Mario Batali cooks with gas, NASCAR style
Richard Petty was standing next to one of the country’s best chefs, but he wasn’t at all impressed with what he was dishing up.
It was the night before a 2004 NASCAR race at Dover (Del.) International Speedway and Petty, king of the stock car racing circuit, came to a private dinner that Food Network host, restaurateur and cookbook author Mario Batali was preparing for drivers.
The redheaded, pony-tailed culinary star’s spread included penne all’Amatriciana - pasta that’s usually tossed with guanciale, or dried, salted hog’s jowls, tomato sauce and red pepper flakes. The dish might be appreciated by the adventurous diners jamming the reservation book at Babbo, Batali’s New York Italian ristorante, but it apparently didn’t spark Petty’s appetite. more…
Hot cars, hot food: Chef Mario Batali (right) entertains NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip during practice day for the Nextel Cup race in Long Pond, Pa.
