Mario Batali talks farm to table at Chicago Ideas Week

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mario Batali, star of ABC's "The Chew" is in Chicago to talk farm-to-table as part of Chicago Ideas Week.

Batali spoke about getting familiar with unfamiliar produce and when it's best to buy tomatoes. It was his first time to participate in the event.

"Food is such an important part of our lives and realizing how important the decisions you make are based on a lot of the things that you eat and consume and what you do and don't buy. Being a part of that conversation makes me happy," he said.

Batali visited Eataly after the Chicago Ideas Week talk. He signed his new book, "America Farm to Table," for fans.

ABC7 is the media partner of Chicago Ideas Week and is streaming several of the events live through Sunday. Windy City LIVE's Ji Suk Yi is moderating a panel on pop culture Wednesday evening.