Winner of Fox Televisions"
'HELL'S KITCHEN'
by Ginger Coyote
Chef Michael Wray with wife LolaI was lucky enough to have the chance to catch up with Chef Michael Wray winner of Fox Television’s “Hell’s Kitchen”. Michael is a way cool guy who loves his wife Lola and is ecstatic over his victory. Since winning in October of 2004 he has not changed his attitude or lifestyle. No mansion in the Hollywood Hills or a Porsche. He lives in a modest apartment and drives a black pickup truck, good for getting to Burning Man.
He went into the competition with a goal to win. He wanted to be able to fulfill his dreams of starting a family and to be a respected Chef with his own Restaurant. He played the game with skill and integrity. We at Punk Globe applaud his ethics and talent. The Grand Finale show of “Hell’s Kitchen” rated #7 in the Nielson Ratings. Not to shabby. The show was a hit! The following interview took place in the courtyard of Michael and Lola’s Hollywood apartment.
1-Punk Globe: Congratulations on your victory Chef Michael on Hell’s Kitchen. You rawked! Can you give the Punk Globe readers some background on yourself?
Chef Michael: When I was young going to school, I swear to God, there were only two or three punks and skaters in the small town in Colorado where I came from. My hometown has about 100 people in it. We were always looked down upon. So as soon as I turned 16 I moved out of the house, dropped out of high school and got a job washing dishes in a restaurant. The Chef would come up, he would have some punk rock playing and he would put some knives in my hands, here’s a joint. We would be listening to Operation Ivy. I smoked cigarettes and worked really hard, worked late and I was hooked every since then about being in the kitchen.
2-Punk Globe: So you have been working in the kitchen since you were 16 years old? That is amazing! But when one finds their passion- there is no stopping you.
Chef Michael: Yeah I dropped out of school when I was 16, I had ADD….. a Mohawk and rode a Skateboard. People didn’t like that; I was so shunned upon in that small town. I knew I had to get the fuck out of there and live in the city. My advice to anyone who is young and in a similar situation as I was in. "NEVER GIVE UP YOUR DREAM.... YOU CAN AND WILL MAKE IT.. LOOK AT ME, I AM PROOF OF THAT!"
3-Punk Globe: And this was in the 90’s right? Just shows how narrow-minded people in small towns still can be. I came from a tiny town in Iowa and felt the exact same way. I could not get out of there fast enough!
Chef Michael: Yeah it was 1992 or 93 I dropped out of high school. I didn’t have any support- no one cared. I was from some hick town. I was destine for a big city and cooking came naturally for me. I just followed my dream. I have been in LA for eight years. I met Lola after being here for 3 months we got engaged and we have been married for 4 years.
4-Punk Globe: You had a lot of Punks rooting for you!
Chef Michael: There is not a real good representation of punks in this business out there. Because I think a lot of the chefs who work in our industry are old fat stuffy men. We are not all like that. It is nice to see some representation and I was happy to represent my people!
5-Punk Globe: That is what makes “Hell’s Kitchen “ above all the other shows of its genre. They allowed you - a Punk Rocker covered in ink to compete and best of all win the competition. I really think you have a Guinness Book Record -THE FIRST PUNK ROCKER TO EVER WIN SUCH A HIGH PROFILE COMPETITION. You also will always be the first winner of "Hell's Kitchen" and that holds alot of prestige.
Chef Michael: To be on a show with Gordon Ramsay and to win. It was great! I have always had to work twice as hard as the others to get respect. As soon as they look at me they always have this pre- disposed idea of how I am going to be. I’ve always had to work extra hard but I do think it paid off in the long run.
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and the rest is the whole interviews arranged by Ginger Coyote. Like she said - Chef Michael is way super cool, talented & a true lover to his beloved wife Lola. They have just got a new baby named Trixie GoGo Wray. How cool! you know what? I really wish I could have a future soul mate potentially like his - the fact is I would never ever going to have one. Far from my sweetest dream I guess, haha.
p/s: for anyone who still clueless by who chef Michael Wray is - he is the Winner of Season 1 Hell's Kitchen
for more info about this punk rocker chef, check these sites at skullandcleavers.com, punkglobe.com, & prickmag.com
