Backstage at UVM with Bobby Flay
The morning of October 12th was rainy and chilly. I loaded the lasagnas into the truck to bring them up to school. Thankfully, Scott, my college roommate, came to help. The near-ubiquitous camera presence was starting to unnerve me.
Darin, the producer, along with the director, Emily, took me downstairs at Billings where a UVM student interviewed me for a program called, “Food For Thought”. Little did I know, it was a smoke-screen to distract me from the coming event. I was certain Bobby Flay was coming . . . up to this point. When I did multiple takes for this segment, I lost all hope.
Bummer.
The time arrived to go upstairs and teach “Lasagna 101.” The hall at Billings was filling up. The feeling was surreal. All the cameras were on; the spot lights were on. This experience truly was an honor, not just for me, but for my family, especially my father. Everyone always asks me that one question: “Where did you learn to be a chef?”
Answer: THE SCHOOL OF DAD.
I started preparing the lasagna. Emily prompted the studio audience to ask questions. Cracking a few jokes, I remember making the audience laugh a little. Seemingly “out-of-the-blue,” my mom screamed. I glanced over at her and shot her a funny look. As I turned back to the audience, I felt a presence standing behind me. HOLY $#!+ (sorry mom), I couldn’t believe it! There he was. The Iron Chef himself. Bobby Flay leaned over and inspected my ingredients. Then he picked up my famous Vodka sauce, opened the jar, tasted it, and said, “This is going to be a tough match!” I was stunned.
After a moment, Bobby continued, with his signature grin, “Now Mark, I hear you make a good lasagna, so I am challenging you to a ‘lasagna throw down.’ You up for it?”
I didn’t know what to say, so the conversation that followed was:
- Me
- Definitely, on one condition
- Bobby
- What’s that?
- Me
- If I win, I get to call you Bobby!
- Bobby
- Its a deal.
The story of the battle will continue . . . in the next post 
November 1st, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Nice!
All I learned at School of Dad was grilled cheese. I wonder if Bobby could handle that …
November 2nd, 2007 at 9:45 pm
I learned from the school of mom and dad. My friends that go to NECI are even impressed with our bars.