7 Questions with Roger Mooking
7 Questions is a series of interviews with the culinary movers and shakers you want or ought to know better.
The Cooking Channel (aka Food Network 2) debuted last year to a good deal of fanfare from parent company Scripps Networks. From what I have seen so far, the new kid on the block is a force to be reckoned with. Some familiar FN stars have found a place to truly shine. Take for instance Aida Mollenkamp who’s stand-and-stir Ask Aida was at times awkward while her new food/travel show FoodCrafters is polished and sleek.
Several Food Network: Canada stars have also found an American home on the Cooking Channel as well. Last year I was lucky enough to speak with David 
Rocco host of David Rocco’s Dolce Vita. I also got a little phone time with the gorgeous gastro-Guidette herself Nadia G. of Bitchin’ Kitchen. Another FN: Canada arrival is Roger Mooking, host of Everyday Exotic (my vote for the best stand-and-stir on TV today) and co-host of the new Food Network hit Heat Seekers.
Heat Seekers is part food/travel series and part cop-buddy film. Or as Food Network puts it, “For chefs Aarón Sanchez and Roger Mooking, Heat Seekers is a tongue-testing odyssey to discover the most deliciously spicy food across the country — and to figure out why these dishes are so fun to eat.” I love this show.
Mooking is an anomaly within the cosmos of TV chefs; he’s an accomplished musician. I don’t mean accomplished in the way that I gigged away the 90’s in Nashville’s underground rock scene. I don’t even mean an accomplished musician as in Emril Legasse who is good enough on a trap-set to make a comfortable living. I mean accomplished as in award winning.
Mooking won a Juno Award (the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy) for his work with the R&B group Bass is Base and their album Memories of the Soul Shack Survivors. He’s been apart of three Much Music Video Awards to boot. I feel quite confident in saying that Roger Mooking is the only person in history to both jam with James Brown and battle Michael Symon in Kitchen Stadium.
Cooking is a Mooking family tradition going back three generations and as a result Roger is first and foremost a chef. By developing a culinary philosophy built on perfect execution of globally inspired culinary traditions, Chef Mooking has become one of the most respected chefs in the Great White North so now it’s time for America to get to know him. To help, Roger answers 7 Questions:
1. You have an extremely diverse ancestry, how has it helped you as a chef?
It is who I am. All of my creativity is framed by my background and family history. As a chef it gave me a very broad jumping off point when it came time to create and develop new dishes. Plus my family are very harsh culinary critics, if it’s good they will say so. If it’s bad they look at you like “Get outta here with that ****.”
2. How does being a celebrity in Canada differ from being a celebrity in the States?
I don’t think about celebrity. I create things that I love everyday and I realize that you’re hot and your not. So it’s about touching people, which is the same all over the world. Celebrity is a by product of touching many people. I am blessed by being able to create things and share them.
3. Little is known in the States about the food scene in Toronto – can you describe what visitors should expect?
Toronto is a particularly culturally diverse city and although there are specific neighborhoods like India, Little Italy and such those areas are not exclusively populated by those people at all. This I have discovered is very unique from having traveled a bit and I’ve come to appreciate this about the city.
There is also a great wine region and farming community in the Toronto area so the access to market fresh produce, meats and wines is also fantastic. And because the demand from the immigrant communities is so great for their indigenous foods we also get a very wide variety of ingredients from all over the world in the most common of grocery stores not to mention specialty grocers. I really feel that Everyday Exotic was born of this community and my cultural background. The restaurant scene is as vibrant as New York but on a smaller scale. People in Toronto are serious about their food.
4. You’re a very busy man, how does a show like Heat Seekers fit into your lifestyle?
I grew up eating hot sauce sandwiches with butter as a kid. It was a favorite sandwich – bread, butter and hot sauce. So it fits into my life very naturally. The scheduling side of it is a challenge but I’m committed to it so we make it work. My team is the best on the planet and they keep me in line and able to focus on what I’ve gotta do.
5. Were you and Aaron friends before shooting began on Heat Seekers?
Certainly in another lifetime. The first time we met I felt he was my brother. We get along very well and have a lot of respect for one another, not to mention a lot of jokes.
6. Both of you strike me as pranksters, are there any practical jokes when you’re on the road?
Not ones that I can share here. Hehehe. But yes we have a lot of fun when we are shooting.
