It's the most common question I get on my YouTube channel; "Why don't you have a show on the Food Network?" There are so many answers to this question, the most obvious being, "Have you seen me?"So, when I saw that Food Network was having a Next Food Network Star YouTube Challenge, I was unsure whether or not to enter.
Part of me doubts I'm FN material, and another part wonders if it is even something I'd want to do – I mean, notwithstanding the long hours and semi-poverty, I have a pretty fun gig here.
I finally decided to submit a video, if only for the fact that I am considered to be one of YouTube's best and most popular chefs (and by "one of" I mean "the"), and it would have been bad form not to offer up something to the gallery of entries.
As you know, I'm in New York visiting my mom, and without any of my video equipment. Thankfully an old friend of mine, Jim Kerins from iTownVideo came to rescue and helped me film this clip. In addition to being a great musician, Jim is a Finger Lakes audio/video legend and did an amazing job pulling all this together. Thanks Jim!!! To see more of his great work, check out his YouTube channel here.
One important note, the video had to be under 3 minutes to qualify for the contest, so there was very little time to actually spend on the recipe, hence the severe editing. I will hopefully be able to post a director's cut soon with a lot more footage. Enjoy!
98 comments:
Go Chef John!! Woohooo!!!
I want to be supportive however...I'm living in Israel and am loving your blog, reading it a few times a week,using the receipes all the times. So... I'd hate to see you leave the blog and not enjoy your recepies (since we dont' have FC here) and insights. If this means your staying on the blog - go chef John!
good luck chef john!! I will always wish you the best!
Best of luck, Chef John. As an avid cook, an avid reader, and an avid TV watcher, I think you'd be excellent and entertaining on FN. You have your fans' support.
FN, make the smart move. Sign him while you can.
Bill.
They would be foolish to leave you out, Chef. I think you bring a down-to-earth sensibility to cooking that is sorely missing from TVFN. Like most of pop culture, they focus on superficial elements and the content is, frankly, dull. I would actually consider getting cable tv (well, I'd need a tv first) if you were on TVFN. Good Luck!!!
Chef, I would go back to watching Food Network if they added you to the team! It would be far superior than 3/4s of what is presently on the network. Good luck!
You would be a great addition to the Food Network. Best of luck Chef John!
You nailed it, Chef! And since I am already considering it a done deal, I want to say thanks for all of your video recipes. I have learned so much; this has made me a better, more adventurous cook because you make it look so easy. You deserve all of your successes. Best of luck to you!
Just found you the other day on YouTube. Thanks so much for all you do! YOU ROCK. I, too, stopped watching Food Network because I got tired of the chefs. I'd watch it if you were on. You have a personality which that network is sorely missing. Good luck with your entry!
Just found you the other day on YouTube. Thanks so much for all you do! YOU ROCK. I, too, stopped watching Food Network because I got tired of the chefs. I'd watch it if you were on. You have a personality which that network is sorely missing. Good luck with your entry!
Chef
I'm a real fan and as a fan, I can only wish the best for you. Having said that, I have to say that I used be an avid watcher of The Food Network but they have just morphed into a channel for people who don't really cook but like to get the feeling that they do because they are watching TFN. All those reality shows and competitions are really not what cooking is about. I hope that you are given the chance to take the down-to-earth simplicity and honesty of your videos to TFN. I watch your videos to really try out new things as well as learn a little something about so-called fancy techniques. Please continue the same.
Good luck!
Shantanu.
Good Luck Chef John. If you get on food network I will have to get cable but it would be worth it. Thanks for all the recipes.
Good luck, Chef John!
You are a very funny guy and a great chef, I'm sure you would do very good on tv!
Dear Chef John and Food Wishes fans:
If facebook can get Betty White on SNL, then why can't face book get John on Food Network?
I started a group called I want Chef John (Food Wishes) on Food Network to show support for the most popular You Tube chef.
Please join, and let's see if we can get our food wishes granted.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=126810454028811
Good luck,
Ed
Being a Indian staying in America, I never followed any other American Chefs as you Chef John. Well now I watch more 'Cooking Channel' than FN. If you are on FN well I'll go back to it!!!
Good luck!
Anyway we can help ? :)
Yes, email Food Network and DEMAND that I make the finalist list! ;-)
Thanks to everyone for the amazing support!!
They better take you. You rock! Wonder if there would be enough time to do FN and your blog. You would be missed.
Good luck!
