Live from Las Vegas, Cookin’ the World Food Championships

Well kids, time to put the game face on and lock and load for the World Food Championships.  Food Gypsy is now live from Las Vegas in a tired, but affordable, hotel off the strip where connectivity is questionable.  (I’m sure CSI was shot here… trying not to leave fingerprints.)

Originally written to live from the World Food Championships 2012…

Thank you to the small army of people who helped me get here; from those who contributed to the Friends of Food Gypsy crowdfunding effort who refused to let this dream die, to our guests at last week’s Pop-Up Food Gypsy who enjoyed a great burger and a bit of fun.  A big thank you to Patrick McQuaid and the team at Culinary Conspiracy who lent me their kitchen and some even stayed for a burger!  And the biggest thank you to the chef in my life, my rock in the kitchen, Benoit Gelinotte (aka Chef B).

Over the last six weeks as this effort rolled out Ben coached and cajoled, advised and redirected.  While his days were filled with the pressures of his own kitchen and a busy catering schedule in the pro kitchen, his evenings were packed with countless hours of discussion, drills, planning and packing to prepare for this event.

The World Food Championships is a serious competition, add to that cameras in your face as they shoot a seven-part reality series around the event and its competitors.  On more than one occasion I’ve freaked out and wanted to just say “I can’t do this”, but I have a deep cheerleading section in my life that keep me going and offer advice that is, at times, profoundly Zen.

“Stay focused.  Just be one with the food.” ~ Chef B. 

Last week one of my best friends sent me a text to say “booked a flight to Vegas, I’m your new sous chef!”   In that moment I went from a solo act to a duo with bestie Diane Meagher as my sidekick.  Diane and I have never cooked together, but we have shared MANY bottles of wine, which I consider to be a solid foundation for teamwork.   (And we have snazzy new jackets!  Nothing says “team” like matching gear.)

Follow along for the next few days as this rollercoaster ride plays out.  Meet the rest of  ‘Team Canada’ competing at the World Food Championships and cheer us on.  Live… from Las Vegas.