[1], Marcel Vigneron and Elia Aboumrad returned to compete in Top Chef: All-Stars. in 2014.[35]. Indian-American model and host of reality television show Top Chef Padma Lakshmi shared a hilarious meme recently on her Instagram handle. Elimination Challenge: The contestants were split into two teams: Team Vietnam and Team Korea. [60] In October 2022, Lakshmi was honored at the 20th edition of the ACLU's Sing Out For Freedom benefit concert along with Patti Smith and Shaina Taub.[61]. Top Chef has had its fair share of celebrity guest judges over the course of its 15-season run, but for host Padma Lakshmi, there's one famous face . Fill a medium saucepan with water. Subscribe to The Daily Dish podcast, join our Facebook group, and follow us on Instagramfor the latest news hot off the presses. Pretty much any chef will agree that those are some harsh conditions to create a meal under, but with some of the other competitors cranking out dishes like a ham and swiss cheese quiche or a duo of cracklings with lemon and rice pudding, Midgley's creation just didn't hold up. Chef Michael Midgley is known for his appearance on Top Chef, Season Two, Food Network's Cutthroat Kitchen, CNBC's Restaurant Startup, and more! It's really surprising. She said students also bullied her for being Indian. Answer: It's been funny. On Thursday, the 50-year-old Top Chef host shared a photo of herself to Instagram posing in front of a mirror and showing off her toned abs in a black bra. He hadn't owned a restaurant in Miami, studied the culinary arts in Paris or worked under famed chef Jol Robuchon. Published by at February 16, 2022. Padma Parvati Lakshmi ( Tamil pronunciation: [pdm lkmi]; born September 1, 1970) [1] is an Indian-born American author, activist, actress, model, philanthropist, and television host. Hes been writing online for over a decade and never dreamed hed be in the position he is today. She played the role of Geeta in Paul Mayeda Berges's 2005 film The Mistress of Spices. We are good friends and we have the same first priority, which is her.". (209) 474-7700. Remove asparagus from boiling water with a slotted spoon and transfer immediately to the ice water. The show has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program from season 2 through season 19, with season 6 winning the award in 2010. Eating delicious food at a beautiful restaurant certainly leaves a good impression, but nothing sticks out more than a terrible meal. Cook until mushrooms are tender. He was just at my house a couple of weeks ago. Lakshmi is fluent in English, Tamil, Hindi, Italian, and Spanish. People just care if the food is good and it doesn't have to be four star. At the judges' table, the losing teams made allegations regarding the "bending" or "breaking" of the rules in the Elimination Challenge by members of the winning team. [11] She has said, "I was the first Indian model to have a career in Paris, Milan, and New York. 'Top Chef' secrets revealed: From the judges' mouths to your ears. Elimination Challenge: The chefs were required to prepare a dish using the five ingredients provided in a mystery crate. Here, some of the best bits: Chocolate and chicken liver dont mix: The worst dish Eric Ripert, who has made a total of five appearances on Top Chef, ever ate on the show was Ilans chocolate ganache with chicken liver on season 2. Totally.". As Team Korea loaded up their. You would think that after 18 seasons on the air and hundreds of bites of food, the "Top Chef" judges have long forgotten the dishes that weren't up to par, but not for Lakshmi. Still, he did redeem himself: she notes that his liver ganache was one her all-time favorites. To serve: Divide mushrooms between plates, spreading into a thin layer in the center of each plate. Lakshmi's first cookbook, Easy Exotic, a compilation of international recipes and short essays released in 1999, was awarded the Best First Book at the 1999 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Versailles. Lakshmi's . ambulance tailgate conversion The chefs need to identify the higher quality ingredient. People named Mike Midgley. The sins were drawn from the knife block, but Michael, as the Quickfire winner, was given the opportunity to swap his sin, Lust, for Marcel's Envy. Dec 1, 2009, 05:12 AM EST | Updated Dec 6, 2017. Top Chef: Los Angeles is the second season of the American reality television series Top Chef. [12] The arm injury required surgery, from which she retained a seven-inch scar between her elbow and shoulder. Cover and set aside. [33] In 2006, she appeared in ABC's Biblical TV series The Ten Commandments as Princess Bithia. Mick likes good television, but