Podcast appearances and mentions of mark ladner

guest speaker Dr. Mark Ladner

Longtime friend and accomplished chef Mark Ladner joins Jordan Salcito for the season finale of Opening Up. The duo dives into their experiences working in the NYC restaurant industry, where to get the best bites in Italy, and the great debate between using fresh vs dried pasta.

In culinary circles, chef Mark Ladner is widely admired for his versatility in the realm of Italian food: He created the very distinct menus for restaurants ranging from Lupa to Otto to Del Posto to the fast-casual Pasta Flyer. Currently, he's culinary director of Moby's restaurant in East Hampton, NY.Andrew drove out to Moby's to catch up with Mark on the day he staged a one-night-only Italian barbecue--a special event created in partnership with our own promotional partner S.Pellegrino. As always, this analytic and introspective chef had many thoughtful things to share about cooking in general, and about the moment we all find ourselves in today.Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more. Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.

Last week, I promised that you'd get to hear why Mark Ladner decided to walk away from Del Posto, which was awarded four stars by the New York Times, to open a fast-casual pasta joint, and this week I make good on that promise.  In this week's episode, Ladner and I discuss how he came up with the idea for his start-up, Pasta Flyer, and the challenges specific to figuring out how to make a good pasta that cooks up fast. He also reflects on how the experience is a kind of culmination of all the work he's done and everything he's been through in his life to date, from his first cooking jobs in the 1980s to working for Mario Batali, and how he considers his long and successful career in fine dining "a detour." As Ladner says, "I don't know how I necessarily got here, but this is what I was supposed to do." But there's more (as there always is on Special Sauce): Ladner lets us in on the answers to some last-supper questions–who'd be invited, what they'd have–and the surprising dish he cooks up for himself after a long day slinging pasta.

In the first of my two-part interview with chef Mark Ladner, we focus on his indirect yet hard-earned path to helming Del Posto, the New York Times four-starred restaurant he ran for twelve years. And why did the only chef to earn those four stars by cooking Italian food leave that palatial restaurant kitchen to open up a fast-casual joint where the pasta cooks in ten seconds? Framed against this cosmic question, he speaks volumes about where food is headed in America in his typically low-key and thoughtful way. You'll have to wait until next week's episode to hear the answer in its entirety, but it's worth the wait. 

Show Notes: Chef Shuffles of Jonathan Benno & James Kent: www.grubstreet.com/2017/03/two-of-…estaurants.html Lucky Peach Shutters: www.nytimes.com/2017/03/17/dining…closing.html?_r=0 Mark Ladner's Pasta Spot: ny.eater.com/2017/3/29/15114174…c-menu-mark-ladner World's 50 Best 2017 51-100: www.theworlds50best.com/asia/en/asias…s.html#t41-50 James Beard Finalists: www.eater.com/2017/3/15/14913546…taurant-chef-media LOGIC: play.spotify.com/artist/4xRYI6Vqp…&utm_medium=open

The Front Burner returns after our fall hiatus with Mark Ladner, who's moving on from his perch as chef of the four-star Del Posto to launch Pasta Flyer, a fast-casual concept he's been developing for years. Mark shares the rigors of the fine-dining life, the Kickstarter experience he undertook to fund his new venture, and whether or not he's got butterflies in his stomach as he prepares to take the leap. In our second segment, with one week til inauguration, we discuss the pros and cons of chefs going political.

This week on Cooking Issues, Dave and Nastassia are joined by Mark Ladner of Del Posto and Michael R. Wilson to talk about their co-authored Del Posto Cookbook, the Spinzall centrifuge, temperament in a restaurant kitchen, Thanksgiving dinner, and more. Plus, bid on the opportunity to be a special guest on an episode of Cooking Issues as part of Heritage Radio Network's Charity Buzz! Hurry, the auction ends at 3:02 p.m. EST on Thursday, December 1st!

Chef Mark Ladner joins Dorothy Cann Hamilton for a special interview on Chef’s Story, recorded at the USA Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015! Chef Ladner touches on his childhood, his formative food memories, his career trajectory and his advice for aspiring chefs. He also explains what drove him to open his pop-up gluten-free pasta concept, Pasta Flyer. Mark Ladner is the James Beard award winning chef of Del Posto. Chef Ladner’s education began in Cambridge, MA at independently owned and operated pizza counters, followed by formal culinary schooling at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. He moved to NYC in the early 90’s and worked with several well-regarded restaurateurs, before meeting Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich and opening Babbo Ristorante as Sous Chef in 1998. Ladner has since opened Lupa Osteria Romana (1999), Otto Enoteca Pizzeria (2002) and Del Posto (2005) as Chef/Partner at each restaurant. Mark co-authored Molto Gusto (Ecco, 2010) with Mario Batali. This program was brought to you by Whole Foods Market. “I really truly believe that as long as you can make food taste the way that you like, I don’t think you need to spend a tremendous amount of time continuing to polish your culinary skills. You can waste a lot of time spelunking down the rabbit hole for culinary greatness when, in this day and age, from an entrepreneurial and business perspective there’s such a broad range of skill sets necessary to be successful in this industry. Spending too much time trying to perfect a bite of food might not be the best use of your time.” [11:00] “Once you have your own kitchen it doesn’t necessarily mean you stop learning.” [22:00] “There are two things I’m adamant about. One is a monkish devotion to pasta – specifically the cooking and saucing of rather than the making or stuffing of. The execution in the last several minutes is something people don’t spend enough time obsessing over. Two is knowing it’s important to remove as much variable for error from the equation before service so you can just focus on service.” [30:00] “I don’t consider myself to be an elitist person. I need a part of me that’s able to embrace a more populist culture.” [46:00] –Mark Ladner on Chef’s Story

