Taigan Fetch Magazine by Taigan

Joe Bastianich, says he likes his “sidekick” role: his mother is chef and cookbook author Lidia Bastianich, and he and partner Mario Batali have together opened more than 20 restaurants as well as Manhattan’s dazzling Eataly market. Joe has written three books of his own, Vino Italiano and Vino Italiano Buying Guide with wine writer David Lynch, and Grandi Vini: An Opinionated Tour of Italy’s 89 Finest Wines. Another, Restaurant Man, will be out in at the beginning of May.

A few years ago, he not only lost more than 40 pounds, he became a marathon runner and Iron Man competitor. He is also a winemaker (he has three vineyards in Italy), guitarist (he is famous for putting together tasting dinners at which he pairs wine with rock and roll), and TV star (he’s a judge on Gordon Ramsey’s MasterChef). Below, he found time to chat with his friend, Fetch contributor Stephanie Maxwell (of Maxwell Aesthetics) and to choose his favorite items on Taigan:

It all started in my Nashville kitchen 10 years ago. I had the good fortune of hosting a brunch for a local wine collector and his friends when I met Joe Bastianich. I found Joe to be one of the most charismatic personalities I’ve ever met. He gave me some valuable tips for my upcoming trip to Italy where he has award-winning wineries and spends a great deal of time.

There is no doubt Joe Bastianich is busy these days. The last time we’d caught up he was training for the 2011 Ford Ironman competition in Kona, where his drink of choice was water. More recently, when we sat down for this interview, it was over a glass or three (who’s counting) of his own Vespa at Babbo.

Tell me about your upcoming book Restaurant Man.

Restaurant Man is really the story of my life in restaurants, overlaid with the evolution of the New York dining scene from the 1970′s to the present.

What did you learn from doing Master Chef?

People at home are taking an active interest in their food – where it comes from and how it is prepared. The show really helped renew my faith in American cookery. The level of talent rose significantly last season, so I’m excited to see who turns out for Season 3.

What was the most challenging part of the Ford Ironman World Championship?

The swimming. It is not my strength! I love to run, and being a city kid from Queens, I’ve always been comfortable on a bike, but the water is where I struggle.

 What do you consider your greatest achievement? 

I’d have to say my 3 beautiful children, and finishing at Kona.

Besides playing guitar, how do you unwind?

Running is how I like to start my day, and it serves as a time to clear my head. There’s also drinking wine of course, or just being in a restaurant – it doesn’t have to be mine, it can be anybody’s. I’m really quite at home in a restaurant environment.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Every morning starts with my run, and on the off day I am unable to do it, I find I’m thrown a little off balance. I also love playing guitar and singing – I try to set aside as much time for that as I can. I lived in Milan this past summer while filming MasterChef Italia and tried my hand as a Milan street busker. It was certainly an experience!

Winemaking is also a creative outlet. I actually consider winemaking to be one of the great privileges of my life. My mother and I started the Bastianich winery in Friuli Italy, where my family is from, in the 90′s. Our flagship wine is called Vespa Bianco, a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and an indigenous varietal called Picolit.

What do you value most in your friends?

Loyalty

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Perfect is boring! But I think I am most happy when surrounded by my family at our vineyard in Italy.

What is the last thing you bought?

Milk chocolate. It is my favorite snack.

What is your necessary extravagance?

White truffles and vintage champagne!

What is your favorite place in the world?

Italy.

-S.M.

 

Pictured above, Joe Bastianich in lower Manhattan and four of his favorite items from Taigan.

Clockwise, from top row, center:

Joe chose Alford and Hoff’s Eye Cream for Men to eliminates dark circles and puffiness and to reduce fine lines and crows feet. Routine use ensures a considerable eye lift and brighter tone – perfect for the hard working night owl like Joe.

Joe calls his two button suits (usually from Burberry or Ralph Lauren Black Label) armor as a New York restaurateur. To go with them, he chose de Corato’s silk ties, handmade in Italy by Marinella. The seven-fold construction is the most luxurious there is: created at the end of the 19th century, the process means that the tie is cut from a single piece of silk and folded asymmetrically upon itself seven times, which eliminates the need for an inner lining.

Joe says his favorite snack is milk chocolate. From Taigan, he chose the Milk Chocolate Mendiant Bar from Christophe Artisan Chocolates. It combines smooth milk chocolate with a mixture of nuts and fruit, including cranberries and candied orange peel.

Maybe it’s all that time spent in restaurants – of the two candles Joe chose, one is the Vanilla Tobacco-scented In the Name of Candle. The cream colored candle is in a hand-blown mercury glass jar and comes nestled in a hand-made box lined in navy velvet.

For Joe’s other Taigan choices, go to Taigan.com

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