also reality television. Rushdie stated that Lakshmi had asked for a divorce in January 2007,[41] and later that year, in July, the couple filed it. [42][43] She dated billionaire Theodore J. "I didn't feel any different, I didn't feel any less American, even though I ate rice and curry or even though my name was Padma or I spoke to my mother in a different language, I felt as American as anybody else in my classroom," she said. Ilan videotaped the incident with a video camera borrowed from production and could be heard in the recording encouraging the other contestants to use the clippers on Marcel. [55], Lakshmi is the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ambassador for immigration and women's rights. Quickfire Challenge: The chefs created flamb dishes in a limited amount of time. [53] She is a global ambassador for Keep a Child Alive, and since 2007 has traveled to sites in India on their behalf. Marcel chose Sam and Michael, and Ilan chose Elia and Betty. Bravo Insider is your VIP pass to never-before-seen content, exclusive giveaways, and so much more. Newlyweds Kanye West And Bianca Censori Spotted Out On Date Night, But Have They Made It Legal Yet? Now, she is a single mother, bestselling author, and can speak five languages fluently. What many people may not realize, however, is that she has also acted in movies and TV shows a handful of times over the years. In 1999, she published a cookbook titled "Easy Exotic," and followed it up with another called "Tangy, Tart, Hot, and Sweet" in 2007. A Cheeto mixed with chocolate sounds bad, but chocolate-dipped liver sounds like an absolute nightmare to taste. Elimination Challenge: The chefs prepared a five-course meal to be served to the usual judges' panel and five additional guest judges at one of two restaurants in the Hilton Waikoloa Village. At the age of 36, Lakshmi was diagnosed with endometriosis,[49] which she has had since early adolescence. Initially, she was super self-conscious of the mark, but now. From this point on, the winner of the Quickfire Challenge no longer received immunity from elimination. [22], Lakshmi is also the creator, host, and executive producer of Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, which premiered on Hulu on June 18, 2020,[23] and received the Gotham Award for Breakthrough Series [24] and a Critic's Choice Award for Best Culinary Show. I dont have a to cook a damn thing. $10 at Amazon $10 at Walmart $14 at Nordstrom Rack. He wasn't even the only one during Top Chef Season 2. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. [17][18], Lakshmi has appeared on the covers of Redbook, Vogue India, FHM, Cosmopolitan, L'Officiel India, Asian Woman, Elle, Avenue, Industry Magazine, Marie Claire (India Edition), Harper's Bazaar, Town & Country, and Newsweek. [31] She has appeared on See Us Coming Together, "a special that celebrates the rich diversity of Asian and Pacific Islander communities as part of Sesame Workshops ongoing racial justice initiative. The Executive Chef at Ernie's Food & Spirits has. Chef Michael Midgley Bring to a boil. Even before then, Mikedidn't hold back while talking to cheftestant Ilan Hall at his team's restaurant. martin luther king jr vietnam war speech transcript; July 3, 2022 afatds message format Interestingly enough, Hall, who ended up winning season two of "Top Chef," also holds the honor of being the chef behind the best dish that Lakshmi has eaten on the show a Spanish noodle dish with chorizo and clams (via Showbiz Cheat Sheet). "The book tries to show young children how writing down recipes is literally saving pieces of our family history.". The scar resulted from a brutal car accident when she was 14. Lakshmi herself can recall one instance in particular, when a dish was just flat-out bad and has no problem calling out its creator either. I just had to sit back and let it roll. Using two sizes of round cookie cutters, cut fish fillets into circles, using the smaller cutter for the trout. And it wont be subtle if we take into consideration his nationally recognized awards. It was a themed . The contestants' city and state of residence during time of filming. In 2020, Lakshmi won three Critic's Choice Awards for Top Chef. And it was neon yellow too. And we made a pact that we were going to stand tall and not sell anyone out. ^Note 2: Otto voluntarily withdrew before Lakshmi eliminated anyone, deciding that his misconduct over the unpaid lychees contributed the most to his team's loss. Restaurants send me food. STOCKTON - Michael Midgley was the Bravo "Top Chef" contestant who did not arrive with an impressive pedigree. In effect, Lakshmi began