Mario Batali: Bistro Crocs

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Now that it's official that Mario Batali has his own signature Crocs shoe, the "New Bistro Mario Batali Shoe," Super Chef wonders aloud: when will chef clothing hit fashion runways? After all, chefs themselves have long been models on the catwalk – think Todd English, Eric Ripert, Govind Armstrong, and Marcus Samuelson, making various media hotty lists. The number of chef clothing labels has increased dramatically over the years along with better design, better quality material, non-slip high-tech materials making chef uniforms more attractive and more functional. Chefwear, Crooked Brook, Culinary Classics, and Chef Revival, plus a whole slew of uniform companies garb the restaurant industry. Will Tommy Hilfiger or Armani come out with men's pants based on the chef baggy pants look? Actually, Armani has already designed restaurant wear for the Armani/Nobu located in Milan. Other designers have had a hand in waiter's and chef's attire. Will we see crossover togs by the chefs themselves? Will the increasing number of Hollywood movies about chefs or including chefs as actors or playing themselves, give their clothing cachet? The same thing happened last century when farmer and worker clothing, the blue jean, became the clothing of choice by young people everywhere. Why not Chef's jackets and pants? What is Mario's role in marketing the new shoe? According to Crocs' press release, Mario will make appearances, provide testimonials and signature recipes posted to www.crocs.com. (Why would somebody buying a shoe care about recipes? "Could I have some pasta with those Crocs, please?") What is so special about these shoes? Batali is especially fond of the new Bistro shoe because it offers high comfort to workers in the restaurant and food service industry, while it is specially designed to meet workplace standards with a closed heel. In addition to its special slip-resistant design, the shoe also features a thicker metatarsal area to help protect the top of the foot, as well as a supportive arch and foot bed circulation nubs to ensure all-day comfort. The exclusive Croslite™ material conforms to the foot creating a custom fit and the added looseness allows the foot to bend and expand naturally to reduce fatigue. All of the new models are odor- and bacteria-resistant and can be simply sterilized in clean water and bleach. Sounds good to Super Chef -- now, where is that apron?... Previous articles: Nancy Silverton & Mario Batali's Mozza Mario Batali Tailgates NASCAR Style Mario Batali: 2 Brothers Mario Batali: Molto Italiano TIME for Mario Mario Batali Marketing Webcast Iron Chef Pizza Wars: Batali v. Puck Juliette Rossant: Forbes Tastemakers [Chefs & Branding - complete] Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging, Mario Batali, Bistro Crocs --> back to Super Chef