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Did Food Network chef overseason his credentials?
By Lauren | February 21, 2008
As a dedicated Food Network fan, I was saddened to read in the Tampa Bay Times this week that chef Robert Irvine has been accused of exaggerating his past professional successes. Irvine, the hunky, hard-driving star of Food Network’s “Dinner Impossible” series, allegedly claimed a top-flight knighthood he never received, an unsubstantiated friendship with the Prince of Wales, and an uncorroborated role in decorating the cake for Charles’ wedding to Princess Diana.
Having watched Irvine on camera, I have no doubt he’s a very capable chef. I’ve seen him organize marvelous meals under nearly impossible conditions for everyone from Hurricane Katrina relief workers to Renaissance Faire performers. The man clearly knows his way around a sautée pan. He’s also charismatic as they come, blessed with rugged good looks and a swanky English accent - think James Bond crossed with Bobby Flay. In other words, Irvine already had everything he needed to be a success on “foodie TV” without claiming regal connections he didn’t have.
The culinary world is extremely competitive, and Irvine may have thought that he would stand a better chance of success if he layered the cake of his actual accomplishments with “royal icing,” so to speak. As it is, it looks as though Irvine’s professional reputation may be about to deflate like an undercooked souffle.
Topics: Business Ethics, Personal Ethics |