Italian stereotype and attitude

[davebr]

How hard was it getting the public to accept the non-stereotypical Italian-American cooking at your restaurants?

What would you say is your greatest attribute? Did you ever think cooking would take you this far up the ladder?

[Mario Batali]

in cooking what i like to cook, i have never felt like i was out to change peoples perception of italian or any other kind of food, i simply make what i like to eat and am lucky that it seems to be what other people like to eat tooo... i have never felt missionary, more just happily cooking and continuing to learn away. sometimes surprised by the reaction to food, but never disheartened

i think my greatest attribute is my optimism and positive outlook on the gift of life and i am not sure where i am on the ladder but am just as happy to be on a rung

mb