You are definitely FN material, more-so than many of the FN chefs. Keep that in mind even if FN does not select you.
I am conflicted, however, because if you go to FN, then that means no more Foodwishes videos :(
My best wishes to your success in your bid to stardom! I may not be able to see your show in my part of the world but I hope you wont give up your food wishes blog!
Foodnetwork doesn't deserve Chef John. Chef John is all about passion, not gimmicks.
I love love love your videos and recommend them to everyone I know. Good luck!
You certainly deserve it. I could totally imagine you being a FN star. I watch your videos regularly, don't always comment though!!
Very clean video Chef John. Your style is what makes you so popular in your present format. Good luck if that's what you want.
Eric
Good luck on making the cut! Been watching your videos for over a year now. Your humour is a great addition to the videos you make, which of course are always enjoyable to watch.
It's a shame we don't have Food Network in my country (or perhaps region rather?), either way I hope you will continue making videos if you are to get a busy schedule.
All the best!
The one reason I think you would be a great addition to Food Network is because you don't have the classic Chef Narcissism traits and would make the show about cooking and the food not your personality, though of course, your personality is essential to your style of cooking. Now, if you are able to make it to Food Network and do become a chef narcissist, I will admit, I will buy your line of cooking ware. :)
Hello John,
Two years ago I moved from Amsterdam (Netherlands)to the Cleveland area in Ohio. Love it here but since I'm a Foodie there are a lot of challenges to be taken. A few months ago I discovered your site and check on it every day for new recipies! I hope by auditioning for FN you won't lose that calm AND funny attitude. Good luck though and all the best!
Dorothea
Good luck! I absolutely love your blog and it would be very exciting to see you on Food Network.
Been a loyal fan for years!!!!
Dardouni Chicken ala chef John - huge family favorite. Best wishes and totally hope you get it. Best. JH
Hey Chef John,
Best of luck to you! I hope we'll get to see you on the Food Network. Just so you know, you've got a bunch of fans in the Chemical Engineering Department at McGill University in Montreal, we all love to watch your posts! We love your simple and fun style. After all, chemistry is like cooking (just don't lick the spoon!).
Cheers
Dr. Jay
Good luck CJ! I agree with everyone's support and conflicted feelings--I just love your blog, and I send video links to everyone I know (usually with a comment like "watch this video on carbonara--and how cute is he???"). FN hasn't been in my favor since the paradigm shift a few years back--but I will watch your show!!!
Please let me know if I can be inappropriate on your live Food Wishes with Inappropriate Fans episode ;-)
Chef John,
Are you crazy?! You definitely belong on FN! Your entertaining, informative and I've cooked more of your stuff lately than anyone else's! Have you on my Web front page so I can always see what you're making next. The video here is great as well. Best of luck to you!
Pete
Just discovered you a few days ago and I am obsessed with your videos!! They're funny, easy to follow, you make the ingredients simple and everything looks delishhh.
YOU NEED A WIKIPEDIA PAGE BTW.
GOOD LUCK WITH FOOD NETWORK!! I SUPPORT YOU!! :D
Chef John,
If we can only vote for you, you will be the next Food Networks star! And I think you should be ONE!!! Best luck to you!!
Kosim
Thanks to everyone for all the kind and inspiring words!!
Hmmm... A wikipedia page, how does one go about getting one of those?
Chef John, firstly lemme say that I'm a major fan- have watched every video and have eagerly waited for your updates.I really enjoy your work.I really hope and pray that you have your own show on FN- when (note that it's not if :) ) you do, pl remember that your USPs are
1. sense of humour
2. relaxed pace of the videos
3. recipes and techniques for the "common" :D man and
4. close up shots of the food.
All the very best to you
LOVE IT!!!! You definitely have my vote.
Great tone, great personality, great humor... what's not to love? Seriously, if they know what's good for them, they'll give you a shot!
I love FNS, and I love Chef John! However, your recipes come out much better than most of the ones on Food Network!
Good luck Chef John!
Ever since I discovered your blog a few years ago, I have enjoyed your recipes, passion for cooking and sense of humour. All the best!
"Hmmm... A wikipedia page, how does one go about getting one of those?"
If you're Stephen Colbert, you ask the Colbert Nation
If you're Chef John, you ask us. (well 'us' is a loose term for someone out there who can wiki)
you are on there though
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molten_chocolate_cake
They link to you with "Recipe with Video". Mazel tov.
