Did everybody tune in last night to ABC to watch me stand up to Bourdain? Even though I didn’t make the final 16, I am still proud I made it to the top 60 out of thousands (7000+).This has been an amazing ride, and something I never thought I would ever get to experience.
I really want to thank my loyal friends, family and fans. This was a scary challenge for me to step outside of my comfort zone and subject myself to Bourdains wrath. My main purpose for this journey was to be a role model for my 5 year old daughter, and show her to never be afraid to go after your dreams.
I am so blessed and a winner in so many ways!
It is most likely not about your cooking skills, it is not about the taste of your food. I trust that it is great. I suspect that these traditional chefs might have a different palate, but more likely that they cannot admit anyone vegan in their roster as the sponsors and the show won’t like it. Bad for business!
Since many studies say for a variety of reasons that we’ll be veg by 2050 anyway, hopefully the producers will recognize that one judge should have veg leanings. To most of us, I’m pretty sure that dish looked gorgeous, more colorful and appetizing than any other previously seen.
As a cooking instructor for years, vegan for most of the past 30 years, I want to see these folks and their blood work at my age…60. I just placed in my age group at my 43rd 5K, placed 6th the next day in a half marathon and wowed a physical therapist with no recovery pain. Plants heal, energize and give you whatever you need to enjoy life.
As a 2-time Emmy-winning TV consumer/investigative reporter, I won the highest awards during my 18 year broadcasting career.
After my best-selling book came out, I thought it would be a cinch to get some kind of cooking show gig. I even sat next to the owner of a broadcasting conglomerate on a plane once.
After our chat, and learning that his wife was vegan, I thought it was a done deal. Turns out, he couldn’t get the investors to go along. Too much push-back from meat/dairy. I’ve heard this from other veg authors too.
Until the profit motive that drives corporate-owned networks/stations disappears, about our only chance sadly, is paying for time on PBS. Keep doing what you’re doing. No doubt your cooking is scrumptious! Times are changing, so tune out the rude noise and carry on.
Good for you Ellen! I agree… there is too much push back from the television sponsors as well. Thanks for watching
I was so excited to hear that a vegan chef was going to be on network TV. Congratulations!!! Honestly, I was disappointed. I guess I was hoping that the chefs would find vegan food as good as the food with meat. They didn’t give you three much air time:( But, at least veganism is making it into the media more. And now there are two vegan shows on TV! We’re definitely going in the right direction. Thanks for your bravery in facing these close-minded chefs:) I bet your food is absolutely delicious and wish I could try it:)
Thank you Erica! It’s all about baby steps I suppose. I would love to cook for you anytime.
Congratulations! I applaud your cooking skills and your courage in fronting up to this .In no way would your dish have benefitted from the addition of “pork products”. I have not eaten pork for many years, not only is it unsustainable as a food, unethical in its treatment of the animal, but it is so unhealthy! The more people who challenge the “meat is the only protein”: idea, the sooner we will be on the path to wellness. Thank you for your inspired contribution to this journey!
Thank you for the kind words! I really appreciate all your support. Yes shame the judges wern’t ready for some “real” food!