Joe Bastianich Explained

Joe Bastianich
Education:Boston College
Birth Name:Joseph Bastianich
Birth Date:17 September 1968
Birth Place:Queens, New York
Ratings:Michelin stars
Alma Mater:Boston College (BA)
Style:Italian
Signature:Joe Bastianich firma.svg

Joseph Bastianich (born September 17, 1968) is an American restaurateur, author and television personality. He, along with his mother and business partner Lidia Bastianich, co-owns thirty restaurants in four countries, including Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles, which the owners expanded in 2010. Earlier that same year, they teamed up with businessman Oscar Farinetti to bring Eataly, an upscale food and wine market, to Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, London and Stockholm.

Early life and education

Joseph Bastianich was born on September 17, 1968, in Astoria, Queens,[1] to Istrian Italian immigrants Felice and Lidia Bastianich.[2] His parents were born in Istria (now in Croatia) and moved to the United States in 1958 during the large Istrian exodus. While Italian by nationality, public DNA tests have shown that Joe's family on his mother's side is largely of Eastern European and Southeastern European descent. His mother has stated that she feels very Italian, but that she relates to her Slavic roots too.[3] Raised working in his parents' Italian restaurant Felidia in Manhattan, he attended Fordham Preparatory School before attending Boston College, where he studied and earned a degree in finance.[4] [5]

Career

Restaurateur

After spending a year on Wall Street as a bond trader, he gave up his newly launched career and ventured into the food industry.[6] He took an extended trip to Italy. In 1993, he opened Becco (Italian for 'peck', 'nibble', 'savor'), an Italian restaurant with his mother, Lidia Bastianich. He then partnered with Mario Batali to open Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, an Italian restaurant that gained the prestigious three stars from The New York Times,[7] the first Italian restaurant to gain the award in 40 years. Babbo also has earned one Michelin star. Together they opened seven more restaurants in New York: Lupa, Esca, Casa Mono, Bar Jamon, Otto, Del Posto and Eataly (an Italian marketplace). In 2010, Del Posto received a four star review from The New York Times,[8] one of only five restaurants in New York to win that award.[9] Their culinary empire has expanded to 10 restaurants in New York, four restaurants in Las Vegas, three restaurants in Los Angeles, two restaurants in Singapore, one Italian market in Chicago, one Italian market in Boston, one Italian market in London, and two restaurants in Hong Kong. After being accused of sexual harassment, Batali gave up his restaurants, selling his shares to Bastianich and his sister Tanya Bastianich Manuali.[10] Otto Enoteca Pizzeria closed during the coronavirus pandemic. When it closed, TimeOut wrote "it was the type of place that was nice yet casual enough to go on any night of the week with plenty of tables the white marble-covered enoteca (offering wine, cheese and salumi) and the more formal dining area focusing on pastas and pizzas. We'll also miss the olive oil gelato."

Bastianich has co-authored two award-winning books on Italian wine, and his memoir, Restaurant Man, became a New York Times Best Seller within a week of its release in May 2012.[11]

Television

Bastianich was a judge on the American MasterChef series broadcast by Fox[12] until it took too much of his time,[13] and MasterChef Junior until he was replaced on both series by Christina Tosi in the spring of 2015 after he exited the franchise in November 2014. However, he eventually returned to temporarily judge Season 6 of MasterChef Junior on March 2, 2018[14] and has returned to the judging panel as a full-time judge on MasterChef since season 9, which debuted in June 2018. He was also a judge on the Italian version of the program. MasterChef Italia shown on Sky Uno for its first 8 seasons.[15] In May 2019, Bastianich announced his departure from MasterChef Italia in order to dedicate himself to his passion for music. In mid-September of the same year, Bastianich released his first album, titled "Aka Joe". In late January 2020, he will star in a musical concert tour around Italy, featuring his "New York Stories" album.[16] [17] [18]

He has also guest starred as a guest judge on MasterChef Canada on Season 1, Episode 14.[19] He co-starred alongside Tim Love and Antonia Lofaso in the American reality show Restaurant Startup on CNBC, for which he is the executive producer along with Endemol Shine North America.[20]

Bastianich also made a special appearance in the 2015 television film as a judge in a fictional season of MasterChef Junior.[21]

From March 22, 2016, he presented, with Guido Meda and Davide Valsecchi, the first edition of Top Gear Italia. He also served as a judge on the judging panel of Italia's Got Talent and Family Food Fight Italia, airing on Sky Uno in the spring of 2020.[22]

In a 2018 episode of MasterChef Italia, Bastianich made several jokes at the expense of Chinese men to Asian women giving him a manicure and pedicure at a beauty salon in Milan's Chinatown.[23] [24] When asked by the blog Grub Street for comment, Bastianich responded that "this was a scripted segment shot in a Milan nail salon that I've gone to regularly. I know the women, and we were given the questions to discuss in advance. That said, it's clear that some of what I said was in poor taste and not reflective of my views. I'm sorry I said those things."[25]

