Jimmy Kimmel Reveals the Delicious 56th Birthday Present He 'Prayed For'
The comedian prefers savory over sweet when it comes to his birthday treats so restaurateur and friend Chris Bianco helped deliver a fitting dish
Forget a birthday cake, Jimmy Kimmel wanted a mortadella sandwich this year.
The late night talk show host, who turned 56 on Nov. 13, "prayed" for a savory treat on his birthday instead of a sweet one. And on Monday, Kimmel shared that his birthday wish came true in a social media post.
“I prayed for a mortadella sandwich and Chris Bianco answered,” Kimmel wrote on his Instagram Story. “Thanks to all for the birthday wishes!”
In the post, the comedian posed with the restaurant owner in Kimmel’s studio, both men grinning ear-to-ear while Kimmel held a sandwich. Along with the big sub, Kimmel held a handmade “Happy Birthday Jimmy” card covered with smiley faces and a milkshake with a lit candle.
Kimmel and Bianco are longtime friends. Kimmel has posted about his love of the James Beard Award-winning chef’s pizza and sandwiches, most recently posting about Bianco’s Arizona and California restaurants on National Sandwich Day earlier this month.
Related: Jimmy Kimmel's Friend Chef Chris Bianco Says His New LA Pizzeria Means 'I Get to See More Jimmy'
The love is mutual. Bianco, who was on Netflix's Chef's Table: Pizza, told PEOPLE in 2022, "Jimmy is one of my dearest friends and one of the greatest people on this planet.”
The Phoenix-based chef added, "He does so much for so many and I'm truly honored to have him for a friend. He's just one of the best people on the planet.”
Bianco and Kimmel met about 20 years ago when the talk show host read an article about the restaurateur's establishments before going home to Phoenix to visit his father for the holidays. Decades later, the Pizzeria Bianco owner has appeared on Kimmel's show numerous times.
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