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Sam Altman's olive oil use attracts attention

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman faces humor and scrutiny for his cooking oil choices in a recent Financial Times article.

May 12, 2025 at 04:30 PM

Sam Altman apparently does not respect olive oil

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's olive oil habits have drawn attention for their inefficiency.

Sam Altman's olive oil use raises eyebrows

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has come under scrutiny for his culinary choices, particularly regarding olive oil. A recent piece by the Financial Times highlights how Altman used a costly "drizzle" olive oil for sautéing instead of the intended "sizzle" oil. This slip occurred during a cooking demonstration for the paper’s "Lunch with the FT" series. Despite being a renowned figure in tech, Altman's kitchen decisions have sparked laughter about his perceived disconnect with cooking basics. With OpenAI raising substantial funding but facing hefty operational losses, skeptics question whether such trivial habits suggest a broader theme of mismanagement.

Key Takeaways

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Altman's cooking choices highlight a common disconnect in Silicon Valley's culture.

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His choice of olive oil has drawn humor, but it also raises questions about decision-making.

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OpenAI faces significant financial challenges, adding context to Altman's culinary habits.

"If you’re the kind of person who wastes pricey cooking oil, it could be that you’re burning VC money too."

This quote humorously connects Altman's cooking mistakes to broader financial mismanagement within tech startups.

"Altman appears to fundamentally misunderstand Graza’s schtick."

This quote emphasizes Altman's lack of knowledge regarding the olive oil brands he uses, poking fun at his culinary profile.

"It's like taking fresh basil and cooking it down in a pan as though it’s spinach."

This metaphor highlights the absurdity of misusing expensive ingredients, underscoring the larger point about wastefulness in Silicon Valley.

"OpenAI raised a record-setting $40 billion in a new funding round this year, yet it continues to bleed money."

This statement presents the stark financial contrast between OpenAI's funding success and its ongoing losses, adding depth to the narrative.

This light-hearted look at Altman's cooking may seem trivial, but it reflects a more significant tension in Silicon Valley. The emphasis on aesthetics and trends, as evidenced by his choice of overpriced olive oil, raises questions about how well executives relate to practical decision-making. The juxtaposition of culinary missteps against OpenAI’s financial struggles serves as a metaphor for the often excessive culture prevalent in tech startups. It invites a discussion about fiscal responsibility versus the pursuit of innovation.