The Next Del Real Star

Last month I posted about a recipe challenge I entered for Del Real Foods. Well, I didn’t win…but the folks at Del Real liked two of my recipes enough to invite me on an all-expense paid trip to LA to film me preparing them. AWESOME!!

I got the news that I was chosen to go about two weeks before I was to depart and I was sworn to secrecy pretty much until the day I left. My whirlwind trip was last week and to say it was the chance of a lifetime would be an understatement.

I had some pretty major anxiety and reservations about leaving my sweet girl, Jax, home alone with daddy (yes, I know she would have been fine) but at the last minute the hubs surprised me and said they were going to accompany on the trip. So the next morning we headed to LaLa Land as a family.

The evening of our arrival Jax and daddy wandered the streets of Hollywood together while I met a fellow blogger, one of the producers and a Del Real spokesperson for dinner. It was casual meet-and-greet to brief us on the filming schedule and to answer any questions we had.

Jax and daddy checking out the amazing grounds of the mansion where I filmed.

On the day of filming Tim and Jax came along to drop me off and check out the location, a hill-top mansion in Hollywood with a breathtaking view of the shimmering city. I never once felt nervous about being on camera, I was confident in my recipes and happy that my family would be there waiting for me when I wrapped. But all of that changed when I arrived on set and saw what a HUGE production it was.

This view. Wow.

The kitchen glowed with bright lights that radiated heat throughout the house. There was an area set-up with a back-drop and props for the blogger’s portraits. Another area was set up for beauty shots of the food we prepared. There was a room designated for hair and make-up and there were cases, boxes, cords and lights, lights, lights all over. People were everywhere – producers, directors, cameramen, sound men, culinary producer, food stylist, make-up artist, assistants and the PR/marketing team from Del Real.

I was overwhelmed and all that confidence I’d been feeling was replaced by the desire to throw my hands up and scream:

“I’m not worthy!”

“I’m out of my element!”

“I want to go home!”

I wanted to scoop up Jax, grab Tim’s hand and run – I mean, who did I think I could fool?

Instead, I bit my tongue, fought the tears of insecurity and kissed Jax and Tim goodbye. I really wanted them to stay but the antics of a three year-old while mommy was filmed would only equate to disaster. So off they went to Universal Studios while I was whisked away to hair and make-up.

Ready for my close-up.

Then it was time for my portrait to be taken. I was supposed to have a life-size cactus prop to represent my Arizona roots but it didn’t arrive – booo. After portraits I went directly to the kitchen set to start cooking and filming.

This is when the real fear kicked in.

The director directed me, the culinary producer briefed me, the sound guy mic’d me. The room was sweltering. My make-up was melting off my face. My knees were shaking. And my head was swimming. This all must have shown because someone from the crew handed me a shot of rum which I gladly pounded. Then I was all smiles. And ready.

My Three Bean Barbacoa Chili. Photo taken from Del Real’s Facebook page.

The first round of filming was all about the food and basically they just filmed my hands going through the motions while I explained each step of the recipe. We started with my Three Bean Barbacoa Chili. Miraculously, I did that first shot in one solid take. The crew was impressed. And so was I. My food was hustled away to be styled and photographed for stills and I went back to hair and make-up to cool down and be touched up.

I felt giddy.

Next, I had to cook the same recipe only this time they were filming me from the waist up and I would be interacting with the Del Real spokesperson. The take was more like a cooking show and would be later edited together with the first round to make the entire cohesive segment.

I found it more difficult the second round. The spokesperson had a hard time with my name and my blog name and introduced me as “Angela from Hey Baby”, instead of Angel from Yay Baby! Haha. That gave everyone on set a good chuckle. And it gave me the sillies – I in turn messed up the name of my dish, calling it “Three Billy Chili.”  Another round of laughs. Third take we both nailed it. Done in five minutes.

Back to hair and make-up to cool down and rest. And wait for the kitchen to be re-set for my next set of takes for my second recipe – Pollo Fundidio Wontons with Spicy Queso Dip.

My Pollo Fundido Wontons with Spicy Queso Dipping Sauce. Photo taken from Del Real’s Facebook page.

Everyone was tired from filming bloggers all week and I was the last one to go. I was told the wontons were a recipe they had dreaded because it was essentially two recipes and had many more steps than dumping ingredients into a pot like my chili recipe. I was again briefed on each step and every move they wanted me to make. Of course my head was swimming — enter crewman with a shot of booze to calm my nerves.

On set with Liz C. from Del Real Foods. Boy, do I look thrilled. Photo taken from Del Real’s Facebook page.

I got the first shot of the first part of my recipe done in one take again. I beamed. Then came the second part of the recipe and I flubbed – I kept talking while I whisked the cheese sauce which drowned out my voice. Every time I was cut I grew a little more frustrated. It was all downhill from there. Five takes later I got it. And the director dubbed me “One-Take Sally.”  If I messed up the first take I’d most definitely mess up the second and third too. Haha. So no pressure there to get the final shots done in one take.

Which I didn’t do.

Between the spokesperson again fumbling my blog’s name and my own hiccups we got it down after four takes. Then it was a wrap and everyone swooped in to taste my yummy won tons and queso.

The spectrum of emotions I’d felt all day — anxiety, fear, giddiness and frustration culminated into one of intense pride. And I mean PRIDE!!!

I’d done it. I created four recipes on my own and two were so good they landed me such an incredible opportunity. I’d just wrapped up filming those two recipes for Del Real and despite a few minor flubs I rocked it.

I’ve never been a particularly modest person but on this I will full-on brag. Yay Me! 

A wrap-up cocktail enjoyed with a view.

Next to getting married and giving birth (to the awesomest kid on the planet) this ranks as one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was fun and exciting and will hopefully bring more fun and excitement.

Since I had my brush with fame in Hollywood it’s only fitting I go through my list of thank you’s. Here it goes:

Thank you to the make-up artist, Mary, who made me look and feel gorgeous giving me that confidence boost I needed. Thank you to Miguel for making me laugh all day and having that rum on standby for me. Thank you to Marcos for being direct and firm but also understanding and kind. Thank you to Liz C. for your easygoing attitude and for your subtle cues when we were on camera. Thank you to Del Real Foods for choosing my recipes. Thank you to everyone else who was there that day, working to make me and my food look amazing! And lastly thank you to the entire Stickydocs crew for making this all happen – I’m open next year if you want to do this with me again!

Oh, and I want to congratulate Ranae from The Sunday Funday for your win! It was great to get to know you and I hope we meet again.

Two awesome bloggers.

Stay tuned to see the segments. Yikes. I am more nervous to see those than I was filming them.