what were you thinking putting all that meat in that wok?

so, after receiving over a hundred emails today, here are the answers to some of your most burning questions regarding last night's show:

what did morimoto say to you?:
"i would not serve your food to human beings."  no joke. but believe me, when someone like morimoto talks to you even if it's completely negative, you just smile. he's morimoto after all. what a culinary god. did you see what he did to that cucumber?

what were you thinking putting all that meat in that wok?:
i've definitely been thinking the same thing. believe me, this same question has haunted me for the past four months. i have spent many a sleepless nights going over those five minutes thinking about what i could have done better. for that challenge, each one of us was given a breakdown of our quick-and-easy recipe telling us what we needed to prep for our mise en place, what swapouts needed to be made and what we were to do on camera. in my breakdown, i was told to make a swapout for my tomato sauce but not my ground meat. in my initial read through it, i thought, "this can't be right. that meat is not going to cook in 2-3 minutes to allow me to do everything else." i should have listened to my gut and made that extra swapout for my ground meat rather than follow those directions, which i thought we had to do. still i could have remedied it by just putting just a little bit of meat in that wok. but when that camera turns on, it literally saps 50% of your intelligence. whatever game plan i had in my head would evaporate from my head. i've learned my lesson and what' done is done - no use in dwelling.

can i get the recipe for that asian bolognese?:
why, of course. not only will i put the recipe up later this week but i'll also put a video of me demo-ing the dish again (if i can figure out how). this time i will teach you how to cook meat rather than not cook meat - hopefully, i'll redeem myself somewhat as a cook. stay tuned . . .

also visit the food network site to read the journals we kept during the show. new videos are also up in the video gallery that give a great behind the scenes look.

Comments

[joyce]

you rock, jess! i'm so proud of you for representing for your fellow 20-something asian food afficionados. thanks for the feast, too!

[C-Neezy]

Seriously, if Morimoto or whatever his name is said that to you, if I ever see him on the street, it's gettin' physical. No joke. I don't care about his culinary exploits, 'cuz, quite frankly, I don't know them. But there is no need for him to do you dirty like that. Absolutely no need.

[Kathy]

Hey Jess - I thought you did a great job on the show. Your speaking/presentation skills seemed perfect for a food show host, so maybe in the future, you'll get another chance!

[Cera S.]

Hi Jess!

I just 'met' you through the TV show, went to the Food Network website, and saw the link to your blog. It's wonderful to hear your personal take on what I've been watching. I'm sorry for your disappointment, but really, I think you did a fantastic job at something *very* difficult. Good luck in your upcoming endeavours! I really hope you'll keep writing in this weblog & continue sharing your passion for food -- and as someone who lives nearby (in Mountain View) I hope you'll talk about some of the places you get Asian ingredients!

[Elizabeth Ashwood Robinson]

Jess --

Just wanted to tell you how proud I was of you and your performance on FN. We made your Asian Bolognese tonight for dinner and it was simply delicious. What a treat, I can't wait to try your other recipes. My husband pretty much fell in love with you while watchin you on the series, so -- just wanted to tell you how precious we think you are, and tell you to Be Encouraged!

*gentle hugs*

[Monica K.]

Dear Jess--

I watched you on the Food Network, and I have to say, I was really impressed by your performance. I was kind of surprised they got rid of you so soon (you were not my pick to eliminate...)

I just wanted to tell you that you did a really wonderful job. I felt that you were very passionate about your food. Keep up the blogging (I'm all about food, so I keep track of food blogs where I like the contributors). I know that you'll be successful in the future (and just think, you already have another career!)

I'm a self-taught cook who just finished my Master's, so I felt like you were the easiest to relate to.

Keep up the tasty cooking, and best wishes!

[Alison]

Jess, Just thought I'd send you a note...been watching FN. It's one thing to be a great cook, another to do what they do on there...seems so darn difficult. Don't give up on it, ok...keep on keepin' on. Loved watching you.

[Kelly]

Hello Jess!

I have to say that you have ginormous girl-balls to get up there and do what you did. You are a star in my eyes. I followed your link from the Food Network site and I am glad I did, you seem like such a down to earth person. Keep up the great work, like I said already... you ARE a star :)

[Carla]

Hey Jess:

It's been great reading your take on the FN on your site. You seem really down to earth and cool. Good luck in your future endeavors and thanks for the great recipes!!

[Meisha]

Hello Jess,

I saw you in the FN TV, I just wanted to say how precious you are throughout the show, how much I have been pround of you. I am originaly from Japan, I am not very good at presenting myself in front of huge audience.. You did a great job under the enormous pressure! I will try your Wantan soup and Asian bolognaise this coming weekend for sure. Thank you for sharing precious experience with us!

[Sam]

he may be a food god, but humans have been fed much worse. the simon cowell of food?