Chef Massimo Bottura on His Obsession with Quality and Avoiding Airplane Food
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While in Hong Kong this month to check out the swanky new Centurion Lounge, Amex invited me to attend a By Invitation Only event at The Peninsula Hong Kong, which featured world-renowned chef Massimo Bottura. These events are exclusively for Platinum and Centurion Card Molders, but they aren’t free (this one was $1,500 per ticket); they’re pretty spectacular in that they give guests access to the world’s best athletes, chefs, celebrities — experiences you simply can't buy.
True, dinner at Chef Bottura's Osteria Francescana is only about $200 by comparison, but add in wine (and they had great wine flowing all night long) and you're easily nearing $500 per person — and you still have to get to Modena, Italy! For Amex Card Members in Hong Kong (and even some from other countries who flew in) it was a chance to also get one-on-one time with the chef.
In the past I've attended other BIO events — like the premiere of the Bond movie Spectre in Mexico City and the Kentucky Derby — and they're always spectacular. I'm pretty sure Amex doesn’t turn a profit on these events, but they do them to build a brand all about experiences — which is what we all want. This event also tied into their new Global Dining Collection, which launched along with updated Platinum Card benefits in March 2017. The Global Dining Collection gives Platinum and Centurion Card Members access to exclusive, one-of-a-kind culinary events, experiences and off-the-menu perks with incredible chefs like Bottura, Thomas Keller, Daniel Humm, Stephanie Izard and José Andrés.
Through the Global Dining Collection, Card Members also get access to reservations at thousands of top restaurants across the globe through the Platinum Concierge program. I took advantage of it this summer twice to dine at Eleven Madison Park's summer pop-up in collaboration with American Express in East Hampton, NY; it was incredible and reservations were only available to Amex Card Members.
In Hong Kong, back on October 7, I got a chance to speak with the chef behind the restaurant that earned him the top slot on the World’s Best list in 2016 , Osteria Francescana, located in Modena, Italy. He has a zest for life (and quality) that became apparent to me the second I heard him speak. (In fact, his afternoon session on his cooking style reminded me more of a TED Talk than a cooking demo: It was about going against the mold — taking what is old and giving it a new contemporary twist.)
I was able to get some time with the man behind the three-Michelin-starred restaurant and we chatted about many things including how to combat jet lag and eating on planes. Read on for my interview with Chef Bottura:
Brian Kelly: What are your tips for combatting jet lag?
Massimo Bottura: Eat well. Eat the right things. Nap whenever you can because it is extremely important — extremely important — especially for creativity. I’m sure this afternoon I’m going to take a nap! [Energy] is one of the most important things [so my advice is] sleep when you feel it.
BK: Do you drink when you fly?
MB: Never ever — I don’t drink alcohol, even on the plane, even in first class. [I don’t drink much ] except for last night when we went crazy and opened an unbelievable bottle; I couldn’t say no to some crazy wine. If there’s something that can make a difference and can help you [learn], do it. It’s not drinking to drink. It’s drinking to learn.
BK: Do you eat on airplanes?
MB: Sometimes, yes. Most of the time, no. It’s very difficult because how can you prepare good food? Maybe you can make the right choice with a cheese selection or if you want chocolate … or, if in the middle of the night you wake up and you want ice cream, I really appreciate that. But [as far as] cooking stuff … no.
BK: Would you ever consider eating in a lounge?
MB: A lounge is different, you can create good food. Very good food. In general, though, that is not where I want to go. At least there are airlines that have great service like Singapore Airlines. They're so nice; they don’t want to show you anything other than their joy and culture of serving you well.
BK: Would you consider being an airline chef or doing food for a lounge?
MB: When they asked me to do it, I said no, because the money didn’t matter to me. It’s because the quality — I’m obsessed with quality. The quality of the idea, the quality of the ingredients, the quality of the materials, the quality of everything!
BK: What destination have you not been to that you’re most excited about?
MB: I’ve been everywhere! I’m like Johnny Cash!
BK: What about Africa?
MB: Places there are very inspiring — like South Africa and Namibia; the north — they’ve been touched by the Mediterranean. They’re very reaching cultures; it’s very inspiring how they mix up spices and things like that.
BK: Do you do anything to unwind? Or are you always thinking about food?
MB: No, food is my passion but I live in my passion. To me, my other passions are sports: soccer, Formula One. I’m from Modena!
BK: So you must drive an Italian car...
MB: Maserati! And Ducati. It's the double-cylinder; it's just the sound of it. For me, it's about passion. When you have the sound of an eight-cylinder, like the Maserati, it goes directly into your brain.
All images courtesy of American Express
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| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.