There’s a big debate on Twitter right now–the YA lit world is buzzing with what could be the most pressing question of our time. Team Peeta or Team Gale? Not since vampires vs. werewolves has a debate been so heated. But honestly, I’m going to let Hunger Games experts be the ones to discuss this because, while I loved the books, this seems like a non-thing to me. Obviously, the answer is Team Gale. Obviously.
Now. My friend Amanda is vehemently Team Peeta. Her defense of this mousy, pasty beta-of-all-beta heroes is indefatigable. It is clear and single-focused: “Everyone loves a man who can cook.”
Interestingly, this simple defense is enough to give me pause. Because, truthfully, everyone does love a man who can cook. Me, especially. I have a total obsession with chefs. The day Top Chef was created in a back room at Bravo I swear, I heard angels sing.
I admire knife skills. I dream of palates. I think those white jackets are about the sexiest thing ever worn by man. I TiVo No Reservations. I refer to Tom Colicchio as “Big Daddy Colicchio.” I heard Eric Ripert expound on the difference between sea salt and iodized salt once–and fell a little bit in love. One of my dad’s closest friends owns a restaurant. Sometimes I sneak into the kitchen just to watch the guys work the line.
My name is Sarah, and I’m addicted to chefs.
It’s ok. My husband knows. He’s cool with it. (Because he’s a foodie, too.)
You have only to read Bella Andre‘s Tempt Me, Taste Me, Touch Me or Louisa Edwards‘s fab Can’t Stand the Heat to know just how hot a chef can really be…but what is it about chefs that makes them so. Very. Sexy? They’re artists, and they work with their hands, sure. But they’re also keenly aware of the senses…taste, scent, texture, the way food looks on a plate…and I think that’s where their sexiness lies–in their clear commitment to perfection in the most sensual of ways. Yum.
Are you addicted to chefs? Why?
March 14th, 2010 at 5:15 am
I will never forget the first time I watched Emeril Lagasse cook on television. He was making some garlic-pork-wine thing (obviously, it wasn't the recipe that made an impression), and he made this noise. I am typically very aroused by men in the kitchen, in general. But Emeril helped me take my foodie obsession to a whole new level that day.
Anyway, he made this noise… I equate it to an orgasm, because I'm not sure how else to explain it. (Truthfully, the only time I've ever heard a noise like that was… well, you know, an orgasm.) And then he looked down into the pot and he said, "Oh, yeah, babe," in a way that only Emerical can say those words. And I was hooked. As a very sense-aware person, I thought, anyone who can be that moved by food, I have got to know better. So I started watching every Food Network show I could.
And many years later, thanks to Emeril and his decadent expressiveness, I am addicted to chefs and food shows, I'm a bona fide foodie myself, and I watch the Food Network almost exclusively.
For me, the enjoyment of food is a very sexual experience. So I guess the combination of men and food is just too much for me. I'm a sucker for a guy who enjoys food, or likes to cook.
Great post, Sarah!
March 14th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Just wanted to stop back in to say that I left you a "best of" award for my favorite posts of the week on my NKotWB blog. Love this post. :-)