Jeff Mauro Talks to Fans on Facebook

By: Sarah De Heer

Related To:

jeff mauro

Host Jeff Mauro makes Mortadella and Fig Focaccianini as seen on Food Network's The Sandwich King Winner Series - Season 1.

Photo by: Heidi Gutman ©2011, Television Food Network, G.P.

Heidi Gutman, 2011, Television Food Network, G.P.

Earlier this week, we sat down with the Sandwich King himself for a Food Network Facebook chat. If you missed it, here are some of the highlights:

Lisa Graham Goulet: What is the one sandwich you've tried and will never make again?

JM: Blood sausage sandwich -- whoa.

Jon Barsanti Jr.: What was it like living with everybody under one roof?

JM: Difficult at times, but at the end of the day, we were all in the same boat experiencing the same things.

Sara Levine: What was your favorite challenge? Least favorite?

JM: Rachael Ray was a blast, but Iron Chef was very difficult.

Katie Lascano: What were you thinking on your first day of Food Network Star?

JM: Oh. My. Heavens. What did I just sign up for? There's a dude with holes in his ears and a tanned up kid from Jersey -- so many tattoos.

Frank Samperi: What was your celebratory meal?

JM: I ate an entire half of a medium sausage pizza left by my babysitter, and that's the truth. I was beside myself with exhaustion and hunger. It was glorious!

Darla Andrews: What are you going to do to make sure your show has longevity on the Food Network?

JM: I'm going to focus on the plethora of international and regional sandwiches on the planet with a focus on new and exciting sandwich inventions: sides, salads, soups, chips, condiments, dressings, veggies, breads, etc.

Angela Anagho: How different is the actual show from what you had planned? Did you already have extensive recipes for different types and styles of sandwiches?

JM: Not much different, but we've included some on-the-street, shopping and eating segments, all in Chicago.

Kevin Barta: What's your favorite sandwich place in Chicago or the suburbs?

JM: Johnnie's Beef in my hometown of Elmwood Park, steak sandwich at Jimmy's in Forest Park.

Mandy Kleinmeulamn: Do you always toast the bread?

JM: Always butter/oil and griddle the bread -- it's so much better.

Dawn Peterson: If your favorite musician was coming over to your house for dinner, what sandwich would you make?

JM: It would be Jeff Tweedy from Wilco and I would make him an enormous central/southern Illinois-style pork tenderloin sandwich.

Kristen Barnett: Cubs or Sox?
JM: Sox!

Tina Totty: How would you turn a St. Louis staple (toasted ravioli) into a sandwich?

JM: I would do a light panko breading on a thin piece of Italian bread, fry that up and stuff it with roasted tomatoes, shaved Parmesan and a nice whole-milk ricotta. And fresh basil, of course.

Tune in: Sunday’s at 11:30 a.m. Eastern/10:30 a.m. Central

Next Up

Jeff Mauro's Funniest Kitchen Fails

In advance of the Sandwich King's new Web series, we asked him about his most-memorable cooking blunders — and how you can fix kitchen mistakes that aren't actually so bad.

Troy Johnson Talks to Fans on Facebook

Last week Troy Johnson, host of Crave, dropped by for a Food Network Facebook chat. If you missed it, here are some of the highlights.

Ted Allen Talks to Fans of Chopped on Facebook

Ted Allen answered questions from Chopped fans on Facebook. Read highlights from the chat.

Alex Guarnaschelli Talks to Fans of Chopped All-Stars on Facebook

Chopped Fans had an opportunity to ask judge Alex Guarnaschelli questions on Facebook. Here are some highlights from the chat.

Aarón Sánchez Talks to Fans of Chopped All-Stars on Facebook

Aarón Sánchez talks to fans of Chopped All-Stars on Facebook.