Three respected New York chefs – Tom
Colicchio, Mario Batali and David Chang – have joined the growing
list of celebrities and politicians who have recorded videos for the
Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) New
Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign.
In his ad, celebrated Korean-American
chef Chang, owner of Momofuku Noodle Bar, Momofuku Ssam Bar, Ma
Peche, Momofuku Milk Bar and Momofuku Ko in New York City, urges New
Yorkers to support the legalization of gay marriage.
“We take no reservations at our
restaurants and I have no reservations about supporting marriage
equality,” Chang says. “New Yorkers believe in fairness.”
Chef Batali urges New Yorkers to “come
to the table for marriage equality” in his 30-second ad.
“Our current legislation toward
marriage is a recipe for disaster,” adds Batali, who currently owns
17 mostly Italian eateries throughout the United States and is the
author of numerous cookbooks.
In his ad, Colicchio, star of cabler
Bravo's Top Chef, says: “We're known for our great food in
New York, why can't we be known as a place for equality, too.”
“The key ingredient to a good
marriage is love. That's why I'm a New Yorker for marriage equality.
Let's not shut the door for marriage for loving couples.” (The
video is embedded in the right panel of this page.)
The three ads are part of an ongoing
campaign by HRC, the nation's largest gay rights advocate, which
hopes to build momentum on the issue now ahead
of a second attempt to legalize the institution in the state later
this Spring.