For anyone who grew up in my generation (graduated high school between 1998-2006), Joey Fatone was and still is a big household name. Being part of one of the biggest boy bands of all time, NSYNC, Joey & the group achieved international fame with their collection of amazing hits and mass hysteria throughout the world as they spent years dominating the charts and airwaves. Since his music days, Joey has been singing a different tune with becoming one of the most in demand television personalities out there with his own shows, brands and so much more.
Joey Fatone is a fellow New Yorker, born and raised in Brooklyn, who has taken his love for food and entertainment and parlayed them into some amazing television programs like My Family Recipe Rocks!, Rewrapped, Family Feud, and Hollywood Today Live. His charismatic personality, great smile and charm have won a new generation of fans over, and the next chapter in his career seems to be taking off in the best way possible.
I was lucky enough to sit down with Joey and discuss all of this, including his favorite places to eat in New York, best career advice for longevity and prosperity, and so much more.
A good amount of people knows you primarily through your music background, so what was the inspiration to make that shift to the food & beverage world?
My dad was always cooking growing up, and being from New York food has always been something that brought my family and friends together. Then when I started doing a few things with the Food Network I got hooked and haven’t looked back.
What do you find to be the biggest stark difference between performing on stage and hosting the variety of shows you do?
Well performing is a lot more rehearsed, it’s an equation. Hosting is much different because you never know what to expect, what people may say or what could possibly happen.
What has been your favorite culinary moment in your career so far, and why?
My favorite culinary moment has definitely been creating my own brand Fat★Ones. Being able to pop in whenever I am free has been a blast also.
Now that we are in the warmer weather months, do you have a favorite dish you like to prepare?
In the summer, my favorite dish to make is anything on the grill from pork chops to chicken, etc. Grilled peaches with ice cream is a great dessert too.
Our site focuses a lot on what makes Manhattan still so unique, and a big part of that is the food! What is your favorite restaurant to chow down at and why?
Any place in Little Italy. For a more upscale experience I’ll go to the Hunt and Fish Club. Something more casual my go to is LNB Spumoni Gardens in Brooklyn.
Do you plan on sticking the culinary & hosting route in your career or will you ever consider going back to music?
In this business, you never know because there’s so many different venues. I will always love music and of course would consider it but I am enjoying the path I am on right now.
What’s the best advice you can give to anyone who wants to have prosperity & longevity in their career?
Keep reinventing yourself. Make it fresh, make it you. And, of course, have fun!
For more information on Joey Fatone, check out his Twitter and Facebook.