7. You’ve conquered Canada and you are taking the US by storm – what’s next for Roger Mooking?
I’ve only touched on about 10% of what is lying in my brain. There is still a lot of stuff I would like to do and you will have to wait for it as it comes together. We’ll save it for the next interview. Deal???
Deal!
Now that you know Roger Mooking the chef better, groove out to Roger Mooking the musician. For more on Roger check out his web site HERE.
WTVC Exclusive: Cooking Channel Star David Rocco
On March 31, The Fine Living Network officially becomes the Cooking Channel (aka Food Network 2). The new network will feature new shows from old favorites like Bobby Flay and Emeril Legasse. It will also feature a whole new crew of TV Chefs to entertain and educate our insatiable palates.
Among the new guard is Canadian Italophile David Rocco who made his mark in the Great White North with his hit shows Avventura: Journey in Italian Cuisine and Don’t Forget Your Passport. His most popular series, David Rocco’s Dolce Vita (DRDV), will be coming to American television sets via the Cooking Channel. Rocco has also penned two companion cookbooks for his shows: Avventura: Journeys in Italian Cuisine (Bay Books & Tapes, 2000) and David Rocco’s Dolce Vita (Harper Collins, 2008).
Recently David was nice enough to grant me a few minutes of his time for an interview so let’s all learn a little more about America’s newest cheflebrity.
WannabeTVchef: So how are you enjoying the celebrity chef hoopla?
David Rocco: (Laughs) You know it’s crazy. It’s been good. It’s a fun ride. You know we’re now in our fifth season and its been one of those steady growths. Where when the Food Network first came out it was like, “Wow. There’s a 24 hour food station kind of. Will it have an audience?” And now it seems to be that every network that doesn’t do food wants to do food. It’s been fun. I was in Singapore and Hong Kong touring cuz my show airs there. It’s a great gig when you do what you love and you get kind of rewarded for it. (Laughs) I can’t complain.
WTVC: You’ve done five seasons of DRDV for Canadian TV?
DR: We’re actually in pre-production of our fifth season. The show airs pretty much everywhere: on National Geographic, Discovery: Travel and Living, Food Network: Canada and we now decided that we need to go after the big market. So Food Network’s new station, the Cooking Channel, seemed to be a great fit and we’re real excited about it.
WTVC: Will these be the episodes airing on the Cooking Channel or will you be filming new episodes?
DR: Yeah, no. It’s going to be season one which has some great episodes and was a lot of fun so it’ll start at the beginning and work your way up.
WTVC: So what can American viewers look forward to when watching DRDV?
DR: Well I think it’s a unique series in that in North America there’s not a lot of series that shoot in one city. I live part-time in Florence so we basically shoot the entire series on location. The first couple of seasons we’re actually cooking in our flat in Florence so I think you really can get a sense of the Italian lifestyle, of the food, you know of the simplicity of the recipes and if you’re just looking to escape for a half hour in Florence and the joy of learning a dish or two as well I think it’s really fun.
WTVC: I’ve watched the highlight reel of the first season on your web site and the kitchen seemed awfully small, was that the one at your flat?
DR: Yeah. Yeah the European flats are much smaller but you know the stuff that comes out of them is pretty damned good so you know it’s a different kind of lifestyle, the European lifestyle. I mean what’s great is that you know a lot of the stuff comes from the markets, the open air markets and we do some traveling. We’re on the Amalfi Coast, we’re in Sicily so you get to see a lot of great places as well.
WTVC: How do you see your life changing with your expansion into the US market?
DR: I think we’ve built the foundation for some good stuff and Canada has been a good test market, the cultures are so similar. We’re kind of like cousins. I think with the show having done so well here that our cookbook, which is the companion to the TV series, became a best seller here. It won the Gourmand award (Gourmand World Cookbook Award) so it’s stuff when it goes into the US will just be well accepted and hopefully I get super busy and hopefully enjoy it all. (Laughs) I’m not sure what to expect, you know. It’s going to be different so we’ll just kind of ride with it.
WTVC: Do you own a restaurant or can we expect to see you opening one soon?
DR: I love the restaurant business. It’s always been, obviously, a passion of mine. But I’m the executive producer of the production company that does the show so we come from a different background. Obviously a food background as well but our core business is media productions and we have a couple of other shows in development. There’s always the interest in doing a restaurant clearly, but the time I’d want to spend in the restaurant in terms of proper attention and love would definitely take me away form my core business which is the production company. It’s a struggle but maybe one day I’d be able to do something and have a happy medium.
