Howdy kids!
I have been a chef for over 16 years. Cooking in everything from fine dining to hot dog stands to rib shacks. My girlfriend is a pastry chef. Probably because pastry is woman's work. Just kidding, honey! :lol:
I just returned from a job interview for a head chef position at a local caterers. I have the job, if I want it. Good money, too! Boss seems like a bit of a jerk, but if he wasn't it wouldn't be called work. He ran down several of his competitors, all of whom I know personally. Still not 100% sure I will take it.
I am a big Anthony Bourdain fan, also. I have an adventurous palate too. Inherited it from my dad. The list of things I won't eat is much shorter that the list of things I will. The "won't" list: balut. If you don't know balut, for god's sake don't Google it. Seriously!
The strangest thing I have eaten? Minke whale in Iceland. I had pig intestines two ways at a Szechuan place in Chicago Chinatown.
Guilty pleasure? Mexican and Burgers. I want to open my own gourmet burger joint, but securing a business loan in this economy is next to impossible. If you are a burger fan, you will enjoy A Hamburger Today, America's favorite hamburger weblog!
http://aht.seriouseats.com/
As for Rachel Ray? Hate her cooking, can't stand her voice, but wouldn't toss her out of bed for eating crackers. Strike that. I have a friend who worked with her. She is generally unpleasant to be around.
Gyros are my weakness along with anything made from potatoes and moms italian beef is the best ever. My wife makes darn pretty good kielbasa pasta salad from a family recipe, but her specialty is pies, apple is my favorite 
