Well, maybe the topic says it all. I’ve been watching Food Network since ’94. I think it was on for 4 or 5 hours a day. I wasn’t working at the time and I honestly got a lot of time to really focus on cooking. So…
When I was growing up, it wasn’t as chic as it is now to be a chef. I could have gone to Johnson & Wales. I could have really gotten the “chops” to cook in a real kitchen and learn the skills I crave now. Of course, now-a-days, chefs are stars. I really don’t want to be a “star” per se, I just have a (as they call it on the show) culinary point of view I would like the world to see.
I’m not a chef, and when Melissa D’Arabian won TNFNS last season, I began to think I didn’t have to have a restaurant to make the grade. I was happy. It was really invigorating to know that the home cook can be a star (again, not as big about the star thing).
Probably, to understand, I’ve been wanting to be a restaurateur for about 10 years now. Actually, let’s say over 15. I can cook. My stuff is pretty good most of the time. I want to share with the public. But, since I tithe to American Express, Wells Fargo car loans and PNC Mortgage, I doubt that will ever happen. To open that little coffee shop/diner/breakfast and lunch place I envision where I can put out great food for a reasonable price and make it home to cook dinner for my parents.
The Next Food Network Star would take me away for 6 weeks…but the experience would be so helpful to me.
So, why can’t I apply? I have no kitchen to cook in. I may try to do it in my mom’s kitchen but still….I will probably just watch from my couch again. Maybe season 8.
Don’t feel bad for me – I am not looking for pity – just expressing…as I too often do.
