Testing Out America’s Test Kitchen

Do you have someone you have always wanted to meet?  Like maybe a professional athlete or an Oscar winner?

I do.  There is a group of people I have wanted to meet so badly, that I even put meeting them on my bucket list.  Only thing, I just didn’t know if it could even really happen.  This group of people (and I would meet any and all, even just one of the group would be cool) are cooks and chefs for America’s Test Kitchen.  My go to cookbook.  Also a part of America’s Test Kitchen is Cook’s Illustrated magazine.  I devour every article and every recipe every month..  I often refer to Cook’s Illustrated magazine as my cooking Bible.

Well, I get to check this off my bucket list!!

Tuesday, Sean surprised me with a ticket to a one night show.  A Behind the Scenes of America’s Test Kitchen.  And what’s even better, is that he also gave me a ticket to the meet and greet before the show!

I know, right?!

I was going to meet Christopher Kimball, who started America’s Test Kitchen.  And as I was getting ready to head down to the city, I was preparing all of my questions that I wanted to ask him.  I rehearsed them on my drive down.  I was prepared.  I was ready to meet one of my idols.

It was an intimate crowd at the meet and greet.  As we all waited, I was clutching my favorite issue of Cook’s Illustrated, double and triple checking that my phone had enough batteries, and in he walks.  Christopher Kimball in the flesh.  And he brought with him Jack Bishop, who heads up the tasting corner of America’s Test Kitchen, and Dan Souza who is a Test Chef.

I was beside myself with excitement.  And frozen.  I couldn’t move.  I just looked at them and I drew a blank.  Couldn’t think of a thing except that I needed to snap out of it.

So I picked up my lead feet and got in line to meet Christopher.  And when it was my turn, all those questions I had rehearsed were gone.  Out the window.  Couldn’t remember a single one.    But I did muster up the guts to ask him to sign my magazine.  Got the picture taken with him.

Then he asked me: “Brooke, do you have any questions for me?”

My mind was still blank.  All I could get out was “I’m just happy to be here.”

And I was.  I also got to meet Dan Souza, who attended the CIA here in Dutchess county.

The show was excellent.  Christopher showed us behind the scenes.

Dan showed us how to make the best hamburger.

Jack Bishop answered product tasting questions.

And Christopher answered some of their favorite questions ATK has received over the years.

It was a terrific evening, and one I will never forget.

It was great to meet you too, Jack.

Thank you Sean, for making one of my dreams come true!