Chef Chris Barnum-Dann Becomes Finalist in Discovery+ "The Globe" Food Competition Show
Last night, Chef Barnum-Dann competed on the latest episode of the new discovery+ food competition show “The Globe.”
The culinary competition featured four chefs cooking ingredients from a “surprise" cuisine of a major food city around the world as cityscapes from that destination displayed in the background. Hosted by Robert Irvine, the show introduces each cuisine through its ingredients.
Competing chefs make their dishes—the least successful dish in each round sending one chef home. On Saturday’s show, Barnum-Dann had to put his spin on the cuisines of Oaxaca City, Mexico, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, and New Orleans, Louisiana, US.
Under time constraints and cooking on the fly, he won against three other chefs.
He received recognition, a trip to Oaxaca and a chance to participate in the show's finale where he will compete to win a trip and a $25,000 check.
"It feels great, and very surreal,” Barnum-Dann said. "I've always loved cooking this way and feeding people surprising interpretations of ingredients, so this show was like a dream come true for me."
Things haven’t always been looking this good for him.
He struggled with depression during the pandemic, facing pressure to keep Localis open, his staff working, and his family cared for. His faith in God and his skills as a chef saved him.
“Closing the restaurant was not an option. I needed to take care of my family” he remembers thinking. His drive led him to continue offering fine dining, but in takeout form.
Then he received the opportunity of a lifetime.
“The Globe team called and asked me to interview as a contestant for their new show,” he said. Any money he might win will go back into the restaurant and also to employees who have continued to stand by him throughout the pandemic.
His advice for people wishing to be entrepreneurs and future great chefs?
“Keep to your vision and go for it.”