In which Doug whines

Folks, I'm bored out of my skull. I really can't do that much due to the air hose and my current status as a fall risk.

So, I'm asking the locals a favor. If you're in the area, drop in and say hi. Just wandering by for five minutes would make my day brighter. If you need the address and/or phone, drop me an email at dberry49er(at)gmail(dot)com

Well, it's an accomplishment

I think I've seen every single TV show Gordon Ramsay has ever appeared in. Just finished watching the first US season of Master Chef on Hulu. Very interesting, sort of a foodie American Idol. Amateur cooks are given a chance to cook for three great chefs in a series of competitions. The only thing these people have in common is a love of cooking and raw talent. The series was a mixture of high-pressure competition and teaching and encouragement by the judges. There were some amazing moments, like a contestant who was Hindu being faced with a live crab, and a contestant who had never made a cupcake before winning a cupcake competition.

One thing I really liked was that when a contestant was eliminated, the judges praised them for what they had accomplished and encouraged them to keep cooking. It really brought home that these were not professionals.. heck, one of my favorites was a guy who was a construction worker and truck driver! You really got into the stories of these people, and how they came to love cooking.

The finale was heart stopping. It came down to a 29 year old software engineer against a 22 year old student from Mississippi. David's style was adventurous and dangerous, while Whitney specialized in modern takes on traditional southern foods. With eight minutes to go in the final cook off, Whitney dropped her entrée, a pan-friend chicken breast, on the floor. She had to make a whole new entrée in seven minutes. It was perfect. I understand there's a new season planned. I will be watching.

It's funny. I'm the fussiest eater ever. I am in no sense a foodie in the traditional sense, yet I love all the Gordon Ramsay shows, Top Chef, the original Iron Chef, and other foodie-type stuff. Even though I wouldn't touch 90% of what they make, I love watching the creative process and seeing just how much an art form cooking can be. Call me when someone makes Top Burrito. I'll be a judge.