her modeling career at age 21, when a modeling agent discovered Lakshmi while she studied abroad in Madrid. Add fish circles and cook until flesh is firm and opaque. James Beard Award-Winning Chef Chris Bianco serves as the guest judge for the Quickfire Challenge. Quickfire Challenge: The chefs made a Bailey's Irish Cream mix drink and an accompanying dish. Question: Were you surprised that you were eliminated? [56] She has also spoken about the colorism she has experienced while living in India and the United States. New episodes air every Thursday at 10/9c or catch up on this season through theBravo app. Lakshmi attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts and graduated with a degree in theater arts and American literature in 1992. Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi, and Gail Simmons, along with the chefs participating in. Chef Midgley has been named a brand ambassador for the Certified Angus Beef brand. The latest season of Top Chef airs on Bravo Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. The winner received immunity from elimination. Now, she has learned to love it. Top Chef season 13 finale recap: The winner is Top Chef recap: Back Where It All Started, Top Chef California premiere recap: Stop the Presses, 'Top Chef' recap: 'Getting Prickly in Mexico', Top Chef recap: 'The Final Battle of Beantown'. She is also the creator, host, and executive producer of the critically-acclaimed [2] docuseries Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, which premiered in June 2020 on Hulu and explores the food and culture of immigrant and indigenous communities across America. They get weeded out., Too much bull-. (referring to Ilans chocolate ganache-chicken liver dish), [Kevin is] the garden gnome version of Martin Fisher. You just put s--t inside of it, and you roll it up. 5,002 likes. Elimination Challenge: The 12 chefs were divided into four teams and were required to create a meal that did not exceed 500 calories (2,100kJ) to serve at a camp for diabetic and overweight children. Check out never-before-seen content, exclusive sweepstakes, and much more! The Daily Dish is your source for all things Bravo, from behind-the-scenes scoop to breaking news, exclusive interviews, photos, original videos, and, oh, so much more. Other fun facts: Black beans give Gail the heebie-jeebies, and the reason Padma sounds so robotic when she describes the challenges is because shes wearing an earpiece through which all of the legally approved info is being fed to her. Known for her love of food, she has published several cookbooks and hosted the reality show Top Chef. [44][45], On February 22, 2010, Lakshmi gave birth to her daughter with businessman Adam Dell. "Michael Midgley, on my first California season, made this weird canape with some kind of chocolate bar rolled in coconut with a Cheeto stuck in the middle of it," she explained to the outlet, noting that she was "happy" to namedrop the meal's creator. Padma Lakshmi is a model, actress and author with work spanning across the United States and Europe. This week on Top Chef Houston, it was time to celebrate Houston's greatest export: the girlboss. Get a VIP pass to never-before-seen content, exclusive sweepstakes, and much more! Since the opening of his highly successful restaurant he has competed and won Chili and Clam Chowder cook-offs every year in Santa Cruz, been named a Certified Angus Beef Ambassador, business man of the year, best Chef in San Joaquin County for 8 years in a row, and competed in and judged dozens of local and national cooking competitions. "I remember eating the whole baking dish full of it, or my portion, then asking Eric Ripert who was our guest judge if he was going to eat the rest of his," she recalled. The host had. Early Life. It was just dumb and not very good. In 2009, Lakshmi starred in the video for the Eels song "That Look You Give That Guy. Elimination Challenge: The chefs had to create a dish updating a "childhood classic" to fit the menu of T.G.I. As he reached celebrity chef status, he has appeared as a judge on Esquire networks Knife Fight and Bravos Top Chef Masters, as well as appearing on CNBCs Restaurant Start up with his wife, Laci. Ilan and Marcel were then allowed to choose two chefs. The fact that Ilan Hall delivered one of the worst things Padma Lakshmi ever tasted in the final episode, and still won, proves just how subjective taste is. The stunningly beautiful Padma Lakshmi, in her new memoir 'Love, Loss, and What We Ate,' serves up the hot, steaming dish about the egotistical writer. A producer kindly came over and snatched the flowers out of Padmas hand. mike midgley top chef padma giorgio armani winter collection juin 30, 2022. chirp inmate texting 8:15 8:15 I'm happy to call him out. She portrayed Madhuvanthi in the TV movie Sharpe's Challenge (aired 2006). [1] The season premiered on October 18, 2006 and ended on January 31, 2007. There must have been something in the water where season two of "Top Chef" was filmed, as the second dish that Lakshmi dubbed the worst she's eaten on the show came out of that cycle as well. