every saturday. it feels so surreal.

9/29. my best friend Eileen plans dinner for my birthday at The Gorbals (Top Chef season 2 winner Ilan Hall’s restaurant). The entire time during dinner I kept debating with myself whether or not I should go try to talk to Ilan. He was actually on the line, cooking our food. Finally, after a drink and my birthday shot of bourbon our server gave me, I mustered the courage to ask our server if I could buy Ilan a beer. Not only does he hand deliver a beer to me and one for himself, he pulls up a chair and sit next to me at the edge of our table.

But of course I get starstruck. But the alcohol in my made me a little more conversational (when I met some Mr. Shuester from Glee, I wish I had more courage than just saying “I ditched class to be here.”) I asked him the questions I’m sure he gets all the time. How was your Top Chef experience? Who do you still keep in touch with? Then I asked him about his trip to the Philippines. And then I proceed to ask how he became a chef, and what I should do.

Ilan: Culinary School isn’t really worth it. I’d say the best thing you can do is just travel and work. Have you ever worked in a kitchen before? Me: No… Ilan: Work for me.

After asking him at least five times whether or not he was serious, he said “You have 7 witnesses.” Come at 2. Wear comfortable shoes. And I might yell at you.

I walk outside to call a friend of mine, another huge Ilan fan, and told her all about it. I walked back in and just before I left, I said goodbye to Ilan and also met Mike from his season. He yells to his kitchen staff, “Hey everyone, this is Sabel. She’ll be helping us out next week.”

I waited a week and a half in anticipation.