WTVC: The new network debuts May 31st. When is the premiere of DRDV?
DR: I believe it’s on that day. I think, the schedule hasn’t been released. Actually I’m going to be in New York next week with meetings.
WTVC: Emeril has his pork fat, Rachael Ray her EVOO and Paula Deen loves her some butter. What’s your favorite lipid?
DR: I’d have to side with Rachael; extra virgin olive oil is where it’s at for me. Paula Deen would probably be a sad women if she came to my house. Very little butter is used and very little butter’s in our fridge.
For a taste of David Rocco’s Dolce Vita check out this video:
Avventura: Journeys in Italian Cuisine
David Rocco’s Dolce Vita premieres Monday May 31st at 3ET/2CT.
June is Big for Food Network
It’s not enough for Scripps to be kicking off the brand spanking new Cooking Channel (aka Food Network 2) but they are also rolling out a big month at their flagship stations as well. Check out this mammoth Press Release:
Food Network June 2010 Highlights
Food Network Brews Most Premieres in Network History – Biggest June Ever!
**All Times ET/PT **
**FOOD NETWORK JUNE 2010 HIGHLIGHTS**
Food Network Brews Most Premieres in Network History – Biggest June Ever!
If It’s June, It’s New: 85 New Episodes, 7 New Seasons, Sweet New Competition Series
Primetime: Network’s Highest-Rated Series Searches for Newest ‘Star’ and ‘Cupcake Wars’ Erupt
Plus: New Seasons with Bobby Flay, Paula Deen, Marcella Valladolid, and Claire Robinson
NEW YORK – May 21, 2010 – Food Network premieres something new every night in June (May 30th-June 30th) with 85 new episodes, seven new seasons, and a new primetime series – the most premieres in one month in network history. “Grilling Week” (May 30th-June 6th) sizzles with 22 all-new, grilling-themed episodes of primetime and daytime shows including seven season premieres:Best Thing I Ever Ate, Mexican Made Easy, Throwdown with Bobby Flay, Paula’s Best Dishes, 5 Ingredient Fix, Grill It! with Bobby Flay,and the network’s highest-rated series, The Next Food Network Star, which returns for a better-than-ever season six onSunday, June 6th at 9pm as 12 chefs compete for a shot at their own Food Network Show, hosted by Bobby Flay with new finalist mentor Giada De Laurentiis. Cupcake bakers battle for $10,000 and opportunities to cater high-profile events in Cupcake Wars, premiering Tuesday, June 15th at 9pm. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR – SEASON 6
The Next Food Network Star
Food Network’s number one series returns this June with the most exciting and intense season yet. Shot in Los Angeles on a brand-new studio set, season six follows 12 hopefuls competing for the ultimate dream job: his or her own Food Network show. Under the watchful eye of mentor Giada De Laurentiis, the finalists strut their star power and culinary chops for host Bobby Flay and the selection committee to see if they stack up against the competition.
Premieres: Sunday, June 6th at 9pm
“Welcome to Los Angeles!”
In the two-hour season premiere episode, 12 contestants meet in Los Angeles to compete for the chance to win their own Food Network show. The competition begins as soon as they arrive at the new “Star Kitchen” set, where Bobby Flay tells the finalists to prepare a dish that best represents their culinary style while using the ultimate culinary blank canvas: chicken and a potato. Next, it’s off to Paramount Studios where Hollywood director Andy Fickman films 15-second promos with the finalists based on their ideal show concepts. Finally, the 12 hopefuls are split into two teams to prepare a six-course lunch for renowned celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck, at his Beverly Hills restaurant, Cut.
Premieres: Sunday, June 13th at 9pm
“Sweet to Savory”
The remaining 11 finalists must each perform their part of an 11-step intense assembly line demo, which causes stress levels to flare when some finalists leave their steps incomplete. Then, guest star Duff Goldman (Ace of Cakes) provides the finalists with their next task: cater a party for him and a hundred friends on the famed Santa Monica Pier. Duff wants to explore his passion for the savory side of food and challenges each finalist to take an assigned classic carnival sweet and transform it into an appetizing savory bite to serve at the soiree.
