Norman Wilson – Worst Cooks In America

By starrymag | January 19, 2015

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

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

A) My younger brother nominated me without me knowing. He came over to the house and told me, “I nominated you for “Worst Cooks.'” I thought he was joking and I was shocked when I got the call.

Q) How did you decide on the hotdog dish you made in order to introduce yourself?

A) It’s not a hotdog. It’s a spicy sausage. Everyone says hotdog because that was what was in the refrigerator. One night, I came home inebriated and was hungry. I made it and it tastes good. I actually still eat that!

Q) Before coming on the show, did you have in mind that you wanted as a mentor?

A) I really didn’t. I watch Food Network so I was familiar with both chefs. I thought if I’m going to work with either one of them it would be great because I need to learn.

Q) What were your family and friends’ reactions to you being on the show?

A) When I told them that I was actually going to be on the show they were shocked. Mostly it was shock, then laughter and then encouragement after that.

Q) When you first saw what your fellow contestants were making, how did you feel about your competition?

A) I really didn’t get a chance to see everybody’s food. I did taste Sharif’s chicken, which I thought was good, but spicy as hell! I didn’t get a chance to see everybody’s though. I saw Michael “Six” make this cake and thought, “What is he doing?!” He built like a nest with bread at first and then I saw him making spaghetti and meatballs. Then it came out that he was making a spaghetti cake. I thought, “Okay, that’s crazy. That’s unique. Maybe he is going to be competition for me.”

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

A) Everybody was cool! I had to sleep in a room with Michael Kennedy, Sharif and Jason Dixon. Jason ended up leaving the first week, but we would stay up late at night. I guess I’m the snorer in the group so everyone still talks about how I kept them up. Except Michael Kennedy – I don’t know what it is about that guy. He fell asleep in the middle of telling one of his jokes! We’re still waiting on that punchline…

Q) Who did you become the closest with while you were on the show?

A) I would have to say Sharif because we shared the room together. I’m also close with David, Michael “Six,” Leo, Michael Kennedy, Genique and Susie. I pretty much keep in touch with everybody!

Q) There has been talk on social media about you being a “ringer.” Clear that up for the fans, please.

A) They said that because a lot of the questions about food I knew the answers. Also, there is a place near where Sharif lives called “Norm’s.” So, they said I opened up a restaurant. But, there isn’t one in Detroit! So, he was just joking. Maybe I can get an endorsement deal…

Q) Others on social media many people were curious about so many performers, musicians and comedians on this season of the show. What did you think of the casting?

A) You have all walks of life. I’m a bodyguard by trade. You have all walks of life, but I guess it made for good TV. You have Kristen who is a singer/songwriter, but it wasn’t like she was trying to advance her career in it. It’s not something she just started. These people already had their careers, but they just can’t cook. I guess the casting thought it would be good for TV. Everybody in the house were just who they were. What you see on TV is what they were like in the house. It wasn’t like when the cameras were on they switched. It’s just who they were.

Q) And many people doubt that the contestants really don’t know how to cook.

A) Yes, there was an actual inability to cook. I wish they did have cameras at the house because when certain people are at home doing certain things you realize what you see on camera is real. Stephanie was trying to chop up stuff and Kortni cutting up everything in the house. You really realize that these people can’t cook. For me, I was raised not having to cook. My mother and my sister took care of everything in the house.

Q) What can you tease is in store for this coming episode about flavor combinations?

A) People are really going to be surprised about David on that one. David is a great guy. What you see on camera is what you get from him. He looked out for everybody in the cast. 

Q) What did you take away and learn from being on the show?

A0 One of the things I really took away from it was mise en place, putting things in place. It really helps so much and people don’t realize it. People who know how to cook don’t use it and I realize that a lot of my dishes were messed up because I didn’t have the mise en place. I’d start to cook something and think, “Oh yeah, I have to chop an onion.” While I’m doing that, something is burning or messing up while I’m cooking. That, in itself, helped a whole lot! It’s just the basics of cooking, once you have that down you can go into so many different areas. You are not afraid to try new things.

Q) What has been your family and friends’ reaction to your new cooking abilities?

A) Surprised to say the least! I cooked a duck and my sister went crazy about it. She called my family in Alabama to tell them that I cooked a duck and it came out good. Everyone was surprised and has been asking me to cook things at their house and for me to host dinner parties. That’s not happening anytime soon, but I’ve been asked many times! I’ve been asked to bring things to potlucks!

Q) What was it like working with Chef Anne Burrell?

A) She was a great teacher! Chef Tyler was as well, but Chef Anne was a great teacher. She was no nonsense, but she was a great teacher. I was excited and I was kind of nervous because I had seen some of the past episodes. Even if she likes you, she can get down on you. But she is fair and she taught us well. If you were there a week, you took something home. You didn’t leave not knowing anything.

Q) You are a part of social media. Have you been enjoying receiving feedback from the fans when the episodes air?

A) The fans have been great! I joined Twitter a long time ago, but never used the account. Michael “Six” encouraged me to get back on there and the fans have been great. Thank you guys and I appreciate you! I love the feedback and being able to interact with the people that enjoy the show.

Q) What would you like fans of “Worst Cooks” to be sure they know about your time on the show?

A) This was one of my mother’s favorite show. She loved watching the show and she passed away in April 2013. Me being on the show and knowing that it was one of her favorite shows is kind of bittersweet. I would love to have been able to sit down with her and watch the episodes. My granddaughter was the other reason for being on the show. I wanted to cook for her and made sure she had those great memories like I did when I was growing up.