Singer Lyle Lovett Insults Rick Bayless For Not Being Mexican

Rick Bayless serving at "Taco Hell" at Lula Cafe.

Rick Bayless isn't Mexican. As the most famous American chef who cooks Mexican food, this has created some minor stirs over the years. Some journalists and bloggers have wondered why a white guy is famous for cooking Mexican food. We say "meh;" if he cooks great food and respects the culture, who cares? But yesterday, Eater pointed out that country singer Lyle Lovett, speaking to Garden and Gun Magazine (that's a thing?) opined "I’ve never eaten Mexican food in Chicago. And, no disrespect, but it can’t be that good if a guy named Bayless is cooking it."

This isn't the first time this has come up. In 2009, a blogger for ChicagoNow complained about Bayless being "the spokesman for Mexican food in the United States," and argued that it took away from the great Mexican and latino chefs in Chicago to have Bayless get all the attention. In 2010, some objected to Bayless cooking a state dinner for the President of Mexico for the same reason.

Lovett retracted the comment on Twitter late yesterday, telling Bayless that "Rick, I was just joking! Not fair of me. I bet your Mexican food is as amazing as they say. I'd love to try it. My joke was in poor taste, unlike Rick's Mexican food. I plan to check it out my next trip to Chicago." Bayless responded with dignity - first pointing out that it must be a slow news day, and then announcing that he'd welcome Lovett as his restaurant. Way to keep it classy, Chef. Chef Bayless has done a lot to popularize authentic Mexican food and add it to the American fine dining pantheon, and anyone who hasn't tasted his food probably shouldn't comment.

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By Anthony Todd in Food on January 24, 2012 1:20 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Brad Esposito

I've ate at Frontera and cooked many things from Bayless's cookbook. All of the food is truly incredible, and he truly respects the culture and the cuisine. I have also spoke to multiple first generation Mexicans who have ate at Frontera and they too talk about how great his food is.

Kristene Richardson

Worth noting the high end Mexican cuisine scene here in Chicago populated with chefs that got their start in Rick's kitchen.

Nicholas

Now, why can't we have some New Mexico cuisine here in Chicago. That's what I want to know (Flo's is about it).

seitz

The one place on Belmont closed down, right? Abiquiu Cafe?

scobarrubias

Aww, Bayless is like the Ned Flanders of the culinary community

Renita Marjan

Read an article -- from the Dallas paper no less -- that said that actually, Chicago has the most authentic Mexican food in the country, due to the high population of first-generation immigrants. And from what I've had of Bayless' food, I don't care what color he is or language he speaks, that is some tasty stuff.

tomdarch

1) Awwwww... I expect better from Lyle.

2) er... lots of the people doing the hands-on cooking at Rick's places actually are Mexican....

3) WTF does a Texan know about good Mexican food? (I kid! I kid! Don't shoot...)

erik75

I like watchin Bayless' show on PBS. He respects the culture, or he is the best actor I've ever seen. I don't see a whole lot of other people that appear to have his knowledge of the food and country and culture and do a good job of making something people would be interested in.

I have no respect for a guy who can't seem to remain married to Julia Roberts.

Lynn S.

I like Bayless. He really seems to appreciate Mexican culture and food. I don't think he is being disrespectful, and I think people are smart to know that there are other excellent chefs out there that are cooking the same type of food that are not Caucasian.

Alittle OTF...

I watched Bayless up against Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America on Food Network, and I tell you I think it was rigged. Yeah, Flay had a snappier look to his plating but the judges were critical several times over on how he cooked the buffalo (secret ingredient). Everyone seemed to love Bayless' backstory on his dishes and the pairing of flavors. I think he really cares about what he is doing and how he represents the food. Not much criticism and yet Bayless lost. If you contrast Bayless and Flay, Flay has an ego on him. Bayless is laid back and cordial.

Lyle was shooting off at the mouth and put his foot in it. lol! Bayless responded in a dignified way. Good on him!

Navin_Johnson

Seriously,
If there's a Mexican-American chap as good, interesting, *and as informative* as Bayless then by all means point the way, because I'm genuinely interested.

ChicagoD

And speaks English as well and is as relatively good in front of a camera. I mean, whatever. Bayless does a bunch of things pretty well (and I've never eaten his food) and deserves credit for them.