Mario Batali Web Site: www.babbonyc.com/mariob2.html Mario Batali 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. To that end, Mario creates magic night after night in his many New York City Italian hotspots, the flagship of which is Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, an award-winning Greenwich Village dining spot where Mario has seamlessly combined traditional Italian principles with intelligent culinary adventure since June 1998.
Michael Chiarello Web Site: www.napastyle.com/michael/michael.jsp Known for Napa Valley icon, the Tra Vigne Restaurant, Chef Michael Chiarello is host of Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello on Food Network. He is also the creator of NapaStyle specialty foods and handcrafted products for kitchen, home, and garden
Rocco DiSpirito Web Site: www.roccodispirito.com Foodies across the country are embracing chef Rocco DiSpirito as one of the brightest stars of his generation, and his hard work and dedication have earned him a reputation as a highly talented chef who delights the public and restaurant critics alike. Named Food & Wine's Best New Chef 1999, nominated for a 1999 James Beard Foundation Award, and recipient of a three-star review from The New York Times, Melting Pot's Rocco has galvanized the gastronomic world with innovative culinary creations at his restaurant, Union Pacific.
Tyler Florence Web Site: www.adelade.net/tyler.html Having traveled across the country to help everyday people with their cooking challenges, Chef Tyler Florence has developed a unique perspective on how Americans like to eat and cook today. He is a champion for uncomplicated recipes, bright flavors and fresh food, which he believes is the type of cooking that comes from a "real kitchen" – a place dedicated to culinary honesty.
Giada De Laurentiis Web Site: www.foodnetwork/giadedelaurentiis Giada De Laurentiis is a private chef and caterer in Los Angeles and the founder of GDL Foods. Growing up in a large Italian family, Giada's passion for food was sparked as a child as she learned to prepare family recipes for their frequent gatherings. She became a professional chef after attending the famed Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Paris. After working in a variety of Los Angeles restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck's Spago, Giada started her own business. She's happy to share her family's secrets.
Rachael Ray Web Site: www.foodnetwork/rachaelray Rachael Ray was born into cooking. "My first vivid memory is watching Mom in a restaurant kitchen. She was flipping something with a spatula. I tried to copy her and ended up grilling my right thumb! I was 3 or 4," says Ray. "Everyone on both sides of my family cooks." Today Ray's work continues on Food Network's 30 Minute Meals, $40 a Day and Inside Dish programs. Her successful series of cookbooks, all based on the 30 Minute Meals concept, include Rachael Ray's 30-Minute Meals, The Open House Cookbook, Comfort Foods, and Veggie Meals.