The Batali Inquisition: Jody Williams
The genius behind Buvette (with locations in New York City and Paris) doesn’t get out much
When is your favorite time of day?
Sunday morning.
Where do you sleep best?
I have this thing called a B E D. It is very good for sleeping.
What is the best way to recharge your batteries?
I go to Central Park for a long walk.
Where is your energy most successfully applied?
Creating + problem solving.
Where do you waste the most energy?
Being messy. Too many piles of paper — not cool.
When are you most depleted?
Dealing with groups of people.
What is the last thing you ate?
Watermelon (only the red part).
When are you hungry?
When I see something good to eat. When I am near something good to eat.
What was the last thing you cooked?
The truth is — egg salad at 4 p.m. today — but just before that, I did a nice whole roasted squab with black plums and shallots.
If you were a food, what would you be?
A walnut.
Describe the perfect meal, what and where?
The perfect meal is one that inspires me to cook it again and again…a meal that haunts me like my first truffle or foie gras. [Mark] Ladner made a simple erbazzone once that shocked me, so good, so Reggio Emilia. A plate of nostalgia. That is perfection.
What is your favorite Olympic event?
FIFA World Cup soccer (I know it isn’t the Olympics but it is so much better).
What was the last live performance you saw?
Cabbie made a U-turn on 14th Street and got pulled over. (I don’t get out much.)
With which artist of all time do you most identify?
Wow… I am blanking on this one. I will go to the Bonus question: What was the best thing I ate for breakfast last year, where and when? (You know the deal by now. You have to go here to see the (delicious) answer!)
Who is your favorite literary character?
Atticus Finch. No, Scout Finch.
What is your favorite method of travel?
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Not sure yet… Maldives were great, but I like a place that is like stepping back in time. Canoeing the Adirondacks, perhaps.
Where would you live if you could live anywhere?
Six months New York City and six months in Europe.
What food do you want served at your funeral?
Hot dogs from a cart. Beer keg. Do you see the F U N in F U N eral? Maybe tacos.
What is your favorite luxury?
- Hästens handmade beds
- Cashmere socks
- Ginori china
Jody Williams is the author of Buvette — The Pleasure of Good Food (Grand Central Life & Style, 2014).
