Talking about the prominent figure in the culinary world, it is impossible not to mention Mario Carbone. His renowned Spicy Vodka Sauce from Carbone Fine Foods has gained nationwide popularity since its release in September. In fact, it has become the highlight of numerous “Carbone spicy vodka sauce hack” videos on social media. If you’re interested, you can purchase the sauce on the Carbone Fine Foods website, and mark your calendars for National Vodka Day on October 4th.

Recently, Chef Carbone paid a visit to the gourmet grocery store Citarella on 6th Avenue in Manhattan. During his visit, he shared more about his iconic Spicy Vodka Sauce, including his annoyance with the countless versions of “hacks” that involve adding cheese. “We don’t put cheese in it,” stated Carbone. “In fact, we frown upon it when customers request it at the restaurant.” It’s not that the chef has a personal vendetta against cheese in pasta dishes; he simply believes that cheese is not an essential ingredient for every pasta recipe. “I genuinely don’t think it’s necessary. The dish is already rich on its own,” he explained. “At our restaurant, when our pasta is served, people immediately ask for cheese before even tasting it. I get frustrated with my parents about it, and they respond by reminding me that they raised and educated me.”

Taking a closer look at the ingredients used in Carbone’s vodka sauce, it becomes apparent why the chef’s frustration stems from the addition of cheese. Carbone vodka sauce is meticulously made in small batches using onions, chili peppers sourced from Calabria, and San Marzano tomatoes grown in volcanic ash in Italy. Chef Carbone went on to share a heartwarming anecdote from his experience when he personally travelled to a field in Italy to handpick the San Marzano tomatoes and meet the grower. “It was an emotional experience for both me and the farmer. When I left after a few hours, he was in tears. It was a deeply touching moment for all of us.”

Interestingly, even Chef Carbone’s idol, Bobby Flay, adds cheese to his vodka sauce. In a TikTok video, Flay demonstrates how he prepares Carbone’s spicy vodka rigatoni with his girlfriend, Christina Pérez, mentioning, “I’m gonna add a little Parmigiano Reggiano. I just can’t help myself.” However, if you ask Mario Carbone, he believes that if you can resist the temptation, you should. Carbone remarked, “Bobby Flay likes to put cheese in it, I don’t know why but he does.”

Carbone also shared an amusing detail during his visit to Citarella. When he and his business partner, Rich, lived together in an apartment in Manhattan’s West Village, they would often say, “WWBD?” – short for “What would Bobby do?” However, it seems that the answer to that question is that “Bobby would put cheese in his vodka sauce,” which goes against Chef Carbone’s principles.

In conclusion, Chef Mario Carbone has made a name for himself in the culinary world with his famous Spicy Vodka Sauce, which has become a social media sensation. His emphasis on not adding cheese to the sauce stems from his belief that it is unnecessary for the already rich and flavorful dish. So the next time you enjoy Carbone’s Spicy Vodka Sauce, remember to savor it in its purest form, just as the chef himself intends.