I Ought To Be In Pictures (Or At Least on TV)
A couple of months ago there was a flurry of activity looking for someone “like a Canadian Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives“ for casting a Food Network Canada show. At the time a number of people ask me if I knew anyone.
I offered my suggestions, all the while thinking “ME, I’d be perfect!!!!” but not saying it or typing it out loud.
Time passed, and the opportunity come back around. Someone was casting for someone like Guy Fieri to host a new food show. They want someone male, 25-45, and funny…. but it seemed foolish to keep quiet for a second time, even though I’m not a perfect match for their main requirements
So here is my pitch:
I am a big personality, though I’m not a male, I’ve always been one of the guys (I’ve always thought “guy” was gender-neutral and attitude rich!)
I am the editor and publisher of CheapEats Restaurant Guides and have been talking about and sharing the food-of-the-people since 2002.
I have a pre-existing audience as a Taste Maker in both traditional and social media spaces, and more importantly in real life (see me @alexaclark @ceto @ceot @secretpickle www.flickr.com/photos/lexnger www.facebook.com/alexa.clark www.alexaclark.com www.unsweetened.ca www.cetoblog.com www.ceotblog.com www.secretpicklesupperclub.com and more)
Through twitter and social media demand, my birthday party turned into a hot ticket supper club that has been running in venues all across Toronto. (www.secretpicklesupperclub.com @secretpickle)
I’m on the steering committee for Second Harvest‘s Toronto Taste and co-chair the social media subcommittee, and am a co-founder & organiser of HoHoTO, one of the top third party fundraisers for Daily Bread Food Bank.
I grew up on an organic farm selling vegetables in the Saint John City Market. I worked in my first profession kitchen at 13. I’ve waitressed my way through high school summers. Slung beer through a bMath at Waterloo. And once I was making the big bucks, ate my way through some of the finest restaurants and diviest dives as a high paid tech consultant.
I search out the most interesting food, people and experiences independent of the price point.
I am fiercely Canadian and have family from one end of our country to the other.
I’m excited by food, flavours, ingredients; farms, markets, restaurants; beer, cider, wine. And of course people, because what food doesn’t have it’s start in someone’s passion, history or imagination?
I’m big, bold, and brazen.
Pick me!
Please.
Lex
And then, to show a bit more of what I can do… or at least want to do… or at least where I’m starting, I went to Ottawa’s Ribfest with the lovely Susan Murphy kindly manning my camera, and taped the following audition video:
It was a quick shoot just to get a footage of me on camera, it’s been a while since I’ve been in front of the camera and it was one take, so please excuse my occasionally awkward patter. I promise that next time it will be tighter and sharper, with less “right on”s. (yes, Nancy I hear you saying “right on, right on!”)
Feel free to send words of encouragement and cross your fingers for me!
Terrific read and watch on the video Alexa. I also LOVE the photo of you!! I wish you luck, I think you would be great in a role like this!
You would be a great fit for this, such a charismatic but accessible combination of food knowledge and acerbic style. Pick Alexa!
I wish we could vote or hit LIKE or something. I’d watch this show if you were hosting!
lex on tv? hell yes.
Wow guys, thank you so much! I wish there was a way to “hit LIKE” too, but your comments really help!
I food loving Mathie is a no brainer. You would be awesome, Alexa. Love the rib vid.
That was excellent, lex! Nice improv, and I’m impressed how you made it all work in one shot.
I hope the powers that be are reading/watching – you’d be a hit! Or at the very least, the audience wouldn’t know what hit them… GO LEX!
That was really great, you’re a natural. Entertaining, informative and fun. You have my vote. Break a leg…er, rib.
Yes Yes YES! —and I so hope we would be able to watch you down here in the Maritimes as well!
lex, your a natural fit for this, you’ve got my vote, and I know the food gods are smiling…..
That would be epic.
Seriously, if they do’t pick you for this, they *have* to find some way to get you on food network canada. Srsly. 😀