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 basil leaves and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Marcel freed himself from Cliff's hold and slept in a bathroom. Rafael Lunetta guest judges. Whos Eating Radicchio with Tom Colicchio? In fact, some of it is so good that they end up spending hours at the judge's table deciding which chef should be deemed the winner of a challenge and which one has to hear the dreaded instructions to "please pack your knives and go." Quickfire Challenge: Each chef made an amuse-bouche dish using $10 of ingredients from a vending machine. However, the other contestants understood that the rules required that once the calorie calculations had been completed by the nutritionists, the recipes could not be further modified. Quickfire Challenge: The chefs had to prepare a dish using Nestl chocolatier products. "But they didn't feel I was as American.". The "Top Chef" Quickfire Challenge was about to start filming, and Padma Lakshmi the Bravo show's longtime host, judge and executive producer was being fussed over by people wearing . Season 1, who was just the worst," Tom said, referring to Chef Mike Yakura. Mike is an experienced healthcare risk manager, nurse, insurance professional and attorney. Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival, "Bravo's 'Top Chef 2' to begin filming this month, premiere in October", "Bravo VP: "we did not alter the integrity of what happened" with Marcel hazing; no reunion due to viewer reaction", "Top Chef: May the Best Chef Win (Season 2 Finale Recap)", "Bravo Sets Top Chef: Seattle Premiere Date, Adds New Judge", "Bravo's 'Top Chef Duels' Lands Premiere Date, Celebrity Guests (Exclusive)", "What?! So in high school, she went by Angelique. Chef Mike. But that's not to say that there hasn't been a time or two when the food on the plate has been less than ideal. All rights reserved. Former executive chef at Google Charlie Ayers comes in at 12th position with a net worth of $45 million. Ilan Hall, second season, last episode. Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi has a noticeable scar on her right arm. As we all know, Padma Lakshmi is most famous for two things, her tenure hosting Top Chef and her highly successful modeling career. Sounds pretty artsy, eh? A Top Chef Alum Could Return to the Competition in Season 15", "Top Chef Is Bringing Back 8 Fan Favorite Contestants See Who Made the Cut", "Editing of Marcel's head-shaving attempt may have understated Elia's role", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Top_Chef:_Los_Angeles&oldid=1127264891, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Orange Team: Carlos, Elia, Frank, Ilan, Marisa, Michael, Suyai, Black Team: Betty, Cliff, Emily, Josie, Marcel, Mia, Otto, Sam, Team Vietnam: Betty, Carlos, Emily, Josie, Mia, Michael, Sam, Team Korea: Cliff, Elia, Frank, Ilan, Marcel, Marisa, Otto, Mia (15 Minute Salad with Garbanzo Beans, Green Beans, Artichoke Hearts & Mint), Frank (Fruit & Coconut Salad with Blueberry Yogurt Cream), Third Course: Roasted Pork Loin, Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Creamy, First Course: Barbecue Coffee Chicken Wing, Second Course: Tempura Vegetables & Mozzarella with, Third Course: "The M.E.C. "[34], She starred in the 2003 Bollywood film Boom, alongside Katrina Kaif and Madhu Sapre, as one of three supermodels accused of stealing diamonds. A USTIN, TexasPadma Lakshmi doesn't have a poker face. The remaining contestants were not allowed to use the same proteins that Sam chose. How awesome is that?. Luckily for Michael Midgley, he was not the only contestant to use chocolate in a way Padma Lakshmi didn't approve. ", And the chefs could feel how disappointed Mikewas with their cooking. He wasn't even the only one during Top Chef Season 2. "It was just dumb and not very good," Lakshmi told Uproxx. chatted with Times staffers about their careers, creative processes and pop culture as a whole. A couple of weeks after she showed up at the Emmys in a belly-hugging purple dress, the 'Top Chef' host has confirmed to Us Weekly that she is expecting her first child: "Model, author, and Emmy-nominated Padma Lakshmi confirms that