RD on Food Network
So, how did this all start you ask? Last year, I really started thinking about how cool it would be to do another show, one about cooking wild fish and wild game. If you’ve been watching Food Network (not “The Food Network,” just Food Network) as much as I do, you’ve likely noticed that they've come a long way with their programming in the last few years. There are a couple shows on the network that actually show hunting… and of course, cooking the harvest. I figured the timing might be right-on for me, especially since I love to fish and hunt - and cook wild fish and game!
During the summer of 2008, I put together a demo type thing that we shot in my yard. We had a bunch of headaches that day, including the weather. If you’ve ever done any video taping outdoors, you know just how much of a pain in the ass it can be! It was windy as hell, raining off and on… I didn’t have enough staff on hand… I ended up in a shitty mood… just a really bad day. And, it was the fifth time we cancelled the shoot due to the weather, so I really wanted to get the thing done!
After it was edited I watched it with disappointment. It didn’t turn out at all the way I hoped it would. So, that baby got put on the shelf. But, I knew I still wanted to get something out that would show what I can do. And, in my heart, I just knew I would be at my best in front of a live audience.
Back in January, 2009, a friend of mine from Colorado told me about a casting call to co-host an episode of “Grill It! with Bobby Flay” on Food Network. I figured I didn’t have much of a chance because they get literally thousands of people sending in demo tapes. But, I figured, what the hell… I'll just do it. So, I went back to the kitchen in the culinary school at Confederation College here in Thunder Bay and shot a three minute demo. In it, I cooked venison and Chinook salmon, both on the grill. Ryan La Via shot and edited it for me and he sent it out by email the very next day.
To my amazement, I got a phone call from one of the talent co-ordinators at Food Network the same day they got the email from Ryan! I couldn’t believe it… I still can’t! They told me they really liked the demo and “unofficially advised” me that I should probably leave some time open in mid March for a "possible" trip to Hollywood, CA. I nearly shit my pants… At the end of the month, they made the official announcement on their website and notified me by phone. Coooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!
On March 19, I boarded a plane here in Thunder Bay. The first stop was in Minneapolis and then we flew straight to LA. I was met at the airport by a driver wearing a three piece suit and holding a cardboard sign that read, “Rugged Dude.” It was hilarious! As soon as he saw me in my jeans, plaid shirt, hiking boots and suspenders, he said, “Ummm, I believe you’re looking for me.” Into the limo I went, (a limo... unrugged!) suspenders and all… Holy shit.
The next morning, I was met in the hotel lobby by Lauren Thompson, the director for the series and Petr Cikhart, who was the director of photography. They were both so nice and as a bonus, Lauren was also a "Certified Power Babe" which of course, always helps! We went down to the set, which was actually a huge house in the Hollywood Hills that they rented to tape the whole series of shows. Wow, I couldn't believe the production equipment... and talk about staff! There were 52 people on the set! I never saw more cameras, monitors, cables running everywhere, headsets, ladders, lights... holy shit! I'm used to taping a fishing show with just me, one camera guy and maybe - maybe two.
After a quick briefing with the directors, I met Bobby. He was very nice and easy to get along with. By no means did he have to be the “big star” of the show. He was very accommodating throughout the shoot and actually gave me alot of room to stretch out. We started taping at 8 am and we were wrapped up by 1 pm.
It was a great experience and I still can’t believe how damn nice everyone was down there. They were all total pros. I got a lot of very positive feedback and encouragement and in fact, one of the directors told me I was the best guest they ever had on Bobby’s show. Cool! Oooops, I mean – COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!
The very same day that I got home from LA, I started working on plans to shoot a cooking show pilot of my own. I had the confidence now, so it was just a matter of getting everything in place. Check it out… Read “RD’s Cabin.”
The episode I taped with Bobby Flay has been on the air a few times now and I get a lot of emails from viewers of the broadcast. It’s funny because I normally get emails, but from fishing and hunting people! Now, I get them from “foodies.”
Wish me luck!!
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