Carlos Manuel, a cast member of Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America” recently answered a few questions for us about his passion to learn to cook and his favorite meals.
Photo Courtesy of the Food Network
Carlos, 28, from Atlanta, is a true mama’s boy and never learned to cook because his mother prepared all his meals growing up. Now an assistant bank manager, Carlos believes cooking will help his traditional Lebanese family see that he is no longer the baby, but rather a self-sufficient adult.
PhoenixBites Interview With Carlos Manuel
PhoenixBites: Of all your favorite meals, what one dish would you like to learn to master?
Carlos Manuel: I really loved the steak! I think it is and will always be my favorite meal. The explosion of flavor with every piece of meat in my mouth was AMAZING. Chef Anne really knows how to prepare a great steak!
PhoenixBites: Is there a person (chef, home cook, family member, etc.) that has inspired you to sharpen your culinary abilities?
Carlos Manuel: My mom would cook three meals a day, never making us eat leftovers, which was amazing. It really made everyone that came over to visit her feel at home, because she would be in the kitchen with her cute little apron just cooking a GIANT pot of delicious food. Food really made everyone feel welcome and invited to her home, which is exactly what I’m hoping to accomplish – although I’m not cooking three meals a day, that’s just crazy!
PhoenixBites: Any advice you can give to our readers who may be beginners in the kitchen?
Carlos Manuel: I think it’s the little things that make someone a bad cook, and until those basics are learned you will continue to be a bad cook. Everyone has their own style of cooking and I think the important thing is to really find your own groove. Chef Anne really helped me feel comfortable in just being myself in the kitchen and finding my own grove. If I were to pass any advice along at all it would be to RELAX , and PRACTICE!
Set your DVRs! “Worst Cooks in America” airs on Sunday evenings at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network.