If you couldn’t already tell, I cooked on live television and lived to tell the tale! Whee! I’m still a little giggly thinking about it!
Ben, my trusty husband/the birthday boy, and I woke up in the wee hours of the morning to be at the news station in enough time to film our first segment at 5:40am. I think we were both so wired that we didn’t even feel tired, despite a 3:30am wake up call!
(sorry for the blurry iPhone photos!)
Ok, maybe Ben was a wee bit sleepy, but God bless his supportive little heart for being there for me anyways. I really needed him to calm my nerves. :)
The news room was already buzzing with news, weather and traffic reports by the time we arrived, so we setup shop in the studio kitchen as quickly and quietly as we could. I laid out all the ingredients, pots and pans necessary to whip up my French Onion Soup Sandwiches on air.
When there was nothing left to prep, I looked up at the clock and there it was – 5:40am. Show time. GULP. I started stirring my skillet full of caramelizing onions, and took a deep breath…
Mmmkay, the 5:40 run didn’t go so hot…! The 1:20 minute intro video that was supposed to run before the live segment accidentally cut out, and all of the sudden there was a giant camera with a blinking red light in my face. Ready or not, it was GO time and we were on LIVE! AHH!
Ben was watching from inside the control room, and when the video unexpectedly stopped playing he said the controllers, who have probably seen it all, very calmly adapted to the situation.
“Ahhh crap. Cut to onions…” ;)
I’m so glad we had the 5:40 segment to “practice” on though, because I felt a million times more prepared to repeat the segment for a second time at 6:40am.
The second time around, the intro video played without a hitch and, although the sandwich didn’t make it to the plate because we ran out of time (I felt like Bobby Flay was going to jump out at any moment and scream at me for not managing my time well, a la The Next Food Network Star!) I tried my very hardest. :)
I think most people are pretty critical of themselves when watching something they’ve done on tape or tv, so I’ll spare you what I thought, but I will say this – you’ve got to start somewhere!!
A million and one thank you’s to Katie Ward and Steve Karlin for giving me this amazing, unforgettable opportunity and experience I will not soon forget. And thank you to everyone who left sweet notes on Twitter & Facebook today. You are all so thoughtful! :)
Lindsey @ Morningstar Project 10.09.2011
Congrats!!! You are adorable on air, I wouldn’t even guess you were nervous!
Brook @ Redhead Reverie 10.08.2011
You are a ROCK STAR. Must. Get. Autograph. ;-) Watch out Food Network because Iowa Girl is ready for her close-up. This is the coolest! Congrats.
Oh, and I hope Ben had a great birthday…29? Really? He’s just a baby. :-)
Have a great rest of the weekend…such a bummer about the Hawks…Grrrrrrrr….
J. d'Artagnan Love 10.08.2011
congrats and good work!!
Panera John 10.08.2011
You are a rock star!!!
Sophie @ LoveLiveAndLearn 10.08.2011
Wow congratulations! That’s so amazing, what an opportunity!
I love it :-)
kathleen @ the daily crumb 10.08.2011
congrats, kristin! what an amazing morning. love the segment… and those sammies!!
Corey @ Learning Patience 10.08.2011
How awesome! Great job….what a memorable opportunity!
xoxo from Trinidad
Emily Milliner 10.08.2011
Fabulous! Just perfect! Great job! I’m so glad I found your blog while looking for a chicken salad recipe a year ago…now I am hooked :)
Emily @ A Cambridge Story 10.08.2011
Wow – so neat. Well done!
Carly 10.08.2011
Congrats! You totally rocked it!
em @ simplypresent 10.08.2011
How exciting is this?!
Congrats!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss 10.08.2011
That’s so cool! I remember touring the CNN studios in New York when we were there and playing in front of the green screen. That thing is trippy- haha!
Gabriela @ Fro-Yo Lover 10.08.2011
You looked AWESOME, Kristin!
I just saw your segment – you sounded so confident and cute!
I just wish they had more time so we could see how that delicious sandwich turned out ;)
You were born to be on TV!
Great job, seriously :)
xoxoxoxo
Blog is the New Black 10.08.2011
You are adorable!
Sarah 10.08.2011
Congrats!!!!! What an exciting morning. I’ve got the french onion soup sandwiches on my to-make list.
{Follower from Vermont, who grew up in the Midwest, so I LOVE everything you make.}
Kathleen 10.08.2011
Great show! BTW, your site is an inspiration in Belgium too :)
Kath from Belgium…
anna 10.08.2011
Being on PST, I missed the broadcast but saw the video online. Not bad! Congrats!
Em 10.07.2011
WAY TO GO! :) :) :) :)
So fun to watch. You are a natural.
And happy birthday to Ben.
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio 10.07.2011
Unreal! You did wonderful and didn’t seem nervous at all. 25K views a day is amazing too. Great job with everything!
Melinda 10.07.2011
Wow, that is amazing Kristin! You are a natural on TV!