Earl LeonardJames' Interview Part 3
March 18th 2009 03:35
Check out earlier posts for parts 1 & 2 of this interview of a young chef. To change things up, this time I'll include the questions (answers in italics):
James:
Q. What’s your favourite meal to eat?
Crikey, where to start!?!
Crème Brûlée is definitely up there...
Anything with duck...
Nanna's scones...
Anything cooked by anybody else! (Please forgive me if this sounds slightly negative - we all need a break every now and then)
Q. What’s your favourite restaurant (other than your own!)?
Once again, where do I start?
Annie Smithers' Bistro (Kyneton) - a lovely little, unassuming place
Donovan's (St Kilda) - the definition of consistency
Cicciolinna (St Kilda) - keeping St Kilda cool
Q. Do you cook at home (for yourself or for friends)?
Yeah 'course I cook at home - toast, every morning.
Seriously, no I don't cook as much as I would like... When I do have time to cook at home, I usually find myself doing it at someone else's home - same effect really. Cooking for others is what it's all about for me anyway - it's the closest I come to possessing any attribute that resembles selflessness.
Q. Ever used your culinary powers as a seduction technique? Successfully? Anything to add about the `gastrosexual' phenomenon? (If you've heard of it)
Intentionally - no. However I have managed to lure a few young lasses in with my skills. It seems that seeing such a strapping young lad as myself in the kitchen has an effect on some girls (or I hope it does anyway, otherwise, I've got nothing!)
As far as 'gastrosexual' goes, I've not heard much about it... I'd appreciate it if you could fill me in though - it sounds 'interesting'...
(I did fill him in on the concept after our interview. Check out my earlier post on the topic if need be).
Q. What are your thoughts about the current apparent increase in `celebrity chef’ numbers and profile?
To be honest, I couldn't care less. I enjoy watching TV shows that focus on food, so for that reason I like it, however, as with all TV, it's mostly romanticised bulls**t. It's a bit of fun - don't take it too seriously.
I will take this opportunity to say that I do have grave thoughts about the glorification that the industry receives as a result of this kind of exposure.
I have a lot of respect for Gordon Ramsey as a chef - but nothing excuses any sort of abuse.
I appreciate Jamie Oliver's attempts at helping homeless kids - but you have to question his motives. I know of at least one other chef who has been doing a very similar thing with Vietnamese kids for many years now - without the support of TV companies. This guy has helped hundreds of people, and desires no public acclaim - look up his first restaurant - KOTO (Know One Teach One)
Q. Who’s your favourite/least favourite celebrity chef?
I love Rick Stein - he lives for food. He is simple, quiet and intelligent - and he likes food that is the same.
As far as least favourite celeb chefs would go, I'll have to throw a few into this basket, then lable said basket 'MEDIOCRE'- probably every early morning TV chef. I ask you, "Why Bother?"
Q. Which Iron Chef would you challenge if you had to, and how do you think you’d go?
Poorly, very poorly.
I would challenge the Iron Chef Japan, as it would be more challenging. I'm not saying I would stand a chance against the others, but Iron Chef Japan would prove the most difficult, therefore is the one I would take on first.
James:
Q. What’s your favourite meal to eat?
Crikey, where to start!?!
Crème Brûlée is definitely up there...
Anything with duck...
Nanna's scones...
Anything cooked by anybody else! (Please forgive me if this sounds slightly negative - we all need a break every now and then)
Q. What’s your favourite restaurant (other than your own!)?
Once again, where do I start?
Annie Smithers' Bistro (Kyneton) - a lovely little, unassuming place
Cicciolinna (St Kilda) - keeping St Kilda cool
Q. Do you cook at home (for yourself or for friends)?
Yeah 'course I cook at home - toast, every morning.
Seriously, no I don't cook as much as I would like... When I do have time to cook at home, I usually find myself doing it at someone else's home - same effect really. Cooking for others is what it's all about for me anyway - it's the closest I come to possessing any attribute that resembles selflessness.
Q. Ever used your culinary powers as a seduction technique? Successfully? Anything to add about the `gastrosexual' phenomenon? (If you've heard of it)
Intentionally - no. However I have managed to lure a few young lasses in with my skills. It seems that seeing such a strapping young lad as myself in the kitchen has an effect on some girls (or I hope it does anyway, otherwise, I've got nothing!)
As far as 'gastrosexual' goes, I've not heard much about it... I'd appreciate it if you could fill me in though - it sounds 'interesting'...
(I did fill him in on the concept after our interview. Check out my earlier post on the topic if need be).
Q. What are your thoughts about the current apparent increase in `celebrity chef’ numbers and profile?
To be honest, I couldn't care less. I enjoy watching TV shows that focus on food, so for that reason I like it, however, as with all TV, it's mostly romanticised bulls**t. It's a bit of fun - don't take it too seriously.
I will take this opportunity to say that I do have grave thoughts about the glorification that the industry receives as a result of this kind of exposure.
I have a lot of respect for Gordon Ramsey as a chef - but nothing excuses any sort of abuse.
I appreciate Jamie Oliver's attempts at helping homeless kids - but you have to question his motives. I know of at least one other chef who has been doing a very similar thing with Vietnamese kids for many years now - without the support of TV companies. This guy has helped hundreds of people, and desires no public acclaim - look up his first restaurant - KOTO (Know One Teach One)
Q. Who’s your favourite/least favourite celebrity chef?
I love Rick Stein - he lives for food. He is simple, quiet and intelligent - and he likes food that is the same.
As far as least favourite celeb chefs would go, I'll have to throw a few into this basket, then lable said basket 'MEDIOCRE'- probably every early morning TV chef. I ask you, "Why Bother?"
Q. Which Iron Chef would you challenge if you had to, and how do you think you’d go?
Poorly, very poorly.
I would challenge the Iron Chef Japan, as it would be more challenging. I'm not saying I would stand a chance against the others, but Iron Chef Japan would prove the most difficult, therefore is the one I would take on first.
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