Who cares what famous people eat?
I can't stand it when people use famous people as a resume line item. Like because you cooked for Obama you are now an amazing chef. I don't think cooking for someone famous is an indicator of how good a cook is.
I went to a local event here in Nashville recently and when talking to various chefs from all around the country, almost all of them started with who they have cooked for when I asked them when they knew they became a chef... that tells me nothing.
I just would have thought the answer would have been a little more humble.
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15 Comments:
I agree with you. Its not who you're cooking for, its what you've been inspired to make that counts.
honeywheat at 3:38PM on 08/16/09
Amen.
The sign of a cook cook is an empty plate.
happyeats at 3:45PM on 08/16/09
All the money in the world can't buy good taste, so even if it were celebs bragging on chefs instead of the other way around, I would still be in your camp of not giving a shit.
joyyy at 4:16PM on 08/16/09
I think a lot of these "chefs" have egos the size of Chicago.
tusti at 4:54PM on 08/16/09
Agree with tusti and i will not feed the fire if they start with that type of shit.
pjracz10 at 5:32PM on 08/16/09
I am bothered by the huge egos. But I must say, it's an honor that someone "famous" might enjoy your food. These people have their pick of whatever food they want. Perhaps this is their "shortcut" way of telling you what their reputation is.
You're right though. A person's status or "street cred" (kitchen cred??) should not be defined by what famous person has eaten his/her food.
engmcmuffin at 5:46PM on 08/16/09
I can see the fun in knowing an actor you enjoy ate at a place you frequent/in your neighborhood, but it seems odd that the chefs would be more proud of who has eaten in their restaurant instead of awesome things they've cooked. One is a sign of popularity and the other a sign of someone who actually likes what they do. A chef only has control over one of those things.
Also a lot of famous people also eat completely unhealthy and dangerous diets. I always think of Gwyneth Paltrow's blog and her "detox" suggestions...
gingercookiewithlime at 6:52PM on 08/16/09
I am not saying that I wouldn't be flattered that a famous person enjoyed my food... I'm saying that you should be flattered by anyone that enjoys your food. A famous person has no better taste than anyone.... so why should I be impressed that Brad Pitt likes your fried chicken and waffles. Does that mean you cook the best fried chicken and waffles in the world... no. It just means that some dude ate your poultry and baked batter and didn't think it sucked so bad to send it back.
happyeats at 7:03PM on 08/16/09
I think such a notation makes interesting conversation during the interview. I don't think it classifies one "chef" as better than another.
Until I run an entire kitchen, I correct people when they describe me as a "chef." I'm a cook, dammit.
therealchiffonade at 7:31PM on 08/16/09
i could see people giving such an answer because it's what they think is expected of them - regardless of how you define success, if someone else asks you how you know you've done something, it's easy to get in the habit of giving a response that you think other people will be able to understand/appreciate...so maybe some of these chefs deserve the benefit of the doubt?
and i agree with @engmcmuffin - if someone could eat anywhere (and famous people are more likely to have those options than the non-famous) and they decide to eat your food, then, while not dispositive, makes it more probable that you're cooking something tasty.
billyburgwife at 9:03PM on 08/16/09
If people stopped caring about what famous people did, it would free up half the bandwidth on the internet.
SqueezeBottle at 10:10PM on 08/16/09
good cook = good food
foodbuff at 10:31PM on 08/16/09
I don't care what any celeb eats/does/dates.
It's a pet-peeve of mine.
I guess I'd take their "foodie" advice if they were foodies.
@chiff - Someday you'll make it I'm sure :) stay passionate
hungrychristel at 11:25AM on 08/17/09
Michael Chiarello and Art Smith mentioned who they cooked for a great deal in Top Chef Masters. I don't think this defines why they are great chefs but I think being great chefs led them to the position of cooking for famous people.
Chew on That at 4:48PM on 08/17/09
jeffrey dahmer was famous, did any of these high profile folks ever cook for him?
olddad at 6:15PM on 08/17/09