TRAVERSE CITY — Summer entertaining is heating up, and with the Fourth of July holiday quickly approaching, who better than world-famous Chef Mario Batali to reveal his tasty tips for entertaining this season?
Part-time Michigander Mario Batali and Pure Michigan have teamed up to introduce recipes and party tips for summer cooking, as well as share the scoop on the best of Michigan’s food scene and top must-see destinations in the state this summer.
To kick things off, Batali and Pure Michigan hosted a “Made in Michigan” epicurean experience in Traverse City where Batali prepared three all-new recipes created specifically for the occasion. The recipes showcased a few of his favorite locally sourced ingredients: fresh Michigan cherries, Lake Superior Walleye fillets from Taylor Fish Company, bologna from Pleva’s Meats in Cedar, and Leelanau Cheese Raclette from Suttons Bay. The event took place at Chateau Chantal, a picturesque winery and bed & breakfast on Old Mission Peninsula, located just a few miles north of Traverse City.
Dishes prepared by Batali included:
Piadina with Local Cherries, Bologna and Raclette
Michigan Walleye in Prosciutto with Pesto Fregola
Beef Braciole “Pinwheel-style”
“I first fell in love with Michigan almost eleven years ago and have been coming back ever since,” said Batali. “My wife and I eventually bought a summer home here, and I really enjoy the respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The weather is amazing, the people are fantastic, and of course, the food scene has exploded.”
When in Michigan, visitors can enjoy some of the eateries where Batali has been spotted including The Cooks’ House, a farm-to-table gem located in downtown Traverse City, and Siren Hall, a fresh seafood spot located on the east side of Grand Traverse Bay. The Cove of Leland, home to the famed “Chubby Mary,” and Martha’s Leelanau Table of Sutton’s Bay are also frequented by Batali, along with Black Star Farms, producer of some of the state’s finest wines and spirits; L. Mawby Vineyards, maker of the Leelanau Peninsula’s premium sparkling wines; and Tandem Ciders, producer of Northern Michigan’s artisan hard ciders.
When he is not indulging in the Michigan food scene, Batali enjoys visiting some of the region’s most popular attractions including Mackinac Island, Fishtown in Leland, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, and numerous spectacular golf courses from Manitou Passage to Arcadia Bluffs.
“Traverse City and the Leelanau regions have such an impressive culinary scene, so who better than Mario Batali himself to showcase all that our great state has to offer?” said George Zimmermann, vice president, Travel Michigan.
To learn more about the great state of Michigan and plan a summer vacation, please visitwww.michigan.org. To download Mario Batali’s “Made in Michigan” recipes and learn more, visit michigan.org/Partners/mario-batali-recipes/.
