When Stretch takes the stage at the Midland for the Guy Fieri Roadshow tonight (tickets are still available), it will be as the guest chef who is ready to demonstrate that local cuisine rocks as hard as the headliner.
"The difference between rock and roll bands and us is that rock n' roll
bands don't do a show every night," says Stretch, the owner of Grinders and Grinders West, who has spent the last three weeks touring with Fieri as part of the traveling live food show.
"This is food meets performance art. It's not just a cooking class. In Guy's terminology this is a food-a-palooza," says Stretch.
A DJ blasts rock n' roll from an orange shag-covered DJ booth as Australian flair bartender Hayden "Woody" Wood does a series of dazzling bottle tricks. Throw in some stories from Fieri and Stretch, as well as the monster margarita machine built by Stretch (pictured above) and you've got the ingredients for a high-energy evening.
"If we did this in the dark, it would be useless. This is not just
food, it's about interaction. Art, food and culture transcends
differences," says Stretch.
Stretch says the process is similar to a football game. The crew meets before each show to break down how the previous set went and what they might try on the next crowd. Tonight, the next crowd is right here, and Stretch is excited to be the guest chef who opens the show with a cooking demonstration.
"Kansas City is my hometown. I love the people, the food, and the atmosphere. I believe that Kansas City has something to show the world," he says.
When Fat City asks if he'd be willing to share what he has planned, he demurs, saying people will just have to come out to the show to find out. But if you can't make it to the Midland, you might have another option.
"Hopefully we're having the after party at Grinders and everyone is invited," says Stretch.
[Image courtesy of Stretch]
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Huh, I was fairly convinced that Stretch and Guy Fieri would never be seen in the same room together.
$45 to watch these 2 cook? Here's a better idea: pick your favorite restaurant, invite a friend and for $90 you can enjoy a nice meal, drinks, dessert, and the kitchen will probably let you take a peek if you ask nicely. Not to mention, you support local hard-working folks. Or, spend $90 and get nothing but the satisfaction that you watched 2 people cook something you didn't get to eat....
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