Summary:
Celebrity chefs like Tom Colicchio, known for their culinary expertise, often venture into unrelated fields, such as politics, offering opinions beyond their domain. This trend, termed “ultracrepidarianism,” highlights the risks of public figures stepping outside their expertise. Colicchio’s recent misstep regarding the White House East Wing renovation underscores the consequences of spreading misinformation. While his culinary achievements are commendable, his foray into political activism has sparked criticism and raised questions about the role of celebrity influence.
What This Means for You:
- Be cautious when interpreting opinions from public figures outside their expertise, as they may lack depth or accuracy.
- Verify claims made on social media, especially from influencers, to avoid spreading misinformation.
- Understand the broader implications of celebrity activism and its potential impact on public discourse.
- Future outlook: Expect increased scrutiny of public figures as audiences demand accountability and factual accuracy.
Original Post:
In the hierarchy of serious titles in the media industry in the 21st century, “celebrity chef” isn’t exactly really high up on the list of categories of people I feel the need to emulate. Granted, there’s a category or two below that — where you’ll find “crypto influencer,” “sourdough microblogger,” “famous fursona,” etc. — but that’s really the one or two tiers that lie beneath them.
With all due respects to the late Julia Child and Anthony Bourdain (both of whom had the good sense to broaden their import beyond just the food or the fame), most of these people are famous for combining culinary ability with personality and self-promotion. That’s it. Take out the gustatorial element, and they’re basically less-attractive Kardashians.
But therein lies the problem: Much like their other reality TV or online influencer brethren, these fine folks feel the need to become ultracrepidarians. For Rachel Ray, whose debilitating caffeine addiction doubtlessly leaves her unable to get beyond the second syllable of the word, that is “one who is presumptuous and offers advice or opinions beyond one’s sphere of knowledge.”
For instance, take Tom Colicchio. Please, Henny Youngman would have begged you. Colicchio is best known as the head judge on the show “Top Chef,” which airs on Bravo. He is the founder of numerous restaurants, most notably the Gramercy Tavern in New York City. He’s been doing the reality TV gig since 2006, so he clearly knows his entertainment. Fine.
Less fine, from 2013: “‘Top Chef’ Tom Colicchio Serves Up Side of Food-Stamp Politics,” in U.S. News and World Report:
Forget “Top Chef,” for Democrats the show’s judge Tom Colicchio is a top lobbyist on issues like food stamps. Colicchio made a repeat trip to Washington this week to urge House members to vote against a Republican plan to slash $40 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Though not meeting one-on-one with GOP lawmakers this trip, Colicchio hoped they’d come around. “We’re hopeful that we’ll have some Republicans who will do the right thing.”
Yes, because if there’s one thing haute cuisine has taught Colicchio about, it’s entitlements. He also wants to appear to be very knowledgeable on matters relating to Republican food perfidy, writing this piece for The Nation just before the 2024 election: “Scared of E. Coli? Donald Trump Should Terrify You.”
In case you’ve wondered what the etymology is for “ultracrepidarian,” it actually comes from ancient Roman author Pliny the Elder, who recalled the retort of the Greek painter Apelles to a cobbler who criticized his work: “ne supra crepidam sutor judicare,” or “let the cobbler not judge above the sandal.”
Should the new White House ballroom be named after President Trump?
You could say that Colicchio was engaging in food-adjacent activities with his prior political activism — I’d disagree, but you could at least say it — but there was no hint of food when he decided to wade in on the White House East Wing renovation nontroversy.
In case you missed the faux outrage over the new ballroom being appended to the White House, here’s people in actual politics being dumb about it:
It’s not his house.
It’s your house.
And he’s destroying it. pic.twitter.com/YchFF5U1nO
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 21, 2025
Donald Trump doesn’t want you to see this picture.
He’s literally destroying the White House. pic.twitter.com/W63bLLwt82
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 22, 2025
Yes, he’s demolishing the White House! That’s the story on social media, anyway, with Democratic politicos denuding their posts of context for good reason: It made for misleading copy.
Colicchio also joined the East Wing preservation chorus, albeit with a post that showed why Apelles wasn’t just getting salty when he suggested that the “cobbler not judge above the sandal.”
“My wife and
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