You’re invited to have your tastebuds tantalized by Mario Batali—a chef who believes that olive oil is as precious as gold, shorts are acceptable attire for every season, and food, like most things, is best when left to its own simple beauty.

Mario, together with his business partner Joe Bastianich, create magic night after night in his many twelve hotspots in New York City, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Their fl agship restaurant is the award-winning Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca in Greenwich Village; however Mario is also the chef/owner of six other enormously successful restaurants in New York City. But his success isn’t limited to there. Along with a recent venture—a trattoria in Port Chester, New York— the duo has made several west coast ventures, including restaurants in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Mario is the recipient of many accolades, including those from GQ Magazine, the James Beard Foundation, and D’Artagnan Cervena Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America. He’s authored Simple Italian Food; Mario Batali Holiday Food; The Babbo Cookbook; Molto Italiano: 327 Simple Italian Recipes; Mario Tailgates NASCAR Style; and Mario Batali: Italian Grilling. He also has a PBS series, Spain…On the Road Again, with co-stars Mark Bittman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Spanish actress Claudia Bassols. The show follows the foursome’s adventures as they travel and eat their way through Spain.