In New York City in 1993, a group of people got together: about half of them had experience in television production but knew very little about food or cooking; the other half were "foodies" but were clueless about television. Through trial, error, grit, and a lot of dirty dishes, they created the Television Food Network.
Elizabeth Pearson Garr, host/creator of The Experience Podcast, was one of the first employees of what was then known as TVFN. In this episode she shares personal stories--including actual journal entries from the time!--and details what it was like to be among the crew that patched together early shows while sitting on boards made of splinters, in a studio that didn't even have a kitchen. She recalls meeting and working with then-unknowns such as Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay and Mario Batali, as well as reveling in having legendary Julia Child come to the studio every Friday. Meanwhile, the anchor of the news show was simultaneously the First Lady of New York City--married to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani at the time--which provided extra excitement and drama.
It was an exhilarating, exhausting stew of scripts, cookbooks, long hours, kitchen gadgets, gala events, cramped editing suites, hard work and friendships.
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