When I first walked through the doors of the studio, I felt the butterflies in my stomach. I was nervous, excited, and so anxious all at once. I was at The Chew… THE CHEW! My absolute favorite daytime TV show. The show I watch everyday at 1pm on abc or later at night on Hulu if I miss it. I was here to be a judge for a “You on The Chew” Cook-off. How did I get to this point?
Well, a week earlier, I couldn’t believe it when I got a message from The Chew on my Instagram. They liked my picture of my Roasted Tomatoes and wanted to possibly use it on air…. Yes! Of course they could! When I started posting food pictures and recipes on my new blog and social media, and hashtaging “You On The Chew,” I never thought that I would actually get contacted. I mean, things like this never happen to me. Then, a few days later, my picture and Roasted Tomato dish was shown on the show for that day’s “You On The Chew!” I was estatic!
After a few back and forth messages and phone calls after I was shown, it was decided that I was to come on the show to be a guest judge for the day. Oh my goodness… was this really happening? Was I dreaming? I was going to be on The Chew!
So, I was going to be judging with two other previous You On The Chew featured people, Casey and Alissa. They kept us in the green room until it was time for us to go on set. When it was time, we got to sit right at the tasting table. Even after the judging, we got to taste all the other great foods that were going to be made. I think this was going to be a great first time Chew experience.
After the guy who warms up the audience finished, out came Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Michael Simon! I was in awe! They waved and spoke to everyone and I got to shake Michael’s hand! They sat in their seats at the main table and boom, the show started!
Our segment was first. Clinton introduced each of us by name and we all got a wave in. Carla and Michael prepared the two dishes, a Carnita Taco & and Stromboli. Both dishes were really good. I definitely planned to make They myself later in the week. The Carnita won, but the Stromboli could have just as easily of won as well. We got to eat Michael’s Beef and Root Vegetable Stew in the next segment, which was excellent as well. The staff brings out samples of each dish for you too eat and is ready to remove the plates after just a few minutes. I found myself shoving the food in my mouth during the commercial breaks before they could take my plate because I wanted to take small dainty bites while the cameras were rolling. Lol. One time, I was still shoving in the last bite as the staff member was pulling my plate from the table! It was hilarious!
After the show was done filming, I got to take a picture with Michael Simon…. score! Then we got to have our pictures taken as we stood next the set in front of one of the Chew islands. I also got a chance to get a Chew mug to remember my time there.
It was such an absolute amazing day! It was definitely a dream come true. This was truly an experience that I will never, ever forget!
*The Chew episode is season 7, Episode 102: “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.”
