I couldn’t believe the news when I read it today.

Chef Mario Batali has been chopped from TV’s Food Network, the influential cooking channel that made him a household name.

Sources said that network executives told the spotlight-loving chef last month his multiple shows, which includes the long-running “Molto Mario,” would not be renewed and that he would no longer be competing in the popular “Iron Chef America” series.

“He said that if his shows weren’t going to be renewed, then he wasn’t going to do ‘Iron Chef,’ ” said a network insider. “And then they essentially said ‘ciao.’ ”

What the hell? Have the executives at Food Network lost their frickin minds?

There used to be a time when watching the Food Network was all about the food. The love of creating some of the most spectacular and delicious recipes could be seen in the hosts eyes. Mario Batali was one of those chefs. Oh sure, he loved to be in front of the camera and he was quite the showman, but when Mario cooked, the spotlight was always on the food.

No matter what reason Food Network will try to use for cancelling all of his shows at the same exact moment, the viewers are the ones who will be losing out. What will they run in place of his shows? More “Top 5″ shows? Oh I know, “unWrapped” Cough. Yeah, like that was culinarily stimulating television.

If I owned a television network, I would be offering Mario the moon to bring his shows to my network. Only a fool (or a group of them calling themselves Food Network) would let such a talented chef get away.

[Hat Tip: Chef Tom]

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