Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Life is Just a Bowl of Top Ramen Noodles

I get lots of email. Lots of great inspiring email, with great questions, and great compliments for me and my videos, and the occasional bizarre request that makes me chuckle. And, while it’s tempting to post some of these, I never have because of the obviously self-indulgent, self-serving nature of such an act. I can’t imagine coming to your favorite food blog and reading a post like “Hey everybody, check out this email and how great they think I am!” Well, I’m making a one-time exception, and posting an email I received today.

As you know from the last few posts, I’m in the middle of a very intense and time-consuming try-out for a position with About.com. If I get it, it would allow me the freedom to continue producing a steady supply of free video recipes for your viewing pleasure. I’ve been up working late into the night, and generally feeling overwhelmed, as I try to get as much done as I can before leaving for my sister's wedding Wednesday. So, the following email came at just the perfect time. Thanks Ginny, you made my day, and I feel like I have gotten my second wind, and will actually somehow pull off finishing this project during my trip. By the way, the email was inspiring enough, but the “P.S” about Rachel Ray made me laugh out loud, and is what really pushed me out of the darkness and into the light. From one former starving, Top Ramen-eating student to another, thanks again!! Here is the email verbatim, followed by an old post I did about Ms. Ray,in case you've never heard of her.

Hi Chef John,

I discovered you on you tube and you are quite a comfort. Just want to say thanks for the great/ entertaining/ informative/delicious videos on your website. I love cooking but find myself short on cash occasionally. Some nights when all I’ve got around are some ramen noodles or a frozen T.V. dinner, (and I just can't bear to eat one more) I turn on the computer and watch a few of your videos. Somehow, it is possible for me to live vicariously through the screen. Basically I feel more satisfied just by watching your food rather than eating mine. Trust me, if I had the extra cash I would be sure to send some your way so I could get some Culinary Karma. Keep up the good work,
Ginny

P.S. Who is Rachel Ray?

Mmm..mmmm…mmmm, Rachael Ray

I like Rachael Ray. There, I said it. It’s not her cooking, or her bubbly on-air personality, or her ubiquitous EVOO, or her 30-minutes meals (wow, she made a tuna melt in 30 minutes!). It’s simply the fact that every other “real” Chef in the country hates her. They talk about her like she is somehow ruining the entire culinary landscape like some kind of inedible weed. She doesn’t claim to be a Chef; she’s just a cute, perky home-cook that has fun in the kitchen, cooking simple, easy to make food. So, to these high and mighty, foam-making, agar agar-loving, sous vide-obsessed, micro-green sprinkling “real” Chefs, I say lighten up! Come on, she just made little meatloaves in cup cake tins! Yummmoo!

Now, I have to admit, I don’t watch her 30-minute meals show, or her talk show (is it still on?), but I do watch her “$40 a day” show. Why? For one reason, and one reason only… the sound/noise she makes after taking that first bite of every meal on the show. It goes a little something like this, “mmm…mmmm.” Whether you’re a fan of the show or not, I hope you enjoy this clip I found on Youtube. Mmmmmm, enjoy!

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

rayray is so hot!

Anonymous said...

mmmmmmmmmm lol

Anonymous said...

I say, mmmmmmm, chef john! And, I also agree with Ginny, (I'm a peanut butter on crackers junkie), so whether I try these recipes or not, it's always a joy just to watch your videos!

I don't know what qualifications About.com is looking for, but if it's more than just someone that knows how to cook, they should definitely hire you- because what you offer is more than simply showing someone how to make something delicious. You are also funny and entertaining and informative, and for those that want to learn a new skill, you are above all else a very organized and talented teacher!

Anonymous said...

sounds like a shady video :P
no wonder my peeps jumped out and tried to watch what it was

Anonymous said...

waiter, can i have what she's having.

Anonymous said...

Ah, the Ramen Noodle gig. I've even had my turn at the tuna and old bread bit. I would just dress the noodles up a bit with some stir fried vegies, spice, and then fry the noodles too. My college buds liked to eat with me. I could even get them to bring the beer, spice, and whatever. I even stole one guy's girl! And to think of how guys used to tease me when I was a kid because I liked to cook.

J T Rhoe
jtrhoe@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Hey Chef John, my friend introduced me to your blog a few weeks ago. As a current culinary student, I have to say, thank you for appreciating the simplicity of fresh ingredients. Good luck with about.com!! And, Ginny is right, even if I can only afford to bread tilapia and chicken tenders, watching your blogs makes me think about the future, and feel more satisfied

Anonymous said...

Good luck with About.com. It's a nice site and it would be awesome to have you there :)

Anonymous said...

I can't believe I just watched 2 minutes of Rachel "mmmmm mmmmm-ing"! Too funny! I'm certain you will get the gig with About.com and one day soon, I can say "I knew him when." Hang tight during this crunch and don't forget to feed yourself well in the process!

Linky Love said...

Hi Chef John,

You fueled me, but I don't see your fuel button :-(

Can u explain where and in another fuel tell me how good those good looking T-shirts of yours are selling?

Dillon said...

that was hilariously irritating lol

Chef John said...

nort sure, i thought i had one on the sidebar. will have to check iy out. I only sell a few shirts a month.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like someone has a crush on Rachel Ray ;)

Chef John said...

mmmmmmm.... only $40 a day

Anonymous said...

If you close your eyes while playing that mmmmh-video you realize again that good food and good sex are damn close to each other :).
No I'm not attracted to her, but a nice coincidence of sounds.

tethys said...

Ha, youre right. She is a very cute eater!

Kaika ( aka Elpheal) said...

Sadly, I'm another one like Ginny. In fact I believe I did the exact same thing (eating a lousy dinner while watching your videos) yesterday.

And on lonely nights where I feel frustrated, lost or has some food cravings I can't satisfy either because going out to get it is too much trouble or I'm trying to save the money... I'd go watch your videos.

Just like Ginny, I can't really try out your recipes. But they fill me with ideas and inspirations of what I can do in the future.

I'm forever too lazy and poor to attempt. Not to mention my mom's a vegetarian so meat(and garlic) are supposedly off boundary in our kitchen. Oh, and the oven's been down for centuries ......this is starting to get depressing but you get my point. Hahaa.

Anyway, congrats on getting onto About.com !!! I know setting up for the video is difficult. But seriously, watching your videos is a treat. The quality of the video is superb, the steps are adequately broken down with enough explanation and tips along the way. Just watching it is an enjoyment =)

Linda Gonzalez-Johns said...

Chef John, you're the best! I've learned to cook so many dishes with the help of your delicious video recipes! I love your sense of humor and hope to see you someday if you come to town in Las Vegas. Thank you for giving back to the community. Love ya!!!

Linda Gonzalez

Linda Gonzalez-Johns said...

Chef John, you're the best! I've learned to cook so many dishes with the help of your delicious video recipes! I love your sense of humor and hope to see you someday if you come to town in Las Vegas. Thank you for giving back to the community. Love ya!!!

Linda Gonzalez