a woman comes to you, and she's clearly under stress, is your response to her, "Shut the fuck up, lady"? No, you put your arm around her. Because we're chefs. We take care of people. We don't shut people down.

On Gordon Ramsay:

Batali (Ripert is publicly not a fan of Ramsay): He's just playing a role. He's a TV guy. He's like playing the bad guy in Macbeth. That's just the role he's got. I don't think he's like that honestly.

Video: Mario Batali "Cin Cin Mother F*cker" with Eric Ripert & Sicilian Lifeguards

· Mario Batali "Cin Cin Mother F*cker" with Eric Ripert & Sicilian Lifeguards [YouTube]
· All Eric Ripert Coverage on Eater [-E-]
· All Mario Batali Coverage on Eater [-E-]