The Next Iron Chef Ame-RA-ca

via http://www.foodnetwork.com/chefs/seamus-mullen/index.html# 

As many of you know, I love to travel.  I also love to eat.  When I can combine the two, I'm a happy camper, but sadly, I can't always be running off to some exotic location just for the sake of dinner.  The next best option is going to grab dinner around the corner but feeling like you are traveling because the food is so good that it transports you.  THAT is what happened to me the first time I ate at Boqueria, a Spanish restaurant/tapas bar on 19th St. in Manhattan that was just down the street from where I used to work.  It also happened to me when I ate there the second time, the third time, the fourth time...ok, you get the point.  Boqueria quickly became my favorite restaurant in Manhattan, one that I found nearly every excuse in the book to frequent. I loved this restaurant so much that it is where I decided to have my going away dinner, donned in my finest heels, on my very last night in Manhattan before moving down to Baltimore.

What makes this restaurant even more extraordinary is that the chef, Seamus Mullen, and I share something in common besides an appreciation of delectable Spanish cuisine: rheumatoid arthritis.  That's right, folks- one of New York's best chefs is laced with the same inconvenient disease as the rest of us.

I first discovered this when I was being filmed for WebMD's RA TV series, My Life with RA.  The production crew I spent two days with had just finished filming the Cooking with RA series for RA TV featuring none other than Chef Seamus Mullen, and imagine my surprise when I found out the chef they kept talking about was the chef of Boqueria!

Clearly, this is a chef who doesn't let his RA come between him and his chorizo. Now, we all get the chance to root for one of our own because for the past few weeks, Chef Mullen has been duking it out on the Food Network's The Next Iron Chef America.  He's kicking some pretty good butt so far, and I for one believe he can take it all the way to the finish.  Having feasted on his food at Boqueria, there is no doubt he's got the culinary talent and the chops; knowing what he's had to overcome to get this far makes his success even sweeter.

The fact that he has RA hasn't been mentioned on the show, at least not yet. One could argue that this is a wasted opportunity given RA's sad, sad public profile, but I also think it's important that he isn't being singled out because of RA. This show is about the cooking and the competition, not the chronic disease. 

You can tune in to cheer for Chef Mullen Sunday nights at 9pm EST on the Food Network.  You can also find his Cooking with RA series and find out more about his struggle with RA on Web MD's RA TV.

Comments

[millicent]

I plan to tune in & cheer for Seamus...& his victory over RA!!

[ValleyWriter]

Wow - I just happened to catch this show tonight and then see your post. Very cool! I'll be tuning in more to cheer him on!

[Catherine]

holy moly that is the cutest freaking dress i've ever seen! love the bag with it!

[Hilary]

Great post. I would have never known about the chef's RA, or yours, either! RAWarrior sent me here, since I have RA too. Congrats on your move and having a good attitude!

[Becky]

Hey, thanks for the info on Chef Mullen. I will check out the Iron Chef show. I had not been watching it lately. By the way super cute picture of you.

[Helen]

I'll have to watch out for that show!

(Also, I looooooove that dress!)

[liz]

How cool! I'll have to plan a trip to NYC to eat :)

[Pat Steer (Gaelen)]

Wow - not only am I a huge fan of reality cooking shows, but Chef Mullen is one of my favorites on the current season of Next Iron Chef.
Mullen has mad knife skills; clearly he's following his passion in spite of any roadblocks his RA may throw his way. Cheering for him, cheering for both of you. And you're rocking that dress, too, btw!

[sara]

Gaelen: Thanks! I know, he's such a great chef. I'm lucky I know that from personally experiencing his food. Now he's in the final 3- but the RA is taking its toll. I hope he pulls through!

Liz- you really should. totally worth it!

Helen- thanks! Hope you can check it out.

Becky- thanks!

Hilary- glad you found me! Yeah, you wouldn't know from watching that Chef Mullen has RA, would you.

Cat- thanks!

Valley writer- yay!

[Pat Steer (Gaelen)]

tonight's episode (final three) looks like Seamus is in a great deal of pain - I know it was filmed weeks ago, but I'm thinking my strongest thoughts for him right now!

[sara]

Gaelen- I know!!!!!!! It is really hard to watch this episode. It breaks my heart a little because you can see the pain on his face more than anything, and I know what that is like- we all do. arg. damn RA!

[Lis]

I have RA too. I am in Culinary school. I find that the teachers are not treating me well bacuase of my RA. We had a fund raising dinner, They put me bussing after I told the teacher, Secretary the school Dr and disability services that I could not do it, I have RA. Because of that my hands are swollen and have developed lumps!! I just heard about Chef Mullen and RA.... It gives me some hope!