Herman and the Rest

Lotje Deelman was the editor-in-chief of ELLE Eten, has been working for Allerhande for almost 15 years, and worked behind the scenes on television programs such as MasterChef, de Worsten van Babel On Tour and De Nieuwe Lekkerbek. She ate pig’s foot with Anthony Bourdain and flirted with Gordon Ramsay in his Aston Martin. Lotje is the (co-)author of more than ten cookbooks and, in her kitchen in the Drenthe countryside, is never too hesitant to set something on fire. On FavorFlav, Lotje shares what keeps her busy every week. This time: what it’s really like to make television with Herman den Blijker.

Where’s Herman? Can someone get Herman? Watch out, Lotje, you’re walking through the shot. No, that’s changed—we’re doing the butcher first now and then explaining the assignment. Fine, but can someone get Herman for a moment? He’s in the kitchen chatting away with the butcher. How can that be? That butcher doesn’t speak a word of English. Meat—they’re talking meat to each other. You know what he’s like, the chef. Have you tasted that sausage, by the way? I think it’s the best sausage I’ve ever eaten. Yes, great. Great that you like sausage. But can someone get Herman now?

Parsley

Is there a tablecloth or something somewhere to throw over the ingredients so they can’t see them, or does that not matter? You’re walking through the shot, Lotje. They didn’t have fresh parsley, so I brought dried parsley instead, in those little jars. You’re joking. No tablecloth. A sheet? That’ll do too. Can someone go and get parsley right now? Who has the keys to the bus? So you said dried? What does that look like? I’ll go in a minute, calm down. Oh. Okay. Now. I’m going. What does parsley look like? But wouldn’t it be better to get fresh?

Cool

What are we eating tonight? Not pasta again, please. We’re in Italy, idiot, of course we are. You really can’t stand here, Lotje—you’ll be in the shot in a moment. Have you seen those copper pans in that kitchen? So cool. Cool, did you really just say cool? The contestants are really angry, by the way. No, that lady is the owner of this castle. Not the cleaner. Are there any bottles of water somewhere? Does the cleaner need to be mic’d up too? The parsley is in the kitchen. Have you tasted those raw prawns? He doesn’t like fish, chef, you know that. Whaaat? You can’t be serious. Herman? He’s chatting with that pasta lady. Ice, I need ice. Now.

That’s what you think

Is the wood-fired oven hot enough? Can we turn that on now, then? It’s going to rain soon. Who has seen my phone charger? You really can’t do that, guys—they obviously understand that. Can someone tell that man to keep moving? He’s in the shot. The contestants are really happy, by the way. Those truffles—do you have them? They were just here. Seriously. I have the iron, but I can’t find a socket. That woman’s hair. Really. That’s just not possible. Are you going to tell that joke again? Have you tasted the spaghetti with sea urchin? In-sane. Seriously. That’s what you think, yes. I don’t like fish. That’s fish, isn’t it, sea urchin? Chef?

Gas, please

It’s going to be high tide soon, isn’t it? Yes, you just said that too. I’m doing my best. I know, mate. I know. What an amazing location this is. Have you seen those tomatoes? Will all those pans fit in one suitcase? No induction. Gas, please. What time are we flying? Really? Why so early? Or do you want to wear my sweater when we get on that boat? No, the ones on the corner—they had the best ones there. You need to hurry, it’s about to close. Can someone get Herman for a moment? He’s gone into the kitchen with that cook. So cool, man, those courgette flowers. Are you having a good time, Lotje?