Chef, author and host of shows such as Take Home Chef (we know a few ladies who’d be more than happy to take him home), Curtis Stone needs no introduction. We managed to squeeze in a chat with this smoking hot, young gun of a chef.
What does it take to be a really good chef?
You’ve got to have a real love of food. If you’re really passionate about what you do, you’ll do it well. I’m one person who just loves to eat.
What’s your philosophy as a chef?
My philosophy is to get your hands on great quality ingredients. Food starts at the very beginning, whether it’s raising an animal or growing a vegetable or catching a fish. When you have great quality, naturally produced ingredients, you can use them quite simply and turn them into beautiful food. For me, the most important thing is to understand where the food comes from. Obviously you need to learn your techniques as a chef; then respect them and treat the food quite carefully.
It’s your last supper. What three dishes from anywhere in the world would you want to eat?
Woah, that’s a tough one! I’d have to say my grandma’s roast lamb with sweet potatoes. I love chili crab, especially the Singaporean style of cooking which really understands how to cook it. One of my favorite things in the world is to eat good chili crab with an ice cold beer like a Lager or a Pilsner. I’ve been a chocoholic for a long time, so something with chocolate in it, like a chocolate fondant.
How was your experience on The Celebrity Apprentice 3?
It was a lot of fun. When I first decided to do it, I thought, I must be mad. I got there and everyone was pretty crazy. We (Bill Goldberg, Sharon Osbourne) were all playing for great charities. My charity was Feeding America, which of course is a chef’s charity. And after coming to America, you realize a lot of people don’t even have enough to eat. So to be able to give back in that way was really special. And Donald’s unbelievable. What a man!
What do you really think of Vegemite? Tell the truth now.
I love it! I was trying to convince Sharon Osbourne to have some on the show. I spread it like butter on a piece of toast and she tried it eventually. It’s one of those flavors, you either love it or you hate it.
If you’d like to catch him in action, chef Curtis Stone will be in town for the 2010 Singapore Sun Festival. Check out www.singaporesunfestival.com for details.
