[Sca-cooks] "Hell's Kitchen" casting call

[ekoogler1 at comcast.net]

Sounds like you did a great job.  I saw the show a few times and got really irritated with the guy in charge.  I doubt seriously that I'd be able to keep a civil tongue in my mouth given his behavior.  But, given the fact that you've managed to herd this bunch of cats so diplomatically for so many years, I suspect you'd have no problem in this situation.  Good luck!!!

Kiri


> Yesterday morning around 8:30 a friend of mine called
> and told me they were having a casting call for "Hell's
> Kitchen 2" and I'd be just perfect for it!
> Um..yeah
> 
> I've heard of the show and haven't been impressed
> and maybe saw one episode. I have no intention of
> being on it or being even selected for a call back. But
> I decided to go. Hey, how many casting calls does the
> average Joe attend?
> 
> I kind of expected this line around the block with a
> bunch of hopefuls standing in front of walls with
> resume's and head shots and such. This was a little strange.
> It was held in a very nice restaurant, Sambuca, that was
> still operating to the public. So there are people dropping
> $100 on a meal surrounded by some rather strange looking
> people clutching sheaves of paper and looking bored.
> We were led to an elegant dining room and told to wait.
> And that we did. For hours. But it wasn't too bad because
> we were all food types and talked recipes and kitchen
> horror stories and food and basically did what bored people
> do.
> 
> The crowd was an interesting mix of people in chef's whites,
> Tony Bourdain's "pirate crew", actor/waiters, one guy who
> looked like he rode with the Hell's Angels, chefs, gays, Hispanics,
> Orientals, women, men....basically everything you can imagine.
> I had filled out the online forms so I had a bit of a leg up on
> the other people and had some extra pages with me so I spent
> the time working on a menu to feed Duke Miguel's army at
> Three Kings this weekend.
> 
> After 3 or so hours my group got called over to wait in the bar.
> And stand around. The good thing was that I was at least able
> to watch the football game. And stare at the poor diners trying
> to have a romantic evening while hopefuls for a reality tv show
> stared at them.
> 
> After an hour I made it all the way up to have my picture taken
> with a number rather like a mug shot. Then was told to go to
> another place to sit and wait.  After a half an hour at the other
> place I made it to the interview! It was with a rather harried looking
> young man from LA who explained they had around three times the
> number of applicants they expected. He asked some general questions,
> like if I had ever watched the show and if I knew anything about the
> chef. I told him I really hadn't watched much of the show and that
> the chef was brilliant and a bastard. He asked how I would handle
> being yelled at while under the pressure of a restaurant and I replied
> that I'd have to keep in mind that it was mostly an act and done
> to make good television. To just keep doing the job and appreciate
> his innovative use of the English language.
> 
> I was asked why I wanted to do the restaurant thing to which I replied
> that cooking is what I am. Some people can deal with people, some
> repair computers, some run marathons because that is what they are
> naturally attuned to. I'm a cook. That's what I'm supposed to be.
> 
> One of the questions I was asked was whether I thought taste or
> presentation were more important. Duh. Taste, presentation is
> nice but nobody recalls how great their grandmother's meatloaf looked.
> You can't eat an oil painting. A meal can be beautiful but if the
> taste isn't satisfied then it isn't worth it.
> 
> The interviewer seemed happy with my look and personality and
> all that and said they will try to do callbacks or people may get
> notified to make a video of themselves answering some questions.
> He told me he hoped to see me in a few days. I felt good leaving the
> interview but I also have a feeling this guy has become very good
> at making people feel that way.
> 
> The real story here is that I went and did it. I have no illusions of
> being chosen and I'm not too sure if I'd want to do it anyway. But
> I went and waited and sold myself just because I can say I did.
> Not too long ago I would have given up at several points but I
> stuck with it. That's another change in me and another step in my
> progress. I'm proud of me for doing it.
> 
> Gunthar
> 
> 
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