Last month I wrote about meeting Chef Christina Machamer of the Fox TV show Hell’s Kitchen, who *was* working at a great little restaurant in St. Louis.

Last night was the season finale, where (of course) they announced the winner. Christina was up against a “seasoned” veteran in the kitchen, Lou Petrozza.  Back and forth it went, with each competitor getting little advantages, then losing them.  (Great editing by Fox, no doubt.)

It had me hooked in for a full hour watching Reality TV!

Anyway, I knew immediately after meeting Christina in St. Louis that she had that *it* factor, and it seems I’m not the only one, because Gordon Ramsay saw it too.  He just gave her the title of executive chef in hew new restaurant, saying:

“I saw something in her that is quite special. She had the best potential… and in my business, I think long term. I definitely, definitely made the right choice.”

A big congratulations to Christina, who’s soon to be the newest resident of L.A.  Come on down, kid.  We’re all waiting for ya.

I spent the past weekend in St. Louis for Bob Baker’s Indie Buzz Bootcamp and, since I was in town, couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a meal cooked by Christina Machamer, my favorite chef from Season 3 of Hell’s Kitchen on Fox.

(Gotta admit, my producer Mandi and I are huge fans of Hell’s Kitchen.  We don’t watch a lot of reality TV, but this one has us hooked in by the eggs.  How timely too — since she just became a finalist with just two shows left.  She’s our pick to win it all.  But I digress…)

I took my buddy Charlie Cheney (from Indie Band Manager fame), and we drove down to one of St. Louis’ finest restaurants, Revival, where Chef Christina chefs.  I gotta tell ya — this place was classy.  It’s set in an old brick building that used to be a speakeasy back in the days of prohibition.  The days when St. Louis was a main watering hole along the Mississippi River, and gas cost $0.03 per gallon.  There is an amazing back patio that’s landscaped and uplit to set the mood just right.  You’d think you were in the jungle (so long as you can ignore the sound of the train 20 yards behind said jungle.)

Christina came out and introduced herself and told us about the food, fully detailing the ins and outs of her menu and highlighting her signature scallops and the house special hushpuppies.  (Yes, they serve hushpuppies in a fine dining restaurant.  And they’re awesome.)

Anyhoo, I normally don’t like scallops, but the way she described them sounded too good to pass up.  Glad I took a chance because they were SO amazing.  I mean, I’m not a food critic or anything, but those scallops made me want to start.  I’m telling you, the girl has talent.  Gordon Ramsey would be proud.

Christina was a delight to talk to.  She came back out after the shift and had a glass of wine with us.  We talked it up for an hour or more about life, music, cooking, travel, sudden fame, and Gordon Ramsey’s new restaurant in L.A.

I was struck by how friendly and down-to-earth she was, even while she’s on top of the [Fox Reality TV] world.  My new friend Christina — an amazing chef and a very cool girl.  She’ll go far.

I don’t normally post stuff like this, but for me, amidst the chaos of living in L.A. and traveling almost every week, living life in the fast lane, being a busybody, juggling a day job and a night career, dealing with roommates and agents and lawyers, and doing whatever it takes to make this CD the best it can be, it’s important to put it all into perspective once in a while.

This video brought a tear to my eye. Watch it — it’s a quick 11 minutes out of your day, but worth every minute.

Just got this on my Facebook page from a Marine named Anthony stationed in Iraq and had to share it.

I get caught up in my own little world sometimes, and it’s incredibly refreshing to hear that somewhere on the other side of the planet, all this work I’ve been doing on my music, and in the studio, on the business and on the website really matters to someone, even in the midst of chaos and terrorism.

“Hey came across your website and think you’re awesome. I’m going to be doing the same thing actually… But I’m taking a bit of a different path from you. I’m studying heavy into the business side of things and I realize now why you didn’t really care on 365 day whether you got signed…

I’m currently in Iraq, and I’m setting up a lot of contacts and resources for when I get back. I saw your story and I was like, “That is what I want to do with my life!” I’m coming into it as a business man first and a musician second because music is my passion and i would like to do just that, but in order for my goals to succeed I’m going to have to learn the independent business of things…

Anyway thanks for the inspiration man. I will keep you updated.
– A. Frank
PS. Iraq and my marines say hi… LOL”

Thanks for the letter, Anthony. And thank you for your service, from one veteran to another. Shout out to you and your boys in Iraq. Be careful out there, man.

Preview audio track (Jazz guitar version)

Status: Unreleased

How I wish that I could come to talk to you
If only I knew what to say
And I’m not ashamed to tell ya’ I’ve been stumbling around
tryin’ to think of something more profound than cliché

So maybe I’ll concede
That you’re out — just out — of my reach
But on second glance, it’s worth a chance
But I’m holding back to make my advance

Tell me, what am I you waiting for
‘Cause you’re the girl I’ve been aching for
Maybe you could love someone like me
But perfect as you seem to be
I still believe you’re OUT OF MY LEAGUE

Now I don’t know if I should run in this race
Or turn around and save faceand just go home
Wonder if you see that I’mat a fork in this road
Searching for a sign to show me which way to go

Maybe it’s time to concede
That you’re out — just out — of my reach
But there’s no reason why I shouldn’t try
Got nothing to lose but my pride

Tell me, what am I you waiting for
‘Cause you’re the girl I’ve been aching for
Maybe you could love someone like me
But perfect as you seem to be
I still believe you’re OUT OF MY LEAGUE

Then you looked over and you grinned
And I threw caution to the wind
Cause I was on the borderline
All I needed was a sign

Tell me, what am I you waiting for
‘Cause you’re the girl I’ve been aching for
You say you could love someone like me
And perfect as we just might be
I don’t believe you’re OUT OF MY LEAGUE

Lyrics and music © 2008 Nick Daugherty Music (ASCAP)