On November 30, Restaurant Brokers, Robin and Eric Gagnon are joined by experts to discuss how celebrity chefs are changing the restaurant scene.  The show originally aired on Atlanta’s AM Talk 920 and Biz 1190AM.

The panel features Erica Magaril, casting director for Loud Television and Chef Abraham Salum, head chef and owner of Salum and Komali Restaurants. The guests along with the restaurant brokers discuss the evolution of reality television, glamorization of the chef life and the importance of media exposure in the culinary world.

Are you looking to be the next celebrity chef? Well, the restaurant brokers hear it straight from central casting that everyone is looking for their shot at fame.  Channels like Food Network have turned the food culture into Hollywood super-stardom. Learn why chefs today routinely hire public relations firms.  Chef Salum says the reasoning behind this phenomenon is that “everything is so media driven.”

Are you tired of seeing reality show after reality show? Have you had it with cooking shows and chef competitions? Casting director, Erica Magaril says reality TV is still growing as a segment and simply maturing beyond simple cooking shows to true entertainment.  Erica says reality TV, specifically cooking based shows are becoming less competition driven and more character driven.

Is there an added pressure for chefs to be masters in the kitchen and masters behind the microphone? Chef Abraham says yes while Erica Magaril also shares her experience as a casting director for Hell's Kitchen.  Learn why Erica says casting for cooking competition shows has nothing to do with food.

Well, what about the chefs who have no desire to be in the spotlight but want to showcase their cuisines?  Learn why food trends can help achieve that goal. How did New York's French nouveau style of cuisine transition in to comfort foods and BBQ? Tune in to find out of course!

The panel even tackles the topic of multiple restaurant locations. How do you share your brand with the world in multiple locations?  Chef Abraham says it’s all about good staffing. 

What comes next after your 15 minutes of fame?  According to Erica, it can lead to cookbook deals, talk shows and spin offs of the original concept.  

In the last segment, “Restaurant Reality”, restaurant brokers, Robin and Eric Gagnon share the story of a local celebrity chef with a very happy ending.  That may not always be the case however as chasing the next casting call could put your restaurant brand at risk.  For some, it is true that you should “be careful what [you] wish for.

Guests:

Chef Abraham Salum

Abraham Salum is the Chef and Owner of Salum and Komali Restaurants based in Dallas Texas.  Chef Abraham cooked at the Beard House in October 2011 and has appeared at international invitation cooking events in Punta Mita, Barcelona and Argentina.  He has been recognized by Esquire Magazine’s food critic as leading the trend toward authentic, contemporary Mexican cuisine in the U.S. He is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute.  Chef just returned from cooking a Day of the Dead celebration dinner at New York's James Beard House. The dinner was attended by 16 members of the New York culinary media, and they gave rave reviews.  Chef is a great example of one of those chefs forming an image around his name and working to get media for his restaurant and himself personally as a brand. 

Erica Magaril

Erica Magaril is a New York based Casting Director specializing in unscripted reality based television, digital media and commercials. Her credits include Hells Kitchen, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Spike TV's Ink Masters and Trading Spaces.  Erica has a focus in development and enjoys finding unique characters in niche markets and creating concepts for exciting new television projects. Erica is currently the Casting Producer for Loud Television, a division of Leftfield Pictures.  Erica has a focus in development and enjoys finding unique characters in niche markets and creating concepts for exciting new television projects.