Genique Freeman – Worst Cooks In America

By starrymag | February 2, 2015

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How did you originally get involved with “Worst Cooks In America?”

A) My best friend from college nominated me. We were roommates and she had heard about the show. She said, “Girl, I’m going to nominate you for a show.” I was like, “What show?” She said, “Worst Cooks In America.” I started laughing because I had seen the show before, but I didn’t think I was qualified. She was like, “Girl, yes, you qualify!”

Q) How did you decide on the pork chop dish you made to introduce yourself?

A) I love pork chops. My dad makes the best fried pork chops with gravy, mashed potatoes and green beans. I always attempt to make that dish and I can never do it. When they said to make our favorite dish, I thought, “I’ll do it, but it won’t be like my dad’s.” It’s my favorite dish to make, but I cannot cook it.

Q) Before coming on the show, did you have a chef in mind that you were hoping to be paired with?

A) Honestly, I love Chef Anne because I like her teaching style and she seems passionate about what she does, but I am in love with Tyler Florence. So, I was really hoping I was going to be on his team.

Q) What were you friends and family’s reaction to you making it on the show?

A) They were really excited and everyone was so excited I got on Chef Tyler’s team because he is actually from South Carolina. I’m originally from South Carolina, that’s where I was born. Now, we live in North Carolina so they were like, “Yes! A homeboy!” And they thought he would be nicer than Chef Anne so they were really excited about him.

Q) What were you thoughts on the casting this season?

A) I thought the casting was great! It really incorporated people from different walks of life and lifestyles and interests. Regardless if someone is a performer, singer or may have acted before, it doesn’t mean that you can’t cook. If you can’t cook, then you can’t cook. If you are coming there to learn that for the competition, I feel like everyone is on a level playing field.

Q) How did you feel about your fellow competitors on your team?

A) I really liked my team. Even though it is definitely an independent competition, I think we were all in the same boat. We all wanted to learn so we worked well together. Out of the people on my team, Sharif and I worked together the best. When our stations were next to each other, we worked well together. He would go get the blender and I would go get the flour. We would kind of share tasks so that it was easier for both of us. If I needed something, I would just grab it from his station. We really worked together so we really helped each other out. I love Sharif! He is the closest person I am to on my team.

Q) What was it like living with your fellow contestants?

A) I thought it was fine! Surprisingly, to have a bunch of women having to share one bathroom….I was roommates with Kortni, Susie and Kristen. We, surprisingly, got along really well. I was worried about that coming into the competition because I knew we all had to live together. It is really not that type of show. It’s one of those shows where it is a competition, but you’re trying to learn a life skill that you are serious about. Everyone is kind of learning from each other as they are learning together. Kristen and I were the biggest girly-girls. We had to have our makeup right and so in the morning she would be sitting on the floor with this big mirror. I would be sitting right next to her and we would be doing our hair. It was really fun! We kind of coordinated our outfits. So, it was really fun!

Q) Your fellow contestants have often said they wished there were cameras in the house. Is there a moment you wish had been caught on tape?

A) I would say that we had a mini talent show. Kristen is a singer and she sang. Leo is a performer of everything so he can sing, he can act and he can dance. He can do anything! We had a mini talent show. We had some comedians in the house. We had everyone showcase their talent and it was really fun to see the personalities come together to do that. It was really fun!

Q) Who did you become the closest with from the show?

A) I am closest with David and Leo. I have a great relationship with everyone on the show. From my team, I’m closest with Sharif and Kortni is like a little sister.

Q) David and Leo are on the opposite team! How did you get so close with them?

A) It was a connection we had when we first met. You know when you meet someone and you feel a connection like you have known them your entire life? I had that feeling with David and Leo. It was a fast friendship. And it was kind of good that they were on the other team because you are trying to beat out people on your team so you don’t want to feel bad about it. It kind of worked itself out.

Q) What do you say to those who doubt you all aren’t that bad of cooks?

A) I can only speak for myself and I cannot cook. I will say I cannot cook. I came on the show because I wanted to learn how to cook and I feel like I got a great opportunity of a lifetime to do that. So, for people who think that, you are never going to be able to please everybody. There is always someone who is going to take the negative side to something. The people who were nominated, there is a filtering process and we made it!

Q) This week we’ll see you taking on breakfast. What can you tease is to come this episode?

A) I will say what I say about the other episodes that have aired – Stay tuned! It’s going to be interesting, funny and we will see who does the best job!

Q) What did you take away from your time being on the show?

A) I would say before coming on the show I would say, “I don’t like this,” or “I don’t eat this.” I only ate the same type of foods and didn’t really branch out to try things. I was definitely not a big vegetable person. What I learned is you have to try things and sometimes when you incorporate it with other things you do like it might change the flavor or the taste of something. I think early on, like for the first thing we ever made, Chef Tyler told us a good way to incorporate vegetables into your diet is for you to roast them. So, even if it is something that you think you might not like roast the vegetables and eat them with every meal.

Q) What has been the reaction you have received at home to your new cooking abilities?

A) They are still skeptical, but hopeful! They are still skeptical and hopeful. They are like, “Okay. We’ll see.”

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you enjoying the fan feedback you have been receiving?

A) I have! It’s been interesting to see peoples’ perception of the show and what their thoughts are about different things. It’s fun to watch yourself on TV and then to see people’s reaction to you.

Q) What would you like to be sure fans know about you?

A) I really was thankful for the opportunity because for me it was definitely about a lifestyle change in terms of eating healthier. What I am taking away from the show is being able to cook for myself and actually being able to have control over what I eat versus fast food and takeout. That was my big purpose for wanting to be on the show. I wanted to learn how to cook for myself, eat healthier meals and not rely on fast food and catering. I want people to know this was a serious thing for me and I took it as a serious challenge.