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Monday, June 23, 2008

Dallas chef Gilbert Garza defends wife, Next Food Network Star contestant Lisa Garza

By Teresa Gubbins

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Lisa Garza gets her fashionable togs from vintage stores and customers.

Lisa Garza gets her fashionable togs from vintage stores and customers.

DALLAS — Lisa Garza, co-owner of Dallas restaurant Suze, is the latest local to step into the frying pan of reality TV, as a contestant on The Next Food Network Star, which just completed Episode Four.

Though Garza has shown herself to be a capable contestant and a viable candidate to win, she's also been ruffled (revealed on her post-show blogging on D Magazine/Frontburner) by questions about her skills as a chef and her tendency to wear expensive designer clothes.

Calling Pegasus News to chivalrously defend his wife was chef-husband Gilbert Garza. Take it away, Gilbert:

I just want to dispel some of the misimpressions that are out there. First of all, I think it’s completely unfair that she’s being characterized as someone that doesn’t have cooking chops. I have first hand knowledge that she is very adept -- better than most of the cooks in restaurant kitchens. Despite the fact that she’s appearing in this show mostly in nice clothes, most of her clothes come from vintage shops and/or gifts from retailers as a result of jobs well done. We don't have the financial means to afford the type of look that everybody seems to have decided that Lisa can afford. It's not something within our means.

I think she'd welcome any comers in any type of relative challenge in the kitchen that might feel confident to step up and face a female. I'm supremely confident she would prevail. I can say that with all honesty and not the slightest bit of bias, other than I am her husband. I’ve seen her work.

One of the reasons she’s doing well on that show, despite the fact the she’s being characterized in certain ways, is that she DOES have the cooking shops. I can't attest to the parameters of the show -- whether they say, 'Make the best baloney sandwich' or whatever. But there's a certain insight and prowess required to being able to handle putting together things in a short amount of time, as they are asked to do on those shows.

From a critical perspective, it’s clear that some of the other characters on the show are one-dimensional. You see a thematic response to a lot of the same things they do. She is far more knowledgeable and skilled than most of the competitors in there. I know there are some [contestants] that actually do work in kitchens on a daily basis. What their positions are, it's hard to say. Lisa orchestrates and runs a specific type of catering where she deals with intense demands. One of the reasons she’s performing so well on these cooking challenges, you get orders for 15 people who order, say, a sushi style lunch, she puts together food that comes in at 10 p.m. and it's delivered at noon next day. She has to make upwards of 200 individual items that need to be packaged, labeled, bagged, and delivered to these people. That’s why she’s so good. She's got a tremendous flavor profile and fabulous palate.

Has she spent time outside catering and on the line? It’s not necessary. I work in the kitchen. I'm married to the woman, we share the restaurant together, but closeness is one thing. I know that Kent and Tracy Rathbun are in same business but I’d hardly imagine seeing them working fused at the hip.

I understand on a broad perspective the workings of the media. I understand the need to interpret or discuss relevant topics especially when you’re talking about a major metro area like Dallas and have someone from Dallas and it’s news. It needs to be discussed. I just wanted to take the opportunity to put my voice out there. I felt compelled to step up and dispel a few of the unknowns about Lisa. It’s a very difficult proposition to understand the dynamic of an individual if you’ve never spent a significant amount of time with them. I know more about her than practically anybody, especially when it comes to her skill level, her prowess in kitchen, her flavor profile, and her ability to do things on a quick basis. If there’s an authority, I’m him. On top of that, she is my wife, she is associated with the restaurant, so it's obviously my obligation.

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Comments

Scott Doyle

Scott Doyle Verified

I think she'd welcome any comers in any type of relative challenge in the kitchen that might feel confident to step up and face a female.

I was going to make an overly chauvinist remark on this one, but I'll refrain and let the wheels in your heads fill in the blanks.

By the way, just last night I saw a gentleman on my softball team open the passenger-side car door for his g/f. What other stuff did knights do for ladies?

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

twisteddog

twisteddog Anonymous

"Impale" them on their "swords."

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

jtmbls

jtmbls Anonymous

If only there were more men like Mr. Garza. Those last three sentences alone made me dizzy.

twisted - single much?

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Fezziwig

Fezziwig Anonymous

They seem like a well-matched pair.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Doyle

Scott Doyle Verified

No, seriously - what's considered chivalrous these days?

Also, isn't that kind of a double standard since women expect equality? I open doors, carry stuff, etc because it's nice...but should it be expected? I.e. if I'm in a relationship and I don't make it a point to sleep on the side of the bed closest to the door, is that a sign that I'm not actively trying to protect my lady?

