Stanley Tucci Wouldn’t Mix Competition and Cooking in the Same Bowl

The timer is merely a tool and not a challenge for Stanley Tucci. The Devil Wears Prada 2 star spoke to the Happy Sad Confused podcast about his conscious decision not to participate in culinary competition shows. “I don’t like competition when it comes to art or food,” Tucci explained. “I think it’s silly. I know they’re hugely successful, but I just find it false and weird. To me, cooking is the opposite of that. It should be a thing that brings people together, not separates them. A thing that allows for communion, not for competition.” He thinks grading food is unfair, as the opinion of the food is completely subjective to the person tasting it. “My dad was an art teacher, and he always said, ‘How am I supposed to grade this and this, and this?’” he added. “They’re all different people, and they’re all different perceptions of what they’re seeing. It’s completely subjective. So, how do you grade that? How do you say, ‘You’re the best actor?’ Doesn’t make any sense.”

Instead of focusing on competition, Tucci’s culinary endeavors have centered on reconnecting with his Italian roots. He’s hosted both CNN’s Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and National Geographic’s Tucci in Italy — the latter’s season two comes out on May 11. In case you were also in the mood for some stress-free meals that look buonissimo!