Batali, Bastianich Appearing Together in Washington, D.C.
Friday, June 08, 2007 | posted by Mike
Italian food and culture aficionados in and around the nation's capital look like they're in for a treat next month. The Smithsonian Institution's Resident Associate Program is featuring chefs Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich and actors Marissa Tomei and Stanley Tucci in an event called "Food, Film, and Friendship, Italian Style," which will be held on July 8th at 2pm.
According to the event's website:
Prepare to be entertained, enlightened, or just charmed as friends, colleagues, and New Yorkers—Italian American celebrity chefs Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich, and film star Marisa Tomei—share an afternoon considering the merits of Italian cuisine and why food and film make for such intriguing and delightful pairings.
During this entertaining afternoon highlighted by video clips, these stars of culinary TV and film fame talk about food and why the culinary arts have become so prominent in today’s popular culture.
Moderator Jim Bohannon, a popular radio talk-show host, brings his own special perspective to the lively discussion.
Obviously, it doesn't get much better than Mario and Lidia when you're talking about Italian celebrity chefs. But my guess is that it's going to also be a real treat to get to hear Stanley Tucci. He's a tremendous actor -- the only character I really liked in The Devil Wears Prada (Mrs. TVFF made me watch it) -- and he's also a big foodie, as you could probably guess from his appearance on Mario's Italian Christmas special a few years back and his writing/directing/acting in Big Night.
Mario and Lidia are big fans of one another (and, of course, her son is Mario's partner in many of his restaurant endeavors), so you can expect a lot of love in the room for this one.
The event will take place at GWU's Lisner Auditorium and tickets can be purchased at the website above.
Labels: Lidia Bastianich, Mario Batali