Premieres: Sunday, June 20th at 9pm
“Grammy Award Celebration”
Guy Fieri (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, Guy’s Big Bite) leads the 10 remaining finalists on a crash course in the Hollywood way of life! They first present a dish to camera inspired by a classic film genre including horror, romance, western, and sci-fi. Next, they head to Highlands Hollywood to walk the red carpet at a star-studded MGD 64 after-party for Grammy-award winner Colbie Callait before Guy reveals their next challenge. In teams of two, the finalists must cater the party by making a solo dish and then a collaboration dish using unusual ingredient pairings inspired by Colbie’s Grammy nominations.
Premieres: Sunday, June 27th at 9pm
“Spicy Competition”
Bobby Flay turns up the heat on the remaining nine finalists as he uncovers nine varieties of peppers, and the finalists race to grab the one they want to cook with. Then, he reveals the exciting payoff: The challenge winner’s recipe earns a spot on the menus of his Mesa Grill restaurants. Bobby then introduces well-known chefs Jonathan Waxman, Susan Feniger, and Eric Greenspan who each head up a team of three finalists. The chefs reveal their all-time favorite dish to their teams who are then asked to create their take on the selected dish. The finalists frantically cook up dishes to present to the chefs, hoping to impress them enough to win the challenge.
SERIES PREMIERE
Cupcake Wars
It’s cupcake vs. cupcake in Food Network’s tastiest competition yet! Each week, four of the country’s top cupcake bakers face off in three elimination challenges until only one decorator remains. The sweet prize: $10,000 and the opportunity to showcase their cupcakes at the winning gig. Whether a special Ace of Cakes anniversary celebration, a star-studded magazine party, or an A-list celebrity golf tournament, these Cupcakes Wars really heat up. Candace Nelson (owner of Sprinkles Cupcakes) and Florian Bellanger (chef and co-owner of MadMac) serve as judges, and Justin Willman hosts.
Premieres: Tuesday, June 15th at 9pm ET/PT– SERIES PREMIERE!
“SeaWorld Birthday Bash”
Four creative cupcake bakers go head-to-head in hopes of having their sweets featured at a seaside birthday party. Contestants include: Lindsay Morton of Dollhouse Bakeshop Shoppe (Santa Monica, Calif.), Brett Thompson of Milk (Los Angeles), Allyson Fiander of Daddy Cakes (Topeka, Kan.) and Tracey Buchanan of Sweet Bakery & Café (Ellicot City, Md.).
SEASON PREMIERES
Best Thing I Ever Ate
Premieres: Monday, May 31st at 9pm
“Grilled”
There’s nothing like the sound of meat hitting the grill to get your mouth watering. But it’s not just about your typical burgers and steaks! How about a succulent Mongolian pork chop, delicious southern rib tips, juicy diver scallops, or grilled oysters? From California and Georgia to Texas and Tennessee, Food Network stars Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Duff Goldman, Cat Cora, Ted Allen, Adam Gertler, and Michael Chiarello reveal The Best Thing I Ever Ate – “Grilled.”
Throwdown with Bobby Flay
Premieres: Wednesday, June 2nd at 9pm
“Hot Dogs”
Brooklyn’s Nick Suarez makes a habit of annihilating his competition in amateur cook-offs all over New York City, and his hot dogs have become a force to be reckoned with. His newest creation, “Brooklyn’s Cheesiest Dog,” gets put to the test against Bobby Flay in this Throwdown as they fight to the finish for the “Top Dog” title.
Mexican Made Easy
Premieres: Saturday, June 5th at 9:30am
“Seafood Grill”
Marcela treats friends to her Mexican Shrimp Burgers inspired by a classic Puerto Vallarta street food and tops them with a Mexican-style aioli with avocado, chili, and lime. To finish her festive seafood menu, she prepares Grilled Avocado and Scallop Salad and a side of Jalapeno Buttered Corn.
Paula’s Best Dishes
Premieres: Saturday, June 5th at 11:30am
“Get Grillin’”
Paula and her son Bobby take their cooking skills to the grill, starting with some scrumptious hand-held food: Grilled Bacon and Cheese Jalapeno Poppers and hearty Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Vidalia Onion Skewers. They pair the meal with tasty Grilled Cheesy Olive Bread, and then take it one step further by grilling dessert – a sinfully delicious Grilled Pear Cobbler with Grilled Pear Topping.
5 Ingredient Fix
Premieres: Saturday, June 5th at 12:30pm
“Big State BBQ”
Claire packs bold flavors into this hearty BBQ menu! She starts off with a braised Beef Brisket for maximum juiciness and intense flavor, and she pairs it with cheesy Orange and Blue Grilled Romaine Salad and bourbon-spiked Three B’s Beans. This BBQ dinner will be one for the record books!