In 2024, Bastianich competed in season 11 of The Masked Singer as "Spaghetti & Meatballs". He was eliminated on "Billy Joel Night".[26]

Restaurants

Batali and Bastianich Hospitality Group own several restaurants mostly in New York City and Los Angeles, including Becco in NYC, Chi Spacca and Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Bastianich lives in New York City, with his wife, Deanna, and their children, Olivia, Ethan, and Miles.[44] He speaks Italian.[45]

Legal issues

Starting in 2015, several employees at Batali & Bastianich alleged sexual harassment against Mario Batali.[46] The Attorney General of New York subsequently began an investigation and found a culture of widespread sexual harassment and retaliation at the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group. In March 2019, Batali surrendered ownership of his stakes in Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group, a partnership between Batali and the Bastianich family, including Joe and Lidia Bastianich.[47] In 2019, Bastianich and Batali reached a $600,000 sexual harassment settlement to at least 20 former employees.[48] [49] [50] The Bastianiches said in 2019 that B&B Hospitality Group's name will change,[51] and by July 2019, it had changed to Pasta Resources.[52]

Controversies

In a segment of Masterchef Italia, he made some racist and sexist remarks towards Chinese workers at a nail salon by making suggestive comments and calling Chinese men "inadequate in certain situations".[53] In another interview he also said that Italian restaurant customers are idiotic.[54]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010–present MasterChef Himself / Judge / Guest Judge 208 episodes
2011–2019 MasterChef Italia Himself / Judge 85 episodes
2013–2018 MasterChef Junior Himself / Judge 36 episodes
2014 MasterChef Canada Himself / Guest Judge 3 episodes
2014 Restaurant Startup Himself
2020–2021 Italia's Got Talent Himself / Judge 3 episodes
2016 Top Gear Italy Himself 6 episodes
2023 Call My Agent - Italy! Himself Episode: Pierfrancesco e Anna
2024 The Masked Singer Himself/Spaghetti & Meatballs Season 11 contestant; episode: Group C Premiere: Billy Joel Night
2024 L'isola dei famosi Himself Contestant

