Wednesday, November 23, 2011

A Tribute To Those Who Feed Us

Finally! We are done with the cook-off!

Hi, it's Sheila. Don't get me wrong. I have LOVED tasting everyone's cooking for the last week and a half, and I have enjoyed seeing another side of the Fox 19 Morning team during our friendly competition, but I am so glad my day in the kitchen is over. It's a lot of work!

Our contest has given me a new appreciation for the fantastic chefs and food experts who contribute to our show every month. Rita Heikenfeld, Giovanna Trimpe, Amy Tobin, Kia Crittenden, Barbie Hahn, this is for you. It's also for any chef who comes in on a not-regular basis, from Jean-Robert to Todd Kelly to "Gramma" Debbie Ganaway, Chefs Louis & Meredith and every other foodie we love here in Cincinnati. (I'm sorry if I'm forgetting someone!)

When you cook for TV, you have to do everything twice -- cook one version for the cameras (and for Rob and me to eat!), and prepare another one to demonstrate how to make it on TV. I forgot my salt, pepper, and garlic powder because I put it away when I was at home making the Oven Barbecued Pork for my entry! I had to schlep two boxes full of dishes, meat, tablecloth, fruit, and more into the station at 3:30 in the morning! And I woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, wondering what I had forgotten to do to get the dish ready. I ended up lying there, smelling the pork roasting for an hour before I got back to sleep!

It's all worth it when you see smiles on the faces of your friends eating the food, but let me tell you something, it'll be a long time before I agree to do that again! Watch Rob sweat today at 8:15, and watch Xtra to see which one of us won the contest.