Food wishes is this only blog I come to EVERY SINGLE DAY. Always something different and interesting. I love that you prepare good food using tried and true techniques with a wonderful sprinkle of humor included. TFN would be lucky to have you.
Good luck!
Its all about the passion you bring to cooking. As naive as it may sound you make the average bloke feel like a chef!
What u post is considered gospel to me. I am SERIOUSLY considering leaving my IT degree and enrolling in a Culinary School.
You make dreams come through on screen. You have no idea of the magnitude of your impact. I am on this site EVERYDAY, at work, after work I don't even bother with cable. The wife doesn't mind cause she no longer 'visits' the kitchen as I do all the cooking, breakfast lunch, dinner, special occasions and even birthday parties and family gatherings.
Thanks for everything C.J.
First Post on your site despite being an avid follower.
From living in the US, to the UK, to Sweden, China and finally Canada, your blog has been my one source of continuous food ideas. Not only were each of the recipes perfect - they were memorable on a personal level too.
The lava cake was the desert to which I proposed to my wife. The pork apple cider pan sauce was the main at my first dinner party between the two families, so on and so forth.
Thanks a lot for the food, the memories, and of course, the jokes. Really hope you win it!
Oh Chef, you would be such and amazing contestant on that show, however, maybe you should just get a 'shoe in' with all your fabulous stuff?
Anyway, as an avid watcher of that show, I would love to see you bust your a$$ around Whole Foods as you gather your ingredients :)
Dear chef john
I have been a follower of yours for years and until i saw this video it dawned on me "hey why dont i make an account so i can talk to him' you definatly have my full support your classical cuisine is exactly what food network is missing go get em tiger
p.s. can you please do something with venison its just plain tasty!
sincerly corey
55,000 subscribers?... Chef... are you see somebody else...
Scott - Boston
Chef:
Good luck on the FN gig. If you made it, that would make two shows worth watching there (the other being the essential Good Eats with Alton Brown). There hasn't been a good instructional show on since Molto Mario.
I'm really tired of all the "competition" shown on FN. I know they're there to capture the younger male demographic but hey, I'm not a younger male (male, yes, young, no). Iron Chef America has a certain charm to it (hey, it's got AB doing the commentary), but, in general, cooking is not a contest and I think it demeans the art.
Good luck Chef John, we're all rooting for you!
This blog is like a magnet!
I believe that with your great personality and all these great recipes you earn a space in food network.
YAY, chef john!!!! wishing you all the best of luck! with your awesome cooking style, wonderful recipes, sense of humor... they'd be stupid if they don't pick you. seriously.
I have mixed feelings about this to be honest. I find myself very irritated by the way the food network produces its show. How the lens of the camera seems to spend just as much time focused on the chefs face as it does with the food (and on some shows its almost all on their face.)
I dont have a problem with Giada's breasts... I really like them but I'd rather be looking at the food.
The worst case example is the BBC's 6 part series with Heston Blumenthal (Kitchen Chemistry.) They literally had the camera looking right into his eyes and mouth for a good part of those shows.
What makes your videos so great is that we don't see you (don't that that the wrong way, please.) We see the FOOD being prepared and cooked!
Whatever happened to the mustachioed George Clooney?
good luck chef john! hope you don't forget us foodies/fans of your blog when you get big in FN! ;)hope you all the luck in the world!(except the bad ones lol)
Go Chef John! Are we gonna have to wait till 2-Aug for the voting to start??
Bribe us with nice new recipes, Chef, and we inundate FN with votes and emails as a quid-pro-quo ;-)
All the best! You deserve to win!
Wonderful video --- good quick recipe. As usual you gave a thorough process to follow and included some basic cooking tips (finish with butter, let meat rest) while selling yourself --- all in just 3 minutes. Packed with power. Great job and best of luck!
Chef John,
Aside from bombing your Youtube video post with supportive comments, is there anything else your fans can do?!
Michelle, I guess people could email TFN and tell them to give me a shot, but other than that I don't think there is much to do.
I want to thank everyone again for the AMAZING comments and well wishes!!! I clearly have the BEST readership of any food blog anywhere!
"Shoot for the moon, and even if you miss you'll be among the stars"
YOU GO CHEF!!!!!
