OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has drawn humorous criticism for his culinary choices after inviting a journalist into his kitchen for a casual cooking session. Participating in the Financial Times’ popular “Lunch with the FT” series, Altman stepped away from his routine of championing transformative tech policy to prepare a simple meal of garlicky pasta and salad. However, his relaxed culinary display quickly became the subject of amused commentary regarding a notable misuse of olive oil.
Altman’s kitchen featured bottles of the chic and social-media-favored Graza brand olive oil, which markets two distinct products: “sizzle,” designed specifically for cooking at higher temperatures, and “drizzle,” intended solely for finishing dishes with a fresh, flavorful accent—at a correspondingly premium price. Unfortunately for olive oil purists, Altman mistakenly reached for the more delicate “drizzle” oil, employing this pricier finishing product to sauté his garlicky pasta. To his amused critics, this act amounted to an Egregious culinary faux pas, akin to abusing fresh herbs by cooking them down like ordinary greens.
While education around olive cultivation and culinary best practices may not be universal knowledge, enthusiasts argue that someone who stocks specialty oils presumably understands their proper use. Altman’s indiscretion has provided an entertaining parallel for observers familiar with the high-stakes, cash-burning culture prevalent in the tech startup world.
The lighthearted comparison follows a serious financial backdrop for Altman’s company. OpenAI recently made headlines by securing a record-setting $40 billion funding round, even as it reported steep financial losses in the previous year—roughly $5 billion. Despite immense investment and widespread popularity, OpenAI has notably struggled with profitability, even reportedly losing money on its $200 per month ChatGPT Pro subscription plan.
Of course, Altman’s slight misstep while preparing his lunch likely offers little genuine insight into OpenAI’s financial strategies. Still, observers jestingly suggest that a casual disregard for the intended use of high-quality olive oil mirrors the broader Silicon Valley trend of extravagant spending—whether intentional or inadvertent.
