The special "Black Friday" broadcast will encourage shopping in downtown districts throughout Northern Michigan. For culinary aficionados this will also be a unique opportunity to spend time with Mario Batali in his only Michigan appearance to sign copies and discuss his New York Times bestselling book, America—Farm to Table: Simple, Delicious Recipes Celebrating Local Farmers, which was released in October.
"When Mario reached out to us and asked that we coordinate his book signing and only Michigan appearance on his book tour we were honored," said Omelette, host of the Omelette & Friends Morning Show on WKLT. "We immediately asked that the event also promote downtown shopping and he agreed. It's no secret that Mario lives here part time and while he graciously promotes Northern Michigan every chance he gets, his schedule seldom allows for public appearances. We are very excited that during his annual family Thanksgiving visit to Northern Michigan he is taking time for this event."
Following the radio interview Chef will join Rick Coates, Omelette's co-host and producer for a Q&A inside of Horizons Books in the lower level Café. Coates—a long-time food and beverage writer, a former chef to rock stars and friend of Mario—will ask Chef Batali questions about the new America: Farm to Table book, as well as questions about cooking and food preparations tips, behind the scenes of Mario's award-winning show “The Chew,” his favorite places in Northern Michigan and more. Audience members will get an opportunity to submit questions. Seating will be available and there is no cost for the Q&A, which should begin around 9:45 am.
Copies of the 352-page cookbook, which includes brief profiles of some northern Michigan farmers, will be available for purchase for $35. Mario will also sign copies upon request. He says the book celebrates American farmers: their high-quality products and their culture, defined by hard work, integrity and pride.
“This book is a loose itinerary, or road map, that will hopefully lead you to develop relationships with local farmers, but also to enjoy the improvisational style of cooking that will elevate the flavor of the dishes you create when you buy products from a farm or at a farmers’ market and bring them directly to your table,” says Mario Batali on the book cover.
Among the featured farmers is Bardenhagen Farms in Sutton’s Bay, noted for its fruit (including cherries). Mario shares the story from Vernon to Ryan to the next generation with Ginger and her brother Chris.
In researching this latest title, Mario traveled to 14 cities across the country, interviewing chefs and their suppliers, crafting together “a highly entertaining behind-the scenes look at the business of small farming” writes Publishers Week. “The beautifully produced work at times has the feel of being two different books sewn together. And that’s not a bad thing. On one hand, celebrity master chef Batali comes through again with an inspired collection of appetizers, soups, main dishes, sandwiches, and desserts. Most of his more than 100 recipes, unsurprisingly, have an Italian spin.”
The James Beard Award Winning Mario Batali counts 24 restaurants, nine cookbooks, numerous television shows and the 50,000-square-foot Eataly marketplace among his ever-expanding empire of deliciousness.
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