Mario Batali might chop off his trademark ponytail, if the price is right. The chef has partnered with Food & Wine magazine and nine of the country's top chefs for Chefs Make Change (CMC), a nationwide campaign that launches today. CMC aims to raise one million dollars for the chefs' respective philanthropic organizations; individuals can donate money on Food & Wine's Facebook page or website.
If the organization can raise $500,000 for the Mario Batali Foundation by February 7, Mario Batali will part with his ponytail. We're all for good causes, but we have to admit that we've sort of grown to love Batali's hairdo. If he floats the idea of ditching his famous orange Crocs, however, we might put down some serious coinage.
Below is the list of the chefs involved, and their respective charities:
Jose Andres: World Central Kitchen. Helps feed countries in crisis worldwide using sustainable cooking methods.
Dan Barber: Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. Trains young farmers to improve the way America eats and farms.
Mario Batali: Mario Batali Foundation. Helps feed, protect, educate and empower children.
Rick Bayless: The Frontera Farmer Foundation. Promotes small, sustainable farms serving the Chicago area by providing them with capital development grants.
Cat Cora: Chefs for Humanity. Reduces hunger worldwide by supporting humanitarian relief and promoting nutrition education.
Emeril Lagasse: Emeril Lagasse Foundation. Inspires underprivileged kids with the power and possibility of food.
Michel Nischan: Wholesome Wave. Helps underserved communities become the heroes of a changed food system through personal choice.
Art Smith: Common Threads. Teaches low-income children the importance of nutrition and physical well-being and fosters an appreciation of cultural diversity through after-school cooking programs.
Bill Telepan: Wellness in the Schools. Inspires healthy eating and fitness as a way of life for public school students.
Alice Waters: The Edible Schoolyard Project. Transforms the health and values of children by building a food curriculum for schools.
To learn more about the campaign, click here.