Chef John! I really hope you get the chance to work at the foodnetwork. I have been watching your videos for for about 3 years now (maybe a bit more) and I've always enjoyed the new recipes and tricks and just the overall learning experience i get from your videos. I have cooked up countless times some of the recipes on here for myself and friends and all your advice on the different recipes have always worked for me. Really, I'd love to see that it's possible to have the simple traits of passion and dedication for something and are still the only things necessary to fulfill dreams.
Thanks for all your videos, best regards and good luck!!
Chef John... I've learned so many great recipes from you and if Food Network will at all consider fan recommendations we will rally to get your your own show! But please don't forget us when you're big and famous! ;-)
Best of luck!
Time to put the casket 6 ft under, because you nailed it... can't wait to see you on food network
Best of Luck Chef!!!
I think you would be great on the Food Network... I'll be cheering for you.
One quick observance (please take no offense) When you're on camera STOP talking with your hands and moving them in time with your speech cadence... It is distracting to the camera audience... and the big wigs at FN...
You're a wonderful teacher with a great voice and culinary intellect...
Bon chance!!!
Henry
hope to see u you on TV .... Goodluck :-D
You've got my vote, but don't lose the blog. Cook on!
Did you actually get a strong encouragement from someone, suddenly and close to a deadline?
Food Network has nothing on you. When you get in please don't let anyone at FN dictate how you do your Chef part.
Super video- they'd be crazy not to take you!
OK, I'm breaking my iron-clad rule of never saying something in a comment that's already been said.
Smart, skilled, clear, engaging, approachable, funny, enthusiastic -- it's all there. But here's the thing. You make me want to cook more. FN needs you.
Great job Chef John! The Food Network would be crazy not to take you. Your knowledge of food, your friendly and engaging style, your great sense of humor, and best of all your choice of recipes geared towards real people (not those who subscribe to snooty food magazines), makes you the best candidate for the Food Network... Oh and my wife adds, your good looks. How can you lose???
We wish you all the luck, but please don’t take this site down.
It about time. Even your "Freakishly Small Spoon" is bigger than "Good Eats".
love it...is there a way we can vote?
A Chef John Food Network show...hell yeah!!
Chef John, best of luck to you! I emailed Food Network today in your support. :)
I would love nothing more than to see you on my favorite channel! Keep up the great work that you do on this blog!
Can you be as humorous in real time as you are on the videos? If so, they might as well not have the contest and just give you the prize.
Chef John, if the Food Network does not pick you, then it would make me question the validity of their existence. When I watch the celebrity chefs, I merely attempt to COPY them. When I watch you, I'm INSPIRED to be creative. You have a personable demeanor and a jolly sense of humor that comes across in spades in your videos. You've got "street cred" AND camera presence. What are you waiting for Food Network?? John is your guy! Better snag him before he finds a larger calling in life and snubs your offer!!!
I wish I could thank everyone of you individually, but that's not possible, so let me say again how touched and inspired I am by all these comments. I love you guys!
I started reading your blog last summer and the first time I heard your voice I assumed you must alreaaady have a tv show. It's a great voice, a classic. And your recipes are great too. Best of luck.
Chef John, I never even cooked oatmeal before I tried your stuffed bell pepper recipe (great by the way). I've used many of your recipes now and looking at FW for something to cook just makes my day.
Your recipes make me look like I know what I'm doing, and the whole family appreciates the results.
I've shown my appreciation with paypal and I thank you very much!
Wow, Chef John! I've just discovered that we do indeed get the Food Network at my house, and I've got to say that if you had a show it would be my #1 to watch!It's always exciting to see your videos, and your wife's chocolate cookies were a hit at the 2009 office Christmas Cookie Exchange. Good luck with the audition!! You'll do GREAT!
I've been watching you from the beginning. I'm so excited for you. They would be fools not to sign you up immediately. Good Luck!
Everyone's already said it. But let me add my 2 cents. I follow two food blogs religiously (though I check on others). You and David Lebovitz. And, let's be honest, I rarely actually MAKE what he's cooking.
I hope you make it, and will vote for you. You're the best.
Funny, inspiring, inteligent and a great voice, but enough about me ;)
I've always thought you would one day move on to great things, maybe this is it!
Good luck, I hope you make it, you definately deserve it!
Just don't forget about us here :)
I Love You Chef John, everyone at work and my outside world knows I am just simply addicted.... BTW I'm going to try that recipe, I'll let you know how it turns out, delish I'm sure.
Hey Food Network!
Sign this guy before somebody else does! He's clearly money in the bank!
