You won season 3 of Hell’s Kitchen. The truth: Is Gordon Ramsay as grumpy as he appears?
He comes in joking in the morning, having a good time, but when [the contestants] make repeated mistakes, that’s what you see on TV. He’s much worse than you can imagine. They cut out the really bad stuff. All those bleeps are real.
You just finished up your prize year in Las Vegas. Does D.C. or Vegas have more secrets?
It depends where you are in D.C. If you’re on Capitol Hill, there’s a lot going on there. The senators may go out to the desert, but they always come back [to D.C.]. Me, I’ve got no secrets.
Truest kitschy kitchen phrase: “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen” or “Too many cooks spoil the broth”?
“Too many cooks spoil the broth.” With business and art, one person needs to make a decision. Just somebody do it, and do it well. Everyone else should just fall aside.
What’s the biggest difference between Food Network chefs and reality-show chefs?
To me, it seems that Food Network shows are in a box. They’ve got a brand. But outside of the Food Network, you see more personality shine through.
What’s so hot about open kitchens?
Chefs are rock stars now, and people want to see them. Gone are the days with a little round window into the kitchen covered over with a piece of cardboard. [Cooking] is like a play; it’s like theater.
Ben’s Chili Bowl opened a Nationals Park outpost. Better baseball grub: half-smokes or nachos?
It’s got to be the nachos. You can share the nachos. Unless you’re my wife or kids, I’m not going to give you a bite of my half-smoke.
Bill Cosby has been a regular at Ben’s since the ’60s. Has he dropped in Next Door?
Nope, but I’m sure we’ll get him. When he comes into town, I’m pretty sure he’ll sit down. I’ll serve him a Jell-O Pudding Pop or whatever I have to do.
Any big names heating up the stools?
MC Lyte, Allen Iverson, Kurtis Blow. Wolfgang Puck was in the Chili Bowl at 2 a.m. He wanted fried chicken. I had run out of chicken at Next Door, so I had to run across the street and borrow some. It took about 30 minutes, but I got him some fried chicken.
President Obama has dined at Ben’s already. How do you spark his culinary interest?
I’m probably going to add some Chicago favorites. A great kids’ menu might entice him, too.
BET filmed Inauguration Day coverage live from Ben’s Next Door. How does food fit with such a historic event?
Food is at everything we do, whether it’s a make-up, a break-up. I think I can change the world through food. These guys have changed history with some hot dogs and chili, so it’s there.