It occurred to me recently that I don’t actually have a recollection of cooking food before about 10 or 11 years ago when I was first introduced to Emeril Lagasse on this magical network I had never even heard of called The Food Network. Well, let me take that back, but just a part of it. I do remember trying to cook a steak for my man after we had been dating a couple years. I refer to the experience in a funny little memoir that I put together about the early years of Jen and Chris. You can read it HERE, if you are so inclined. It’s kinda funny. I basically placed before him a finished dish that resembled more of a celery salt flavored beef jerky than steak. I meant well. And he was as gracious as ever, as he sat trying to break down the tough meat with his poor sad teeth and tired jaws. (I love you, honey!!)

But, in all seriousness, I don’t know what we ate after that. I know we did eat, obviously, but I can’t begin to tell you what. So, it wasn’t until the one evening that I  came home to find Chris watching this television show called “Emeril Live,” that my palate was saved.

I was leery at first. I still had my old idea of what cooking shows were like. B-o-r-i-n-g. (*gasp!*) Little did I know that this goofy, black-haired, east coast – sounding man that shouted, “BAM!” at me all the time would single handedly change the way my husband and I looked at food forever! Food could be fun! Food could be engaging! You can cook food together! And listen to music while doing it! Food makes people happy! Food makes us happy! What a thing to behold!!! Oh! I am so happy right now!

So, with that, I owe a debt of gratitude to Emeril Lagasse and would like to dedicate this week’s poll question to him! (Even though it is very possible that he may not come out on top, that doesn’t matter!).

I give you this week’s poll question: Who is your favorite Food Network chef? To help you consider your answer, I have provided photographs of the 10 that you can choose from. If I haven’t listed your favorite, I do apologize! You can lovingly add it to the comment section! I don’t mind! The actual poll is down there…right under Tyler’s photo! Vote away! I can’t wait to see which chef takes the lead!

Emeril Lagasse

Alton Brown

Bobby Flay

Guy Fieri

Giada De Laurentiis

Rachael Ray

Mario Batali

Michael Symon

Paula Deen, ya’ll!

Tyler Florence

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