Newsweek Bets on Mario Batali's Basting Brush

By JULIETTE ROSSANT The upcoming issue of Newsweek -- the people who reported on the desecration of the Holy Koran by US soldiers at Guantanamo Bay and then retracted their report -- lists a silicone basting brush by Mario Batali among the winners of its Design Dozen. (Danny Meyer of Union Square Hospitality Group and Peter Bentel of Bentel and Bentel were also mentioned for their restaurant at MOMA -- see previous article). Mario's partner is Copco, once a cast-iron cookware designer, now a leading teakettle manufacturer. Copco is not usually a headline-maker -- a recent article that circualted nationwide mentioned a bagel cutter -- but they retail in major chains such as Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Filene's, Hecht's, JC Penney's, K-Mart (look out, Martha!), Kohl's, Le Gourmet Chef, Linens 'N Things, Macy's, Meijer, Sears, Target, Wal-Mart, and Wegman's. An interesting design note from Newsweek: "He swears his is better than other celeb chefs' because'I designed everything!' " What does that say about other kitchenware -- like the forthcoming "culinary collection" by Todd English (see previoius article)? Let's see... who was Todd's partner again? Oh yes: the HSN's Joy Mangano AKA the Miracle Mop Lady. Or will Newsweek simply retract their Design Dozen choices in about two weeks? Mario certainly is a busy boy these days. Besides showbiz on the Food Network, he's got a new pizza kit, a new restaurant venture with Nancy Silverton pending called tentatively Mozza, and so on. Newsweek articles: Newsmakers: May 9 Issue The Designer Dozen The Design Dozen (p 4) Blog Talk Design Marketplace Previous articles: Emeril Lagasse: iPod ReciPods Last-Minute Mother's Day: Fresh Pasta Easter Special: Super Pastry Chef Get Your piPod for your iPlod One "Epi To Go," Please! Emeril Lagasse Lays Apple iPod Valentine's Tea: Bouquets to Drink Valentine's Knives: Cut to the Heart Todd English: Pots and Pans Pucked? Coffee Puck: Heats in Your Hands Tags: chefs --> back to superchefblog