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A Week in the Life of Richard
Early flights, cooking demos, and restaurant check-ins -- oh my!
Oct 25, 2012
Context -- it's not the easiest thing to grasp when watching a reality television show. A comment here, a look there, and all of a sudden, you are a jerk, or let's say, your wife is a villain... But as you watch Life After, it might help to know even a little more about the storyline, so here's my attempt to give you even more access into my life, in hopes, well, that some of you can lay off my wife a little bit... Ha!
SUNDAY
I woke up super early in New York City where I just spent the last few days cooking and talking about innovation and sustainability with the "Plastics Make it Possible" campaign at New York Food & Wine Festival. I shared a "good morning" text with my wife, and then gobbled down a pancake and put up a pic on Instagram (@richardblais). Then, I filmed some shopping at Chelsea Market and on the Highline. After that, I went for a quick 10K run and checked in on my Trail Blais team who were cooking at the Grand Tasting Hall. Immediately from there, I shot over to the Dream Hotel to cook a brunch sponsored by Whole Foods Market with another part of my travel team. I did a few interviews, said "hey" to my buddy Dale Talde across the street, met with my manager, publicist, literary agent, publisher, and took about 200 pictures with supporters! Then, off to the airport. Oh, and I bought a Yankees cap and had a truly horrific airport dining experience as well. I got back to Atlanta well after the kids went to bed, watched an episode of Homeland, with Jazmin, and went to bed.
MONDAY
Riley woke up five times in the middle of the night. And because I'm a light sleeper, I fielded all five times. She was having a nightmare of some sort about dolphins and witches -- who knows. She pooped, I wiped. And I sang her "Take me out to the ball game" five times. The morning was as chaotic as it usually is, with the kids being kids, planting Cheerios mine fields on the kitchen floor, and that sort of thing. Jazmin and I "discussed" the fact that my next flight left Tuesday at 6:30 a.m. for a gig I had in Cincinnati on Wednesday. Someone (read: me) flubbed the flight time as I don't usually fly that early the day prior to an event. She was upset, and rightfully so. Monday was my only possible defined day off this week, so I intentionally shirked all other professional responsibilities except answering emails, texts, and tweets of course.
I also wish the show was just u and Fabio.
I worry about You and Fabio on the fast track. How do u really get to enjoy anything. Love u both!
Richard, Watching four chefs is a bit too much. I wish that Bravo would focus their attention on you and Fabio, the other two are just plain and boring. Wish you lots of luck!!!
I was planning to jokingly write you about choosing a gift for your wife, being a wife and mother myself, but after reading your blog I just want to say "slow down".
Richard, what in the hell has happened to you? If this is what fame does to a person, I say it's not worth it. Here's an observation from someone who doesn't know you and only sees you through the eyes of a reality tv show (so maybe I'm way off base, but) you seem miserable! Season 4 Richard Blais seemed happy and fun and playful and professional. TCAS Richard Blais was insufferable and I'm afraid I feel the same about LATC. Despite winning All Stars and achieving this so called fame, you seem anxious, jealous and unhappy. What good is all the money and notoriety if it makes you and your family unhappy? There are more important things in life than traveling to a billion places each week and rubbing elbows with Sean Penn. It's sad to see such a decent guy turn in to a needy, bottomless pit. Get off the fame train my friend. It's a train to nowhere. Wishing you the best.
Don't try to play Superman. I get that you're excited and are doing what you feel is best for you and your family. Don't fear that you will lose momentum by taking a time out. It will only make you stronger! Don't miss out on the best of times with your family...they grow too damn fast.
Sounds like you're gone as much as a military man. It takes a very special woman to tend to the home fires while you are away., and it seems like you appreciate everything your wife does. Good for you, enjoy building your future together, just make sure you keep taking those time out moments with the fam.
you need to make time for your wife and daughters or all your hard work will be for nothing. Your a smart guy, figure it out.
I don't know how you do it, Chef. I'm exhausted just from reading about your week. Thank you for fitting this show in, as I love watching it. You and Fabio have always been my favorites and getting to watch more of you both is a joy!
Let me start by saying I'm a huge fan as in I cried when you won Top Chef: All Stars (a bit ridiculous yes but I really wanted you to win). Its not really my style to comment on the personal life of someone I don't even know but I digress. Reading this made me exhausted. The thought of doing all that you do in the course of one week is insane. But your post also made me really sad. Of course it's great that you've achieved the success you've dreamed of and you're able to provide more than enough for your family, but it sounds like you need to learn to say no every so often. You don't want to wake up one day seeing you've accomplished so many things and yet you didn't devote enough time to the simple things that you hold so dear: your family. They're invaluable (as you know) and the time you spend with them is precious as is the time you devote to your passion of cooking. But the balance between the two is key. I think the public will always be here to eat your food and support you as fans regardless of how many events you participate in. So maybe it wouldn't hurt to slow down. You'll thank yourself for it later.
Best of luck!
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