Me and Bobby Mc… Flay?
Posted by Kirsten Henri on March 31st, 2008
Yes, that was me on Throwdown! with Bobby Flay on the Food Network last night. And yes, that was me NOT voting for the Philly version of the soft pretzel, but for Bobby Flay’s surprisingly delicious alternative. Before you rabid localists start a petition to get me thrown out of the city on grounds of culinary treason, take in the whole tale.
A few months ago, I got an email from a production company asking if I would appear as a ’soft pretzel expert’ on a new, unnamed, host-free Food Network show that traveled the country, focusing on local specialties…
I said yes, since I figured in this multimedia age, it was a good idea to get some TV experience on the ol’ food writing resume. The producer had made the show sound like a nice, safe documentary which appealed to the nerd in me. Of course, he was a lying liar whose pants were aflame.
So I showed up at Drexel’s hospitality school for this mystery show and while we were waiting for the producers to do something with us, my fellow judge Adrienne Hall, chef-instructor at Drexel, told me that her culinary students–who were in the next room with the Pretzel Boys–suspected what I had not: that this was a Throwdown!
I don’t have a TV, so I didn’t know what Throwdown! was. I was a tiny bit mad because I don’t really like surprises (note: except champagne, that’s always a nice surprise). My options were to bolt or to suck it up. I was already miked, had signed a release and didn’t want to be a bad sport, so I sucked it up.
Sure enough, Throwdown! it was. Bobby Flay walked into the next room and the culinary student crowd went wild. While the Flay team and the Pretzel Boys went at it making their product, Adrienne and I had to talk to the camera about our pretzel preferences. Here’s where it got ugly.
The producer wanted us to say what we thought made a great Philly soft pretzel. They asked us to mention something about ‘cheese sauce.’ I protested. A true Philadelphian would NEVER EVER sully a pretzel with cheese sauce. We clothe our pretzels in mustard and mustard only. You want to argue about what type of mustard, fine, but not cheese. Never cheese. I’m a purist.
He insisted, I frowned. My reputation was on the line here! We compromised on ‘dipping sauce,’ which also offended me, but I didn’t want to be a pretzel prima donna. At least not at this early stage in my career.
After about an hour, the producers called us back in to judge. The Pretzel Boys, Bobby Flay, the crew and thirty culinary students stared at Adrienne and me as we inspected, tasted and discussed. You could have heard a pin drop. Also, try chewing a pretzel under pressure, hot lights, three cameras and 100 eyeballs. Mercifully, Adrienne procured some bottles of Dogfish Head which made it all better.
Bobby Flay’s pretzels, although not traditionally “Philly” in shape or texture, were delicious. The Pretzel Boys version, despite being a proper Philly pretzel in shape and theory (and despite their winning of Best of Philly), were not delicious. Had it been a Center City Soft Pretzel from 8th and Washington, I would have sent Bobby back from whence he came, but these were not deserving of an award. Also, I ask you, what sort of Philly pretzel retailer doesn’t even have a location within Philly city limits?
So that’s why I voted for Bobby Flay. His was just more delicious, which, in the end, is what is really matters. The purist in me refuses to comment on the cheese sauce.
Throwdown! with Bobby Flay [Food Network]
Related Tags: Bobby-Flay-Steak, Food-Network, Pretzel
March 31st, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I also had never heard of the Pretzel Boys before seeing them on Throwdown. Though their pretzels may not be fit for the city, they were entertaining on camera. Perhaps they were chosen so that Bobby could improve his Philly Throwdown record?
March 31st, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Cheese sauce? Blasphemy. Federal baking all the way… But didn’t I just hear their building is for sale…?
March 31st, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I always knew the Food Network was in cahoots with Big Cheese Sauce.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:51 am
I think it’s funny they wanted you there for an expert opinion and then proceeded to force that opinion, loaded with cheese sauce, down your throat. Good for you for refusing to back down.
April 1st, 2008 at 10:41 am
The Pretzel Boys were a boy band straight outta Conshohocken in the early 90’s. They had a minor hit with “I’ll Twist for You (My Salty Lady)” in ‘91. They split up after Joey “Doughboy” Reynolds was outed as allergic to wheat while in Wildwood in ‘93.
Cheese… What a bunch of divas.
April 2nd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Soft pretzels have been one of my favorite foods for my entire life. Interestingly enough, and this just goes to show how tastes vary, the Pretzel Boys pretzels ar emy number one favorite ever. There is a shop a few blocks from my office in Wilmington, and it takes every ounce of self-control in my body not to stop in each time I walk past.
I think the outside is perfectly crisped/browned with a fluffy and chewy inside. The salting is always distributed well. They are delicious with or without mustard. Although once I tried one with their light american chese sauce — a worthy alternative to mustard.
I would have voted against Flay on principle, I just don’t like him!
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I’m with you! I saw that Throwdown and said a) who ARE these people? (The Pretzel Boys) Never hoid of them! and b) what’s with this dipping sauce crap?
I saw how you wanted more beer. I can’t blame you a bit! Seriously you did a great job! They always vote by “traditional” on Throwdown which means Flay usually looses. I’ve said for a long time they should vote by taste. Which what you did.
Two big thumbs up!
April 4th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA makes evertthing better!
April 4th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
i happened to see this show while in philly recently. i thought something was up by ms. henri’s expression while chewing. or maybe she always chews with her mouth slightly agape. seriously, good for her who has the courage of her convictions and not be influenced by the producer!
April 5th, 2008 at 12:19 am
My cousin does NOT chew with her mouth open, she is a lady!
The ONE time I forgo the TV for work and I miss my own flesh and blood on TV!!! I’m with ya though cousin, Mustard only!