The chapter explores the author's journey of writing about Mario Batali during the Me Too movement, facing online harassment and hate mail post-essay publication, and the decision to disengage from social media due to relentless abuse. It delves into dining disasters at a Michelin starred restaurant, clashes over cultural understanding and expertise, and ethical dilemmas when confronted with abuse allegations against a chef. Moreover, it addresses prevalent issues of sexual harassment in the food industry, gender inequalities, and historical discriminatory practices against women in dining establishments.
Author Geraldine DeRuiter a.k.a. The Everywhereist joins Kara to talk about her new book If You Can’t Take the Heat: Tales of Food, Feminism, and Fury. They talk about some of the author’s viral moments and the backlash she experienced after calling out two famed Italian chefs, the inherent sexism in the food industry (from dining rooms to professional kitchens), and how societal stigmas around beauty and our bodies have distorted our relationship to food.
Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on social media. We’re on Instagram/Threads as @karaswisher and @nayeemaraza
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