Jen MacLean, a cast member of Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America” recently answered a few questions for us about her passion to learn to cook and her favorite meals.
Jen, 43, from Sparta, New Jersey is an operating room nurse and mother of two. She has taken on a lot in her life, but the kitchen just hasn’t been conquered. She wants to give her husband a break from all the cooking and learn how to make nutritional meals for family.
Photo Courtesy of Food Network
PhoenixBites Interview with Jen MacLean
PhoenixBites: Of all your favorite meals, what one dish would you like to learn to master?
Jen MacLean: The one dish that I would love to master in the New Year is fresh pasta. I’m going to get a pasta attachment for my mixer and work on this in 2011. My kids and husband love spaghetti and meatballs. Learning how to master fresh pasta would be a wonderful way to “spice up” this ordinary meal.
PhoenixBites: Is there a person (chef, home cook, family member, etc.) that has inspired you to sharpen your culinary abilities?
Jen MacLean: The people that inspired me to sharpen my cooking skills were the same people that nominated me for the show….my husband (Scott) and my kids (Hannah and Patrick). My family has tolerated my kitchen chaos for a long time and their support throughout the filming of the show was what inspired me to work hard in Boot Camp and conquer my “cooking fears” once and for all.
PhoenixBites: Any advice you can give to our readers who may be beginners in the kitchen?
Jen MacLean: Cooking Novice Advice… Remember: If you are new to cooking it can be overwhelming. No need to become frustrated in yourself if things don’t always go smoothly (because they don’t). Remember: Most things can be fixed, and if not, you can always have a “do over”. Be confident in yourself, don’t panic and stay calm.
Set your DVRs! “Worst Cooks in America” airs on Sunday evenings at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network.