“It was crazy to see Chef Ramsey get into it, with production at times, because at the end of the day as he says,” “I’m running a restaurant here.” “Production always wanted to focus on the drama and changed things to make for better TV,” said season 3 winner of Hell’s Kitchen Rahman “Rock” Harper.
Every year Waterfront Park, in Portland host The Bite of Oregon. It’s a meeting place, for some of Portland’s culinary talents. You can have food and wine from some of the best restaurants in town, for a reasonable price. And you can’t help but want everything, because everywhere you turn theirs a wonderful aroma floating from every which way. This year I had the opportunity to attend; not only did I go for my love of food but for my appreciation of the art and bonus, I got to meet Rahman “Rock” Harper, season 3 winner of Hell’s Kitchen.
I always had a love for cooking, at one point I fell out of love, but through “reality TV” shows like: Top Chef, Hell’s Kitchen and Food Network Channel. I fell in love again, but this time I found a fascination with the art of putting flavors together, learning new skills and having people love what I made. So, I took some classes and learned knife skills, stocks, soups, sauces, and the proper way to cook meat. I found that every plate I put on the table was my intense labor of love and boy was it a labor (4 to 6 hrs. for dinner). I also found that I took any criticism very personal. If someone said “It was ok,” I’d freak and say “what do you mean its ok, what’s wrong with it?”
That would put me in “perfection obsession mode,” to make the dish again until it was “great.” Nothing less would do.
Although I learned some wonderful things, I also realized that it was too late for me to start a career and make a living, my children are accustomed to. This dream didn’t work-out for me (I have plenty of others I can fulfill), but what will never leave me, is my appreciation of an art and the love I gained for cooking again. This is why, it was such a pleasure to attend The Bite of Oregon and meet “Rock.”
Rahman “Rock” Harper began his love of cooking in his grandmother’s kitchen, in Virginia. He witnessed and tasted the love his grandmother put into every dish and believed that, that was the only way anyone could make good food. “You can taste when a chef is having a bad day, so always cook with your heart and you can never go wrong.”
I guess the saying my mother had above the stove was right “Cook with Love.” As a child, I would stare at that red porcelain sign with pots and a big pink heart, and wonder what it really meant. Now I know the meaning all too well, but it’s not just in the cooking, it’s in the preparation: the dicing, mixing and stirring. The process as a whole takes love.
Rock Harper had 10 years under his belt when he auditioned for Hell’s Kitchen, after a second attempt of auditioning, he made season 3 of the show. He made for good TV with his high and mighty attitude, at times and his strategic way of playing the game, but in the end he had the chops. Chef Gordon Ramsey chose him as season 3 winner of Hell’s Kitchen. As his prize he won a 1 year contract with the Terra Verde, Las Vegas Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa and Casino and $250,000.
At The Bite of Oregon he gave a demonstration. He made mushrooms and leeks, topped with a quail egg for an appetizer and chicken with grilled romaine lettuce, drizzled with a pan sauce (all tasted really good). During the demonstration he was asked questions, which he graciously answered. When an audience member asked a rude question, Rock laughed it off, continued cooking and answering questions; although at times it seemed to be more about Chef Ramsey, then him. When asked about his time at the Terra Verde.
“I was a marketing tool, to drive business to the new restaurant.” “It is what it is, I’m not bitter about it.”
He was also asked about Heather West season 2 winner, whom was supposed to work at the sister restaurant to the Terra Verde, the Red Rock Casino but is now a part of this seasons Hell’s Kitchen, he answered.
“Yea, Heather quit, ah whatever.”
After the demo, he spent about an hour talking to people, taking photographs and signing autographs. Some people asked advice about getting on the show. Others gave him their business card and some just asked cooking questions. I had a good time, found some new inspiration and got some inside secrets on Hell’s Kitchen’s tapings.
As for “Rock,” he is in the process of shopping around for a network, to produce a show idea he’s come up with, on food of course. He’s also working on a cooking book he says will be out soon; more things to come from this Hell’s Kitchen winner.
Picture Credits: Top Picture of Chef Harper, www.eujacksonville.com. Center picture of Chef Ramsay and Chef Harper, www.washingtonpost.com. Last picture is mine and the art is done by me.
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