It’s summertime and the weather is hot in NYC, which means Dave Arnold is fresh off a sweaty bike ride and ready to answer your questions on a brand new episode of Cooking Issues! This week, he’s joined by friend, Executive Chef at Del Posto and proprietor of Pasta Flyer, Mark Ladner. Imagine the warmth of Grandma’s cooking transported into an animated quick service setting. Over the past three years – this is the idea that chef Mark Ladner has been researching and he’s finally ready to introduce it to the world. Tune in and hear what plans he has in store for Pasta Flyer – and make sure to donate to the Kickstarter page (3 days left!) if you want to see quick service pasta in your neighborhood. Today’s program was brought to you by The International Culinary Center. “We decided to focus all our energy on making the absolute best gluten free pasta. I feel like I’ve been able to simulate an al dente texture in the gluten free pasta, which is difficult.” [05:00] ” [05:00] –Mark Ladner on Cooking Issues

Imagine the warmth of Grandma's cooking transported into an animated quick service setting. Over the past three years – this is the idea that chef Mark Ladner has been researching and he's finally ready to introduce it to the world. On a very special episode of The Main Course, host Patrick Martins chats with Mark Ladner about his quick-service gluten-free pasta restaurant, which he's calling Pasta Flyer. Mark is launching a Kickstarter to fund the project, and on The Main Course he's giving listeners an inside look at his plans for Pasta Flyer. Tune in and find out why he's decided to make the pasta gluten-free, what inspired him to explore quick service restaurant concepts and how he plans to execute this idea. Today's program was brought to you by Edwards VA Ham. “Our goal is to have a steaming bowl of pasta in your hands in three minutes.” [20:00] “It's about trying to make food that's healthful for young people, people on the go and families that utilized fresh healthy ingredients that weren't over processed. It's not like we're trying to open 1,000 units – we still want a sense of community.” [22:00] “We would never skip on the food cost because the food is what we sell.” [22:00] “We're working on keeping standards high with food that travels.” [27:00] –Mark Ladner on The Main Course

Mark Ladner, chef at Del Posto, joins Dave, Nastassia, and Piper for this week’s Cooking Issues! Dave talks about his upcoming trip to Senegal, and the importance of learning about authentic cuisine from different regions around the world. Dave revisits a question about rice noodles, and then delves into different types of miso. How can one substitute duck fat into baking recipes? Later, Mark weighs in on the bacon vs. pancetta debate. What does he prefer when making a carbonara? The cast tastes different olive oils to decide what temperatures and cooking times cause flavor to degrade. Want to try Mark’s Italian-style barbecue? Buy your tickets here! This program has been sponsored by Underground Meats. “Poorly-made industrial pancetta is absolute garbage. It’s too salty; just stick with the bacon for carbonara.” [22:00] — Mark Ladner on Cooking Issues

Patrick Martins chats with critically acclaimed chefs Mark Ladner and Brooks Headley of Del Posto on this weeks episode of The Main Course. Tune in for an all inclusive interview, spanning from their early culinary influences to their thoughts on modern cuisine and trends in the food world. Find out how becoming a 4 star restaurant changed their professional outlook, and what inspires them to continue honing their respective crafts. Hear how technology plays into their approach in the kitchen, including the recently addition of a “Super Freezer”, that can keep foods at a completely fresh state for up to 6 months. Later on the show, hear from Katy Peetz, pastry chef at Roberta's who talks about her work revolutionizing the dessert menu at Bushwick's critically acclaimed restaurant. This program was sponsored by Hearst Ranch. “[It's important] to rely on your palate instead of formulas and recipes.” “[On being a 4-star restaurant] It's pretty daunting to be honest with you. Very soon after receiving our 4th star, Brooks and I were so beside ourselves, we really didn't know quite how to digest it and I don't think we have figured it out to this day.” “Italian food for many reasons has never been perceived as being capable or deserving, at least in the Manhattan community, of a 4-star rating.” — Mark Ladner, Executive Chef of Del Posto Restaurant “I started making desserts completely by accident, it was never a planned thing.” “When it comes down to it, the guest who comes in isn't looking to check out the ego of a kitchen, they just want to have an awesome time.” “My desserts are completely Italian, though they might not be something you'd see in Italy. The inspiration, flavors and presentation are 100% Italian. I've never worked in anything but an Italian restaurant, so that's what I know.” — Brooks Headley, Pastry Chef of Del Posto Restaurant “When you go out to eat, you're eating with somebody else's palate.” — Katy Peetz on The Main Course

Mark Ladner, Executive Chef at Del Posto, makes his radio debut on this week’s episode of Snacky Tunes. Tune in as Finger on the Pulse chat with Mark about the economics of high end cuisine, “New Yorkese” cooking and the upcoming Summer BBQ Blowout party. Also on the show to perform some exclusive songs, NY-based electronic musician and singer Ducky.