“Worst Cooks in America” is a hit competition series that transforms kitchen disasters into skilled cooks. Holgie Forrester of Twentynine Palms competes on the Food Network series this season. Reporter Rebecca Havely asks her about her worst cooking disasters…
Z: Holgie what lead you to apply for “Worst Cooks in America”?
HF: Well I saw one of their ads and I saw the plate crack and the wonderful logo of something splashing on a plate and the logo “Worst Cooks in America” and I went oh, that’s me!
Z: I heard it had been a while, prior to the show that you actually cooked a meal. When’s the last time you cooked a meal?
HF: I made a complete meal from beginning to end in 1967. I was in college and I made it for my history professor. I made a beautiful dinner and I said, that’s way too much work I’m never doing that again.
Z: I’ve heard you’re afraid to even make coffee.
HF: Yes I’ve been known to break even the Mr. Coffee Pot. I’ve done that a couple of times.
Z: Tell me about your college romance that ended because of your grilled cheese.
HF: I thought you made a grilled cheese by deep frying it. So I tried submerging it in a frying pan full of oil. My boyfriend at the time took one bite out of it and the grease ran down his cheeks and he says, what are you trying to do kill me? He threw it in the garbage can and walked out the door and I never saw him again.
Z: Since the show, how has your cooking changed?
HF: I’m not too intimidated. Chef Tyler and Chef Ann Burrell are amazing to watch. They give you little tid bits. People would pay big money to get the input they give you while they show you things and talking about food and the kitchen and preparation. I’m used to studying under masters in other fields but never around culinary experts. It was really a brand new very exciting adventure to me. Not that I can come home and totally recreate anything to their caliber, but I definitely feel less intimidated in the kitchen. Even though I love my husband’s cooking. If he wants to continue he’s more than welcome.
Z: Have you tried cooking a grill cheese since the show?
HF: I have not really but I know what not to do. In my mind I feel I could make a really good grilled cheese and I definitely know the pitfalls now.
Z: We wish you the best of luck on the show.
HF: It was just an amazing experience.
“Worst Cooks in America” premiers on the Food Network Sunday, January 3 at 9 p.m.
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