she is carrying her first child after years of . An opportunity to work with Michelle Bernstein at the Sagamore Hotel in Miami on the Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival. Sign up to become a Bravo Insider and be the first to get exclusive extras. Fortunately, if a dish isn't to your liking while dining out, you can just push your plate aside and plan to hit up the McDonald's drive-thru on the way home. Elimination Challenge: Each chef made two dishes based on classic Hawaiian dishes with a twist. "[32], Her first film roles were in the Italian pirate movies The Son of Sandokan and Caraibi (Pirates: Blood Brothers). Burger" with House Made Chips, Fourth Course: Braised & Grilled Beef Short Rib with Mushrooms &, Second Course: Cucumber & Radish Salad with Citrus, Fourth Course: North Short Strip Loin with Garlic Pure, Crispy, This page was last edited on 13 December 2022, at 19:49. The contestants were separated into two groups and received different crates. Here were some of my favorite lines, many of which included similes and metaphors: The terrible food usually happens in the first half of production. ET. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Facial Cleansing Towelettes. After being accused of sexual harassment, Erales is now telling his . mike midgley top chef padmacat costa bt24. "Forgettable," "arrogant," and "unimpressive" are just some of the choice words heused to describe the chefs' dishes. In a small saucepan, melt remaining butter over medium low heat. For Tom, that distinction goes to another Season 2 cheftestant, Elia Aboumrad. When she became an American citizen, she officially changed her name to Padma Lakshmi in honor of her mother, Vijaya Lakshmi. She has also been a critic of skin-lightening creams that are marketed to people of color. He was 46. In the end, it was Midgley who was told to pack up his knives and leave as the final five contestants move toward the season finale and the Top Chef title. Get a VIP pass to never-before-seen content, exclusive sweepstakes, and much more! [38] Her first memoir, Love, Loss and What We Ate, was released on International's Women's Day, March 8, 2016. And I'm getting a free haircut. "[15] Lakshmi was able to pay off her college loans by working as a model and actress. He grew up on Star Wars, DC, Marvel, and pro wrestling and loves to discuss and dissect most of it. "[59] In December 2021, she received the Advocate of the Year Award by the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA). Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. ^Note 3: After allegations of cheating, the judges decided not to eliminate anyone. Michael Midgley, on my first California season, made this weird canap with some kind of chocolate bar rolled in coconut with a Cheeto stuck in the middle of it. Chef Michael Midgley has emerged from his kitchen with another tasty creation. "Michael Midgley, on my first California season, made this weird canape with some kind of chocolate bar rolled in coconut with a Cheeto stuck in the middle of it," she explained to the outlet, noting that she was "happy" to namedrop the meal's creator. Answer: I definitely want to plan something maybe get a little sports bar and grill but, do it totally different and not just have dirty bar food. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, The winner received immunity from elimination. Top Chef 2023 returns for Season 20 on Bravo in London for a "World All-Stars" showdown. Chef Midgley has been named a brand ambassador for the Certified Angus Beef brand. [1] Padma Lakshmi replaced Katie Lee Joel as the host, with Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons returning as judges. Guest judging are Michelle Bernstein, Scott Conant, Wylie Dufresne, Hubert Keller, and Roy Yamaguchi. The teams took turns serving their dishes to the judges and the other group of contestants. Quickfire Challenge: The remaining chefs created dishes using three different canned foods in 15 minutes. Ilan cooked at Donatoni's Restaurant, while Marcel cooked at Imari Restaurant. Answer: I was. MikeYakura definitely didn't mince words when he appeared as a guest judge in Top Chef Season 1, Episode 5, providing his critiques on the cheftestants' Latin American fusion dishes that they served from a street cart in the Mission District of San Francisco. Ernie's chef Mike Midgley will appear in three episodes, beginning Oct. 29. "Michael! Log In. Dominating most of the event, she was none too shy to interrupt Eric or Gail and when she did, she usually had something amazingly awkward to say. Shes such a great unsung hero, Padma said. "Krishna's father is very