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Passion for Food Adjusts to Fit Passion for Running . . Christine . Yi . 2008-10-28.
  2. Book: Current Biography Yearbook 2011. 2011. H.W. Wilson. Ipswich, Massachusetts. 9780824211219. 50–54. Bastianich, Joseph. https://archive.org/details/currentbiography0000unse_z0h6/page/50.
  3. Flight . Finding Your Roots. Rachel. Dretzin. Leslie Asako. Gladsjo. Dyllan. McGee . Peter. Kunhardt. Stephen. Segaller. PBS. November 2020.
  4. Web site: Joe Bastianich – Italian Journal . 2023-11-18 . en-US.
  5. Web site: Joseph F. Bastianich, Class of 1985, P '18, '20 . 2023-11-18 . www.fordhamprep.org . en-US.
  6. https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9503E5D61339F933A25752C0A960958260 Passing the Toque: For a New Generation, Hospitality Is Destiny
  7. News: Arias From the Kitchen As the Dining Room Rocks . . Frank . Bruni . 2004-06-09.
  8. News: A Modern Italian Master . . Sam . Sifton . 2010-09-29.
  9. News: Four-Star Restaurants in New York. The New York Times . 23 January 2018. 10 February 2018.
  10. Web site: Durkin. Erin. 2019-03-06. Mario Batali gives up his restaurants a year after sexual assault allegations. 2022-01-11. the Guardian.
  11. News: The New York Times . Chefs Find Winner's Circle Familiar Turf . 2008-06-11 .
  12. News: . New York . Hinckley . David . Sob stories, bad auditions: Gordon Ramsay's new 'MasterChef' is like 'American Idol' for foodies . 2010-07-26 .
  13. News: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Owen . Rob . TV Q&A: 'Ellen' moving to WTAE, 'Masterchef' and PBS self-censorship . 2015-07-10.
  14. News: Meet the 6 Chicago-area kids competing on 'MasterChef Junior'. Chicago Tribune. February 26, 2018. February 26, 2018.
  15. Web site: I giudici di MasterChef Italia 7 . masterchef.sky.it . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171123005635/http://masterchef.sky.it/mc7/giudici/ . 2017-11-23.
  16. Web site: JOE BASTIANICH: A Gennaio in concerto a Milano e Roma . 12 November 2019 .
  17. Web site: Joe Bastianich leaves Masterchef. unravelmalta.com.
  18. Web site: Aka Joe di Joe Bastianich: La nostra intervista . 13 September 2019 .
  19. Web site: Youdan . Caroline . 2014-04-23 . Masterchef Canada Recap, episode 14: "I will shed blood, sweat and tears to win this title" . 2023-11-18 . Toronto Life . en-US.
  20. Web site: 2015-11-18. New Season of CNBC's 'Restaurant Startup' is Back Wednesday, January 6 with Bigger Deals than Ever Before. 2022-01-11. CNBC.
  21. Web site: American Girl Flick Captures Timeless Drama of MasterChef Junior. Galarza. Daniela. 8 April 2015. Eater. 10 June 2015.
  22. Web site: Joe Bastianich: "Vi racconto la New York sparita tra canzoni e aneddoti" . 12 May 2019 .
  23. Web site: Samson . Carl . MasterChef Judge Humiliates Asian Women, Says Chinese Men 'Have Some Defects' . NextShark . 23 June 2023 . en . 23 January 2018.
  24. Web site: Erway . Cathy . Restaurants (Still) Have a Racism Problem, and Joe Bastianich Is Proof . Grub Street . 23 June 2023 . en-us . 19 January 2018.
  25. Web site: New Video Shows Restaurateur Joe Bastianich Making Racist, Sexist Comments on Italian TV. Tishgart. Sierra. 17 January 2018. Grub Street. 19 July 2018.
  26. Web site: 'The Masked Singer' Reveals Identity of Spaghetti & Meatballs: Here Is the Celebrity Under the Costume. Variety. Michael. Schneider. March 20, 2024. May 30, 2024.
  27. Web site: Bar Jamon. Casamononyc. October 30, 2023.
  28. Web site: Becco. Becco nyc. October 30, 2023.
  29. Web site: Birreria. Serra by Birreria. October 30, 2023.
  30. Web site: Casa Mono. Casamononyc. October 30, 2023.
  31. Web site: Chi Spacca. Chispacca. October 30, 2023.
  32. Web site: Eataly Nyc Flatiron. eataly.com. October 30, 2023.
  33. Web site: ESCA. New York Magazine. 20 February 2019. October 30, 2023.
  34. Web site: Lidias. Lidias Kansas City. October 30, 2023.
  35. Web site: Lupa. Lupa restaurant. October 30, 2023.
  36. Web site: Mozza2Go. Pizzeriamozza. October 30, 2023.
  37. Web site: Cividale del Friuli. City Seeker. October 30, 2023.
  38. Web site: Joe's American BBQ. Joesamericanbbq. October 30, 2023.
  39. Web site: Osteria Mozza. Osteriamozza. October 30, 2023.
  40. Web site: Pizzeria Mozza. pizzeriamozza. October 30, 2023.
  41. Web site: Tarry Wine. Terrysnyc. October 30, 2023.
  42. Web site: Tarry Lodge. Bandbgroup.wpengine. October 30, 2023.
  43. Web site: Tarry Lodge. Opentable. October 30, 2023.
  44. Web site: Resnick . Leah . 2021-12-16 . Joe Bastianich's Transformation Is Seriously Turning Heads . 2023-11-18 . Mashed . en-US.
  45. Web site: Roxborough . Scott . 2014-10-15 . MIPCOM: 'MasterChef' Judge Joe Bastianich Launches Italian Production Company . 2023-11-18 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  46. Web site: Crowley . Chris . More Employees Speak Out About Harassment at Batali and Bastianich's Restaurants . Grub Street . 23 June 2023 . en-us . 22 December 2015.
  47. News: Mario Batali Exits His Restaurants . Moskin . Julia . 2019-03-06 . . 2019-03-07. en-US. 0362-4331.
  48. Web site: Dangor . Graison . Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich Settles Sexual Harassment And Discrimination Case For $600,000 . 23 June 2023 . Forbes . en.
  49. Web site: Adams . Erika . 23 July 2019 . State Attorney General Reaches $600,000 Settlement in Batali and Bastianich Sexual Harassment Investigation . 23 June 2023 . Eater NY . en.
  50. Web site: Musumeci . Natalie . Mario Batali and his former partners will have to pay $600,000 to their restaurant employees who said they experienced sexual harassment . 23 June 2023 . Insider . Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich will pay former employees $600,000 as part of a settlement..
  51. Mario Batali out at B&B Hospitality Group . Thorn . Bret . March 6, 2019 . . March 6, 2019.
  52. Web site: Petre . Holly . 2019-07-23 . Mario Batali, Joseph Bastianich, B&B Hospitality to pay $600,000 in settlement of sexual harassment claims . 2023-11-18 . Restaurant Hospitality . en.
  53. Web site: Restaurateur Joe Bastianich Made Racist, Sexist Comments on Italian TV . 17 January 2018 .
  54. Web site: Italian celebrity Joe Bastianich calls Italian diners "idiots" . 13 June 2013 .