Fabio: Mama's Boy

Hello #TeamFabio! I’m back for another week of my crazy Life After Top Chef and I couldn’t be more excited. OK, I exaggerate a bit... there is one thing that makes me more excited. But this week was special because my mom came to visit me from Italy! I had just cleaned my place and got it ready for my mom to visit, but I should have known that it wouldn’t be enough. I think she just loves to show me that I still need a mom, so she washed my sheets again. Thanks, Mom! I was so happy to see her, but she worries about me too much. If it were anyone else I’d be worried, but I know me, and I can handle it !! 

So the highlight of this week had to be when my mom forced me to get a mani/pedi!! Why do I need a mani/pedi?! That is girl stuff... I should have made a deal with her that if I got the mani/pedi and have a chance to relax that she would give me a break on my time I spend with the phone... She probably would have still made a scene at dinner about it anyway... But that's what my mom is for... Am I right?

We had a big celebration dinner when my mom came to town with all of us Italians... and my friend Dean, @TheHealerGuy. He is italian-adopted, so it was OK for him to be the only non-italian at the dinner. Italian night was something that my mom wanted to do, so we could cook a nice dinner and she could see Jacopo... I think because she doesn’t think I get enough Italy here in the United States. She may be right about that, but I really love my home and #TeamFabio!

Glauco was definitely trying to get on my nerves at dinner! He knows not to hit on my mom with me around... Having a young mom is a blessing and a curse... It is a blessing because you have a cool and hip mom; she lets you get away with a little more because you are closer to the same age... BUT it is mostly a CURSE because all of a sudden all of your friends are like... “Hey Fabio, your mom is a hottie” and then it gets weird because I have to knock them out...All of a sudden my alarm goes off at the dinner table, and the whole mood changes... I understand that they are all worried that I work too hard, but if not me then who?! I work hard so that my parents do not have to anymore... Is this not what a good son should do?! I know where they are coming from, but trust me, I wouldn’t be doing it if I thought it was too much... Part of all this is fun... the truth is I am addicted to working hard because I love my career! All of it is technically work... but it is fun too!

Richie can probably relate to my work schedule the most from all the other chefs because he is trying to balance his career and family at the same time... I thought it was great that he and his wife took time to do something nice for her birthday. But now I just fear for Richard's life because who knew she was a marksman...? You better watch out Richie because I think she is gunnin' for you!

I am fascinated more and more by Jen’s family... I did not know that they were into racing cars... I can see it now -- in a year, Jen will have her own restaurant, Concrete Blonde, and she will be making delicious food. But she will also deliver the food and hop in a racecar to bring it to you. If it's not there in 15 minutes it's free, but the way she drives it's always there in five!

I almost feel bad for Spike, but he brings it all on himself... If he wasn’t missing weddings and showing up to cook when the chef is supposed to, then his mom probably wouldn’t have to get on his case so much... But who am I kidding?! He is a man-child, and Spike probably still needs to be tucked in at night! But that's why we all love him, right?

Well #TeamFabio, that is it for this week's Life After Top Chef blog... I hope you enjoyed reading and watching the show because I do this for all of my fans! Thank you to everyone who shows me the love and support... You make all this hard work seem easy! Ciao!