The guy single handedly (literaly one handedly...often with one hand on the camera) taught thousands of people to cook for FREE! I say what does Bobby Flay have that Chef John aint got?!?!
best of luck to you chef john. thx for making me a better cook. both, myself and my familiy really appreciate it
Love you (platonically)! Love your cooking! I hope you get your show, cause I point everyone I know who wants to learn how to really cook well and delicious towards your blog and videos.
My only suggestions are 1) smile more, at the end there you really looked great when you smile. This is your passion, you should look like you love it, heck I don't have to tell you that.
And 2) loose the black chef's coat, I know you're classically trained, but I think your velvet voice could cook with a smoking jacket, you're that smooth!
Good luck, and I look forward to all your new recipes.
Wow!!!! What can I say that hasn't already been said by your fans. I hope to see you on FN very soon. And then in like 2 years, you would be an Iron Chef.....and then I would say to my friends "see that guy right there? I used to know him when....." you get the idea.
Best of luck to you Chef John...Best of luck indeed.
I tried that recipe last night, like I said I would. I used your steak house seasoning from the dry aged beef episode.. AMAZING... that sauce was OMG..... soooooo good, it blew A1 out of the water!!(I am an A1 sauce addict)I didn't have sherry vinegar, so I used white wine vinegar instead, very nice.
Keep Cooking!
I don't know anybody else on YouTube who deserves a show on Food Network. In fact, it's not so much a matter of whether or not Chef John deserves it: Food Network would be lucky to have such a friendly and accessible chef on their lineup. Forget the training and the background: this man's food and presentation speak volumes that no diploma or credential could even begin to express.
Chef John, remember this: you don't need Food Network. Food Network needs you. You're giving them an opportunity to sign on a chef who could become an American mainstay in culinary culture, someone who skips the high-falutin' fads and cuts right to the good stuff.
I truly wish you the best, and good luck!
I commented on food network's YT account telling them to get chef john on food network. Heck, your recipes make things so simple and easy. The first time I watched you on youtube, I was like, where are the ingredient amounts? But now, I am a faithful follower of your blog.
One question though. Will you continue to maintain this blog to some extent (if you have time) if you become a food network star? That is my biggest concern. I would love to see you blow up on Food Network (not literally, of course) but I do not want to lose the ability to fake that I have any skill at all in cooking.
Thanks Chef John!!!
-ChanimalCrackers
I'm not a guy that really likes cooking, and aside from eating what my wife fixes I don't really have that "passion" but you are the ONLY food blog/show I keep track of and I hope that you're able to find a home on food network (but please don't give up the blogging).
PS. I got my wife to make those stuffed bell peppers and they were the BEST.
New stove, Chef? You used to have a gas burner. Either way, you've got my vote, but oooonly if your show is developed around the angle of you being a food blogger and not just another questionable d-bag cook on that channel.
Good luck Chef John! I am pretty sure you will get in and have a show at FN!
Best of luck, Chef John! This video entry further proves your excellence and wit. As you can tell, I really, really want you to have that show on Food Network! Admittedly, there's something terribly "lacking" about the many of those celebrity Chefs that currently grace the Food Network. I still tune in from time to time but it's not really that fulfilling or enjoyable. I spend much more time watching your Youtube videos and reading your blog.
Together, your skill, knowledge, sarcasm, and humor have made me a bit bolder, competent, and capable in the culinary field. I've never been active in the kitchen since my parents always cook at home and while I'm away at college, I don't have a kitchen of my own and have to rely on my school's dining services. I cook (practice) whenever and wherever I can, usually summer breaks and holidays. But I'm graduating in December and soon after getting married to a man whose a bit of a klutz in the kitchen! It's on me to feed us both but thanks to you my future husband and I won't starve.
Thank you, Chef John! You truly are the best! I hope to see you soon, preferably on a screen larger than my laptop display.
P.S. Those Boston Baked Beans are killer! Phenomenal! Made them last night... what a hit! I'm going to make them for my in-laws, who are notorious for religiously popping open the "pork and beans" cans. Gonna show them what real baked beans are about. ;)
Best regards!
Thanks so much! Sounds like he's a lucky man.
You would kick all the other finalists ass's for sure! It would be no competition at all.
I would like to exchange links with your site www.blogger.com
Is this possible?
I love this blog...you make cooking look easy and fun! I hope FN chooses you.
My daughter Sophie is learning a lot about cooking from your show! Regards, Nina from Detroit (Basel, Switzerland)
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