involved in her life, so he is a co-parent, but it's different if you're married and living with the child's other parent," Lakshmi told Yahoo News in 2021. [19] She also posed nude for the May 2009 issue of Allure. "I am just finding out how many lives he touched," she. When I heard Sam say those things about me it was pretty rough. [29], Lakshmi was also an official contributor for season 19 of The View from 2015 to 2016. Question: What has it been like watching yourself on the show? The 48-year-old Top Chef host posted a photo of herself rocking a black string bikini, with a cowboy hat resting on top of her face, with the caption: "Big yee haw energy at #sxsw ." And her . Please refresh the page and try again. He has also competed with his wife, Laci, on CNBC's "Restaurant Start up" and most recently the newest show on the Food Network "Tailgate Takedown". I didn't think our team was going to lose and I didn't make any mistakes. Fortunately, she was able to find one silver lining from the tasting the "entertaining" experience of watching Hall try to defend his unique concoction to guest judge Eric Ripert. Mike earned a BS from . "My main mission as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador is to shine a spotlight on the fact that inequality can affect people in rich and poor countries alike. [11], Two days after her discharge from the hospital, she was injured in a car accident in Malibu, California, which left her with a fractured right hip and a shattered right upper arm. When Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on March 19, the Top Chef judges were asked some eyebrow-raising questions by "The Shady Sharp Knife," which you can check out in the clip, above. "That was a big thing for me.". All rights reserved I want to do it here in Stockton, where I am from. Cook for 30-45 seconds until asparagus turns bright green. Michael Midgley, everyone's favorite local chef, is making headlines once again for pulling off a win on Food Network's new cooking show Cutthroat Kitchen. I'll tell you. "I ate all of mine and Eric Riperts portion!". They spin things the way they want it. On each show, four chefs compete in three cooking elimination rounds until only one remains standing. Learn about the new season's premiere date, judges, contestants, cast, prizes, spoilers and location. The conclusion of Top Chef's Portland-set 18th season has arrived with controversy.On Thursday, July 1, Gabe Erales was crowned the winner of the Bravo competition series, beating out fellow . Padma has kept in touch with Dale (season 3) and Hung (season 3 winner), but both women sang the praises of Lee Anne Wong, who went from season one cheftestant to Top Chef culinary producer until the end of season six. .mw-parser-output .citation{word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}^Note 1: The chef(s) did not receive immunity for winning the Quickfire Challenge. David Moir/Bravo. So in high school, she went by Angelique. In all that time, she's tasted a few questionable things, but one has stood out above all others as the worst meal she's ever had on the program. The cooking environment and available tools were unknown to the contestants until their arrival at the challenge. How Marvel went big with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. That same seasonin Los AngelesElia Aboumrad also served up . "Mike Yakura was a bit rude, and being front of the house, you have to take it all in stride," Ilan said in an interview during the episode. It's impressive that the experience was so bad that it stuck with Lakshmi for over a decade, per her interview with Uproxx. Bravo cited negative viewer reaction to the Season 2 chefs' attitudes and overall behavior as the reason why no reunion episode was filmed. Remove from oven and set aside. Midgleys Public House is an exciting, culinary experience serving American-fusion, paired with spirits and fine wine. The winners of the challenge were able to skip the Elimination Challenge altogether. Why? It was terrible!" [4], Fifteen chefs were selected to compete in Top Chef: Los Angeles. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. So there you have it: That's Padma's (mostly natural) routine to keeping her skin clean . But that didn't keep the former line cook from Lodi's Wine & Roses Restaurant from outlasting much of the competition. After pondering that question for a moment, Gail recalled a guest judge "from one of our early seasons," which jogged Tom's memory. Today, Midgley dishes with The Record on the "Top Chef" judging process, what it's been like watching himself on television and what the future holds for his cooking dreams.