Standish913.com has been blessed to do an exclusive interview with...
"ELAINA RUTH"!
Let's get into some exclusive questions...
STANDISH: What is the first thing you ever remember cooking?
The first thing I remember cooking was pasta bolognese. I entered this dish into a cooking competition at the college that I was attending in the summer and won a scholarship!
STANDISH: Who is someone you looked up to as a child & still do today?
As a kid I looked up to the women in my family. My mom and her sister, Grandmother and her sisters.
STANDISH: What is something you hate doing in the kitchen?
I hate having to remind people that there is always something to do. I hate a lazy chef or line cook.
STANDISH: What's the most nerve racking part of being on Hell's Kitchen?
The most nerve racking part of HK was the dorms! No light switches, no clocks, and having to live with folks I didn't know was pretty annoying. Heavy snorers on this season 🤣
STANDISH: How is it working with Gordon Ramsay? Any good advice he's given you?
Chef Ramsey was so outstanding. He is tough but he has every right to be! When I get asked this question, I always chuckle because he reminds me of when I was a kid and got in trouble with my Grandfather (Chef I'm not calling you old if you hear this!!!!). What I mean is that, when I do something dumb that I knew better not to and Grandpa would yell at me/correct me, educate me and reassure me all in the same breath. That was Chef Ramsey! Also, he's a lot taller than I expected & I mentioned that on the yacht. Again on the yacht, I asked him at the dinner table "What advice would you give a Chef who is feeling stagnant in their career at this moment?" Chef goes, "If you are not married or have children, then you should be doing everything you want to and going everywhere and learning as much as you can! You have no limits so utilize them." I wasn't asking for a friend, I was asking for me! I took that advice and began my career in education and am now a high school Culinary Arts teacher.
STANDISH: Did you expect to land Hell's Kitchen?
If you're asking, did I expect to get on HK then never in my wildest dreams! It's still so surreal. Did I expect to be in cooking competitions? Absolutely, I'm extremely competitive. I'm a Leo , it's in my make up!!
STANDISH: What is your favorite food for take out? Why?
I love hot lemon pepper wings with extra blue cheese & curly fries or some fried fish. I'm from the South so I love a good piece of fried fish from the back of the fish markets.
STANDISH: Tell the readers your reoccurring kitchen nightmare…
Greens (collards, mustards, chard, etc) with stems included. So often do we strip greens off the stems & toss them. Show stems the same love as you do the leaves & serve them!
STANDISH: What do you listen to while you chef it up?
This one is striking. Anything from Beyonce to Slaughter to Prevail to UGK to Metallica. But not country music or R&B. We need to be crunk or raging!!
STANDISH: How many times a week does the walk-in cooler hear your screams?
Now, as a Chef Instructor? At least 12 times a week. These students will test your patience but I've always lacked in that area anyways, so it works out. 😂
STANDISH: If you could change one thing in the world today, what would that be?
The world needs more humanity, man. Put yourself in someone else's shoes! We all are unique but if you take the time and talk to someone and get to know them on a deeper than surface level, you'll see that we go through some of the same shit.
STANDISH: Anything else you'd like to include?
For those of you who are feeling stagnant in life/career, give yourself one more chance before giving up! It sounds cheesy but it saved my freaking life! I know it can save yours.
----
Thanks so much for your time! If you'd like an exclusive interview with Standish, please email: