Culinary Charisma with Mario Batali and SAMS



Leslie Chihuly, Colette Courtion, JJ McKay

Last evening, Ken and I attended "An Intimate Evening with Mario Batali" event at the Seattle Art Museum.  It was organized by the Seattle Art Museum Supporters (SAMS) group whose president is  friend, Colette Courtion.

We began in the South Hall where we sipped on Rosemary Mandarin Sparkle specialty drinks, recipe courtesy of Kathy Casey, and excellent Italian wines courtesy of David LeClaire and Wine World while we were photographed with Mario Batali and special guests Dale Chihuly and Thierry Rautureau. 

Ken Hatch with Kathy Casey

In addition to the three featured amigos, we visited with lots of friends including Leslie Chihuly, Douglas Howe & Robin DuBrin, Sherryl Wilson, Jolie & Gatis Roze, Ernie Pino & Richard Gray, Mardi Newman, Glenna Olson, JJ McKay, Pat Wallace, Duell Fisher, Pamela Ebsworth, Barney Ebsworth, Kate Janeway & Howard Wright, Connie Blumenthal, Janet Ketcham, and Betty Lou & Irwin Treiger.

Thierry Rautureau, Mario Batali, Dale Chihuly

From there we proceeded to the Arnold Board Room for a family style seated dinner where we were seated at the Tuscany table with our table mates, Leslie & Dale Chihuly, Andrew Taper, Gemma Daggatt, JJ McKay and Pat Wallace.  Colette welcomed us thanking the evening sponsor, Michele Havens of Northern Trust and then Mario Batali introduced the food menu items while David LeClaire introduced the wine pairings. 

Heather Sullivan, Darren Pym

We began with lightly pickled vegetables and the incredible artisan meats from Salumi, the Italian Salumeria owned by Mario's parents, Marilyn & Armandino Batali which was paired with an extraordinary 2006 Antinori Marchese Chianti Reserva.  The next course was Strangulapreti alla Sorrentina which was homemade potato gnocchi with tomato, basil and mozzarella.  Mario explained that the translation of this item means "strangle the priest" which refers to the story that claims the only time they could keep the priest quiet was while he was eating this delicious gnocchi.

The main course was a very flavorful Arista alla Porchetta served with a sausage, brussell sprouts, pecorino and thyme stuffing paired with a 2008 Antinori Il Bruciato and followed by a braised fennel salad served with gorgonzola crostini.

Steve Pool, Mario Batali, Thierry Rautureau

We were then whisked downstairs via the elevator to the Plestcheeff Auditorium for a presentation by Mario Batali and Thierry Rautureau moderated by Steve Pool of KOMO.  Steve got one of the biggest laughs of the night when he exclaimed that he has the best job in the world since he is wrong 80% of the time but gets paid for being wrong anyway.  Mario and Thierry shared fascinating comments and tidbits as they discussed their views and some of the pros and cons of French and Italian cooking.  Others we saw and talked with in the auditorium included Heather Sullivan, Darren Pym, Jamee Nunnelee, Patricia Stone, and Nona Battistella.

Andrew Taper

The evening ended with dessert, live music by Mark Soltys and the Soul Siren Band and dancing in the Brotman Forum.  As the SAMS group promised, it really was an extraordinary epicurean event!  Congratulations to Colette and all of the SAMS members who made it happen!