Grill It! with Bobby Flay
Premieres: Saturday, June 6th at 10:30am
“Wild & Crazy Wahoo”
Tailgating has taught Jenn Karlman a thing or two about grilling, and her favorite dish to grill is Wahoo! Bobby grills Wahoo with Puttanesca Tomato Sauce and then whips up Caramelized Plum-Ricotta-Black Pepper Crostinis and a Plum Prosecco Cocktail. Jenn puts together a Gourmet Wild Wahoo Sandwich served alongside a Warm Spinach Salad with Grilled Rum Pears and a Blue Hawaiian Cocktail.
NEW EPISODES
Aside from new series and seasons, don’t miss all-new episodes of Food Network’s popular primetime and daytime shows as well Food Network’s featured competitions series, Iron Chef America and Food Network Challenge.
Primetime: Diners Drive-ins and Dives, Chopped, Good Eats, Dinner: Impossible, Chefs vs. City Unwrapped
Daytime: 30 Minute Meals, Giada at Home, Barefoot Contessa, Guy’s Big Bite, Sandra’s Money Saving Meals, Cooking for Real, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Down Home with the Neelys, Alex’s Day Off, Big Daddy’s House
Iron Chef America
The heat rises in Kitchen Stadium as the American Iron Chefs face off against fierce new competitors.
Premieres: Sunday, June 20th at 10pm
“Flay vs. Thiam”
Brooklyn’s Chef Pierre Thiam takes on Iron Chef Flay in a culinary showdown. Will the judges adore Chef Thiam’s Senegalese cuisine, or will Iron Chef Flay’s southwestern spin reign supreme?
Premieres: Sunday, June 27th at 10pm
“Symon vs. Brown”
New York’s Chef Ed Brown enters Kitchen Stadium to take on Iron Chef Symon. Will Chef Brown wow the judges with his unique use of the secret ingredient, or will he feel the singe of defeat to Iron Chef Symon?
Food Network Challenge
Food Network gets the competitive juices flowing with Food Network Challenge with the biggest and most exciting food battles from around the world. Claire Robinson (5 Ingredient Fix) hosts as competitors vie for bragging rights and a $10,000 cash prize.
Premieres: Sunday, May 30th at 8pm
”All-Star Grill-Off”
A battle of the sexes sparks this grill-off! Melissa d’Arabian (Ten Dollar Dinners),Aida Mollenkamp (Ask Aida) and Sunny Anderson (Cooking for Real) face off against Michael Symon (Iron Chef America), Aaron McCargo, Jr. (Big Daddy’s House) and Adam Gertler (Kid in a Candy Store), and the $10,000 grand prize goes to charity. With only three rounds for the chefs to please both sharp mystery clients and a panel of discerning judges, which gourmet group will win the prize? Visit FoodNetwork.com’s “Grilling Central” for Web-exclusive grilling tips from the stars!
Premieres: Sunday, June 6th at 8pm
“Toy Story 3 Cakes”
To celebrate the release of Toy Story 3, four cake designers bake cakes inspired by the movie’s classic characters, including Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and Mrs. Potatohead. With $10,000 on the line, the competitors must make their creative cakes come alive like the Toy Story 3 toys.
ONLINE
FoodNetwork.com serves up online extras for the new season of The Next Food Network Star featuring Web-exclusive videos and photos, fan favorite vote, behind-the-scenes footage, look back at past contestants, and more!
*Visit: www.foodnetwork.com/star
· The Web-exclusive video library features finalist bios, sneak peeks of new episodes, “Meet the Judges” video, “Tips From a Winner” with season five champion Melissa d’Arabian (Ten Dollar Dinners), and recaps of past seasons.
· Catch up with the finalists from seasons past in “Where Are They Now?”.
· The Sneak Peek Photo Gallery shares behind-the-scenes photos from the show and new set in Los Angeles.
· Live chats: Fans can participate in live chats during all premiere episodes featuring a variety of guests, including judges Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson.
· Bobby’s Instant Re-Flays:Bobby Flay tweaks finalist recipes to take them to next level.
· Star Lounge: Chat with Food Network stars, judges and superfans in the one-stop shop for blogs, chats and daily updates.
· Fan Favorite: Vote every day (up to 10 times a day) for your favorite finalist to determine who will be named Fan Favorite.
