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Food Network Obsessed


Food Network Obsessed

Chris Valdes on Bringing Cuban Flavor to Hispanic Heritage Month

Fri, 11 Oct 2024

Chris Valdes reflects on his upbringing, where food played a central role in his Cuban family, and how his mother’s teachings deeply shaped his cooking style. He recalls early mornings spent picking up fresh Cuban bread for their family restaurant and the nostalgic comfort of dishes like the Cuban steak sandwich. Chris discusses key creations, such as his Miami-inspired Spanish tortilla and that same steak sandwich, both of which hold personal significance. He offers insights into his creative process, balancing tradition with experimentation, and shares practical cooking tips, including how to master the tricky tortilla flip. Chris touches on the profound influence of his culinary heroes, particularly his mother and Chef Emeril Lagass, and how they helped mold his career. The chef opens up about the challenges of launching a catering business at just 19, from financial hurdles to personal doubts, and provides advice to young entrepreneurs about the importance of perseverance and passion. The Miami native dishes on his favorite local food spots, showcasing the city’s vibrant food culture. 

 

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Ruth Reichl Talks Food and Country

Fri, 04 Oct 2024

Ruth Reichl reflects on receiving the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award with gratitude, noting how it has motivated her to support young journalists. She recounts her diverse food experiences growing up in New York City and Montreal, including visits to her classmates’ homes, which exposed her to various cultural cuisines. Ruth reminisces on her mother's unconventional approach to cooking which led Ruth to begin cooking at a young age. She discusses how food television has transformed American food culture, creating a new generation that is passionate about cooking and ingredients. The food critic shares her experience at one restaurant, where she went undercover and received vastly different levels of service depending on her appearance, highlighting the biases in the dining industry. Ruth also expresses her love for visiting food markets, explaining how they provide a more authentic glimpse into a culture than restaurants. She recounts one of her most unusual meals, involving silkworm larva in Laos, and the memorable challenges of eating unfamiliar ingredients. Ruth discusses her documentary Food and Country, filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which captures the struggles of farmers, fishermen, and ranchers. The writer emphasizes that her goal for this project is to raise awareness about the challenges of producing nutritious food in America and stresses the need for policy change to support the country's food system. 

 

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Jonathan Bennett, Host of Halloween Wars

Fri, 27 Sep 2024

Jonathan Bennett returns to discuss his whirlwind year that saw him achieve a lifelong dream - his Broadway debut as Sir Robin in Spamalot. He opens up about the electrifying experience of stepping into the world of Monty Python, performing hilarious and beloved scenes from Monty Python on the Broadway stage. Jonathan shares how surreal it was to bring such iconic comedy to life, while also reflecting on the challenges of joining an already-established cast and the thrill of putting his own comedic twist on the character. The host of Halloween Wars teases what fans can expect from the new season of the fan-favorite competition show. He praises the hard work of the show’s producers in keeping the format fresh while staying true to the spirit of the competition. Jonathan pitches his dream Halloween Wars challenge: having the teams transform his past movie roles—from Mean Girls to his Hallmark holiday films—into nightmarish horror scenes. He shares some of his personal Halloween traditions, including his love for decorating with pumpkins and watching horror movies. 

 

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Damaris Phillips, Host of Outrageous Pumpkins

Fri, 20 Sep 2024

Damaris Phillips reflects on how her Southern and Midwestern roots shaped her culinary style, with family playing a key role in her passion for food. She reminisces about learning to cook biscuits with her grandmother, revealing why biscuits and gravy remain her ultimate comfort food. Damaris shares her creative approach to hosting Kentucky Derby events with fun, themed outfits, like "Clown Couture" and "Animal Print Power Clash." As a passionate advocate for female friendships, she opens up about the importance of girls' trips and how her bond with fellow Food Network Star contestant Nikki Dinki blossomed into a lifelong friendship. The chef discusses her husband’s influence on her vegetarian cookbook, Southern Girl Meets Vegetarian Boy, and shares stories from her time on Food Network Star, where Bobby Flay became a mentor and friend. She teases the new all-star season of Outrageous Pumpkins, where former contestants face off in intricate pumpkin carving challenges. Damaris touches on her love for fall traditions, including her tips for hosting the perfect autumn gathering. 

 

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Jonathon Sawyer on the Sixth Taste Bud You Need to Know About

Fri, 13 Sep 2024

Chef Jonathon Sawyer shares his journey from engineering school to a celebrated culinary star, explaining how a backhanded compliment from a tough chef unexpectedly ignited his passion for cooking. He reflects on his early days as a rookie in the kitchen and memorable moments in culinary competitions, including a loss on Iron Chef America that still lingers in his mind. Jonathon offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his Chicago hotspot, Kindling, where a striking 13-foot wood hearth takes center stage. He talks about some of his more unconventional inspirations, like his famous wood-fired quesadilla inspired by late-night Taco Bell cravings, and his unique foraging adventures, including a roadside stop to marvel at a non-edible green parasol mushroom. The chef explains why wood-fired cooking might be the "sixth taste bud" that connects people to their primal love for flame-grilled flavors. Jonathon opens up about his journey to sobriety and how fatherhood has profoundly shaped his approach to mentoring young chefs and fostering creativity in the kitchen. 

 

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