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

twisteddog

twisteddog Anonymous

Find a lady who likes to "slay the dragon" and you're all set.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

jtmbls

jtmbls Anonymous

Yes. Even more so in this day and age because it is so very rare. As we evolve, people seem more and more confused as to their relationship roles pertaining to their gender. We see the lines blur so frequently that it is hard to know who is supposed to do what anymore. IMO, if you treat a woman like a lady, like she is something special – to be cherished and protected (pull out her chair, catch yourself before you cuss in front of her, and yes, sleep by the door, etc.) you’re more than likely going to be rewarded in a magnitude of ways for all of your glorious testosterone driven efforts, and your blunders more easily forgiven. Don’t be dissuaded if she seems wigged out by this initially. As I said, it is very rare to find a man who is not afraid to be noble. Sadly, most women just aren’t used to it.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Johnyalamo2000 Anonymous

These shows are edited to create friction and drama. 'Reality' is a misnomer but you can't call reality shows 'Lets shoot everything around random people then cut, paste, and edit some stuff together for a 30 minute show so that we dont't have much production costs' shows. Perhaps 'Editing Shows' would be more appropriate. Mr. Garza shouldn't worry. The smarter viewer knows that they are leaving allot of her character out on purpose. Probably for some editing reason.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Brett Hoerner

Brett Hoerner Staff

"... catch yourself before you cuss in front of her ..."

Too hard, I quit.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Doyle

Scott Doyle Verified

What if the side of the bed closest to the door isn't the closest to my gun? =p

I don't mind most things considered chivalrous, but pulling out her chair always seemed extreme. That, and her sitting in the car after I've parked waiting for me to open her door. Being courteous is one thing, expected behavior is another. In a day when women are still fighting for equality, seems like a double standard from where I'm sitting.

As for sticking up for a lady, sometimes you gotta let 'em fight their own battles imo. Nothing wrong with backing her -ahem-, but this implies she couldn't say these things herself. Leaves a negative impression regardless of good intentions.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

jtmbls

jtmbls Anonymous

Well, I'm not sure what sort of person would sit and wait in the car for you to let her out...Maybe one with a lot of patience? But if you can't even pull out a chair for a lady...Especially when 90% of the time the waiter will beat you to it...That's just lame Doyle.

So you think that Mr. Garza's comments left a negative impression? Splain.

Brett - So will she! :-)

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Doyle

Scott Doyle Verified

Not saying I'm above it. Just saying it's ridiculous (yes, worthy of ridicule) considering if I pulled a chair out for a coworker at a business lunch, it may not be kosher. Male employees answering to female bosses are particularly peculiar in this light.

Not much to 'splain on the impression - seems he stepped up to the plate because she couldn't or wouldn't. She's on the show by her own accord; should she not speak for herself if it needs to be done?

For example: Calling Pegasus News to chivalrously defend his wife was chef-husband Gilbert Garza. Implies weakness, imo.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

gwatel Anonymous

Lisa is a star, always has been, always will be. I am glad to see that she is getting the exposure she deserves. And since everyone seems to have an opinion, I can say that she is obviously a great personality, because everyone is talking about her.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

jtmbls

jtmbls Anonymous

I was speaking purely in romantic terms. It could be quite awkward for everyone involved if you were to behave in a chivalrous manner toward a coworker or boss. You wouldn’t really want them to see you in that context would you?

I don’t know. Maybe his reaction is a little over the top but my initial impression was that it was very touching. I have never seen the show but I must assume that simply by being there she is not a complete buffoon and could, if necessary, defend herself. But it’s kind of nice that she didn’t have to. I thought it was cool to see that love and loyalty do exist outside of a fiction book. And perhaps it takes a certain amount of weakness, as you call it, to have that sort of love. If so, what’s wrong with that?

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

twisteddog

twisteddog Anonymous

Next up: Why doesn't your wife like to be called "Mommy."

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

DC

DC Anonymous

It's an obligation. So romantic.

Next up, "Why she prefers Uncle to Daddy."

Sort of Cro-Magnon with the sloping forehead and whatnot, but so be it. Geico leveraged the caveman thing in to a show, so why not another?

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

jtmbls

jtmbls Anonymous

Yeah, I knew I was going to get nailed for this one. And not in a good way.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Billusa99

Billusa99 Anonymous

Young Japanese women are so cool.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

bobdon000

bobdon000 Anonymous

Lisa Garza looks like an inside bet to win NFN because the competition is so lame, NOT because she is so skilled in the kitchen.

I yearn for the good ole days when guys defended their spouses honor with fistacuffs (or worse), not blogging.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

12ozfred

12ozfred Anonymous

"Despite the fact that she’s appearing in this show mostly in nice clothes, most of her clothes come from vintage shops and/or gifts from retailers as a result of jobs well done"

Where did old fashion tipping go? Next time I go out ot a restaurant I will make sure to leave a shirt in place of money.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Doyle

Scott Doyle Verified

Leave your under-shirt if it's bad service.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

SugarCreek2 Anonymous

I love Lisa's style. She makes be proud to be from Texas! And as far as her husband is concerned, she really lucked out with a "stand up guy". Does he have a brother? Brenda

4 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

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