Behind the scenes of Dinner Party Diaries
A few moments in the production of my new show!
My friends! Did you have a good weekend? I was home in DC, which was great…after weeks and months on the road, sometimes it’s nice to have a few days at home. We had a quiet Easter—did any of you make the Deviled Eggs from last week? What did you think? One of you (Jeff!) suggested garnishing with an anchovy…I absolutely love that idea, and I think I’ll do it myself next time I make them. And Lori, good luck making deviled eggs for 22 people!
Today I wanted to share a little behind the scenes of the Prime Video special I just released, Dinner Party Diaries With José Andrés. This is the kind of thing that I love to do here, with you all, to pull back the curtain a bit, show the things that you don’t get to see on the camera.
Our set was a beautiful rental home in Sherman Oaks, where we used the kitchen and dining room to film. Walking onto set was so exciting for me, and maybe even made me a bit nervous…there’s something about Los Angeles, about being with the stars of Hollywood, that makes you feel mariposas en su estomago. I know I’m a lucky guy to be able to do this, so the first moments always feel so amazing for me.
And the cameras! You have to get used to having so many of them focused on you, capturing every move you make.
But these people—Jamie Lee Curtis, Bryan Cranston, and O’Shea Jackson, Jr.—are pros. They’re used to the constant smiling for taking a portrait, the cameras flashing in your eyes again and again and again. If you’ve ever been at a family party and you’re tired when your aunt keeps saying “Just one more!” just imagine what it’s like to be an actor!
And each of them were absolutely hilarious to spend time with, each in their own way. O’Shea was constantly making all of us crack up, with his jokes about the porrón being a “genie lamp” and about being a national treasure. I agree, O’Shea, you are an amazing guy.
Bryan, Bryan, Bryan. If you watched the show, you know about his very famous, very salty scallops. I guess the guy just loves salt?
And Jamie Lee, of course! I wasn’t paying attention to it at the time, but there was a whole stretch of time that she was quietly on the side of the kitchen making her amazing gazpacho, while the rest of us were goofing off and cooking. She’s so focused on that gazpacho, on just the right ingredients, tasting every addition to make sure it was what she wanted. It’s what makes her one of the best actors in the world, that focus.
The cooking was great. Look at this menu! I was so proud to be able to share some of my absolutely favorite Spanish dishes of all time.
So friends. That’s a wrap. Let me know if you watched show, and what you thought. I hope we can make more shows like this in the future…!
(And of course if you watched, you know that I did in fact cut my finger, but it was such a small cut, and Jamie Lee is the best nurse ever, so it healed even before the end of the shoot…!)
Jose, I wanted to send you a message and this is where I felt I could do it. I apologize to other subscribers if they don't want to see this in their feed. Jose, my heart breaks for you, your team, and the families of the deceased at WCK. I'm with you in your heartfelt statement that the IDF is fighting a war against humanity. So many other countries over the decades have fought a war; fought a guerrilla war; an urban war; and not killed civilians and humanitarian workers at anywhere near the rate the IDF has. Sending another donation today to WCK.
So much fun! Apparently one can use too much salt, but never too much olive oil!!
I've made Jose's Pisto. It is delicious!