My Visit to Food Network

O n Thursday morning, Eric and I met Kelsey Nixon and some employees of Food Network in Chelsea Market.

Part of the prize I won was lunch with Kelsey and a tour of the Food Network. Kelsey was a contestant on the fourth season of the Next Food Network Star. She also has several culinary degrees under her belt and has worked with Martha Stewart Living and Real Simple. She is currently hosting a cooking show on Food2.com, with Top Chef's Spike Mendelsohn. I like their cute show - I couldn't stop watching. Those two are great on camera together.

It was great meeting Kelsey; She was cute 'n tiny, down-to-earth, friendly, and had a lot of valuable information to share. The culinary school she went to in Hollywood had an emphasis on food media, which piqued (thanks dad) my interest when she told me that. That's what I'm interested in going into. I would like to work with a food magazine, food company, network etc, with recipe testing and food styling. It seems like a nice school. But I think I'd prefer a baking & pastry program.

So we were given a tour of Chelsea Market by Chloe and Jonte (Food Network employees), and learned a little bit about its history. Did you know Chelsea Market is actually in an old Nabisco factory?

They had a mustache art exhibit going on while we were there. Can you believe our luck?! Eric actually fainted because he got too excited.

We walked by many familiar restaurants and shops that I had explored when Mom and I came there to film Ultimate Recipe Showdown - including Amy's Bread, Bowery Kitchen Supply, Buon Italia, Chelsea Thai, and the Lobster Place. Oh! I can't forget Ninth Street Espresso. They have the best coffee ever... seriously. I had a beautiful latte there once.

Finally, towards the back of the market, we entered the elevators to take us up to the Food Network studios and kitchens. In previous trips in this elevator, I was a nervous wreck. This time I was relaxed and had no need to worry! It wasn't like I was about to compete for $25,000 or anything.

Here we are! Whoo whoo!


Then we took a stroll through one of the studios. The other studio was being used for a top secret show! Ooooh. I know what it was... but I'll never tell. Teehee.


This is the studio where Rachael Ray films 30 Minute Meals. I can't remember what other shows are filmed here. Many of the cooking shows are filmed in the chef's homes, or they rent out homes. Sunny Anderson, maybe?
Here I am! I look quite happy.


Kelsey and I.


I had her sign my magazine. :)


Eric and I.


Then, we toured the kitchens! This is where the Food Network crew tests their recipes. This is also where Bobby Flay films Throwdown.





I always wear this sweater! I can't help it. I get chilly.



Then we explored some other areas of Food Network. We walked by several green rooms, makeup rooms, and hair rooms.




This is the Food Network library, and it contains every cookbook imaginable. The Food Network chefs come here to do research for their recipes. Um... I could live here.


Food Network has a line at Kohls, and they have to test the kitchen equipment before they can sell the products. This was a room with a bunch of the used equipment.
I want.


A stroll through an office-y area.


Is that Bob Tuschman's office? Why yes it is! I met ol' Bob back in 2008. We're good buddies.


Food Network board room. I've never been to a meeting in a board room. I bet it's intense.


Kelsey gazing at the beauty of Food Network. Look at all of those TVs!!


Careful going down those stairs, Eric!


This is where the Food Network's website is maintained, as well as Food2.com. I think I'd like working here. Look at all of those computers!


The tour took about an hour, and then it was time to break for lunch. Brandon Johnson, a blogger of Food2.com joined us. We chose to eat at Friedman's Lunch in Chelsea Market.

Funny story. Eric is chewing pulled pork in this picture. It makes me laugh every time I see it.

That's his sandwich on the left. The pulled pork had papaya barbecue sauce and pickled red onions on top. I tried it and it was very, very good.


Kelsey had an open-faced steak sandwich with blue cheese and a spinach salad on top.




Brandon and I ordered the fried chicken with a side of macaroni and cheese. I thought it was soooo good. Like, I wanted to eat every single bit. I didn't, though, because we were going to Daniel later. Brandon said her mom makes better fried chicken, so I guess I'm going to have to try it someday. I LOVE fried chicken. I love mac and cheese more, though. I'm obsessed. Mmmm I could go for some of these bites right now.


Kelsey and Brandon said Eric and I had to try Amy's devil's food cake, so we walked down to Amy's to grab a slice... or three.












Love, love Amy's Bread. So was this the ultimate chocolate cake?


Yes, yes it was. Perfectly chocolate and moist. It really doesn't get better than this.


I had a great time touring Food Network and meeting Kelsey, Brandon, and all of the employees of Food Network and Food2.com. Thank you so much Food2.com and Pyrex!


Why is my arm at that angle? I'm so awkward.