the last magnificent

Two titans of the food world are the focus of this week's episode. First up, an Open Kitchen (non-chef) interview with Ed Levine, founder of Serious Eats and author of the new book Serious Eater: A Food Lover's Perilous Quest for Pizza and Redemption. And, from the Chef's Roll Anti-Convention in April, we are thrilled to present a tribute to legendary chef Jeremiah Tower, subject of the recent documentary The Last Magnificent, and creator of Stars and other restaurants. In addition to catching up with Jeremiah himself, Andrew spoke with 6 Stars alumni--Clark Frasier, Mark Gaier, Bruce Hill, Jule and Steve Vranian, and Lisa Sheehan--to gather their memories of working for him.

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On today's HRN Happy Hour, we're feeling bene!

Caity and Kat are joined in the studio by Patrick Martins (as always) and our special guest, Mario LaPosta, Chef of Babbo Pizzeria in Boston.

This is the final week of our winter season, so we recap the highlights of all the shows' season finales, plus a very special episode of The Front Burner in which Jimmy & Andrew interviewed Jeremiah Tower, Anthony Bourdain, and Lydia Tenaglia about the new documentary, The Last Magnificent.

We share our favorite news stories of the week, and of course we have to talk to Mike Edison on this 4/20 holiday!

Finally, we chat more with Mario about what's new in the Batali empire and ask for his food and travel tips when visiting Naples and Rome.

Mario LaPosta’s lifelong obsession with pizza started when he was a child watching the pizzaioli in his father’s hometown just north of Naples.

LaPosta began working in local pizzerias when he was fifteen years old. During his time studying hospitality at Central Connecticut State University, LaPosta worked in the kitchen at Bricco in West Hartford, one of Connecticut’s most celebrated Italian restaurants. After graduation, he moved to Italy to apprentice in Rome. From there, he moved south to the town of Piedimonte where he earned his chops at a Neapolitan-style pizzeria called Pietra di Luna.

After reading that Mario Batali was planning to open a restaurant in Westchester, New York, LaPosta contacted Batali veteran Andy Nusser. Nusser tapped LaPosta to build the pizza program at Tarry Lodge in Port Chester. Soon after it opened in 2008, Tarry Lodge was named among the best pizzerias in the country by GQ’s Alan Richman. In 2011, LaPosta opened the second location of Tarry Lodge in Westport as Chef de Cuisine.

LaPosta has competed in the World Pizza Championships in Italy finishing 10th place overall in Pizza Napoletana. He comes to Boston with fifteen years of pizza making experience, both in Italy and New England. His dedication for authentic, simple, and soulful food comes from his mother— who is an exceptional cook— and her homemade pizza.

Three of the biggest names in chef-land join us to discuss the new documentary JEREMIAH TOWER: THE LAST MAGNIFICENT, which opens in New York and Los Angeles this Friday, April 21. Executive producer Anthony Bourdain, director Lydia Tenaglia, and legendary chef Jeremiah Tower. Over a far-reaching hour we discuss the film, Jeremiah’s landmark achievements at Chez Panisse and Stars, the politics of the food business, and how the movie came together. What else need we say? Enjoy this one … we did!