The 5 Ingredient Fix

Betty interviews Claire Robinson, Food Network’s 5 Ingredient Fix Rising Star

-Francine Segan

Claire Robinson - the hot star of the Food Network’s new hit series Five Ingredient Fix - took a break from whisking and chopping to chat with Betty Confidential.

Every recipe on your show 5 Ingredient Fix is made with only five ingredients. Why five?

The fun thing with a 5-ingredient recipe is that because it’s just a few ingredients, and sounds and seems so simple, people feel like they can tackle it, no matter what I have them do. They don’t even realize that they are using quite difficult techniques and are becoming a chef in their own home. With just a few ingredients, it isn’t so daunting.

What’s your most spectacular cooking failure?

Right after graduating from culinary school I was working as a private chef to make extra money. I was cooking with another private chef for a couple who are very influential in the NYC art scene. Editors of the New York Times and other big shots were there, and even though it was only a dinner for eight, it was a little bit intimidating.

We decided to make white salmon, which is only available one time a year and is VERY expensive. We accidentally burned the fish. It was totally my fault … we had no fish to serve for the main course.

What did you end up serving?

We made a double batch of the side dish---a giant plate of herb lentils with yogurt on top. It was the most important chef job of my life up until then, and it was a total disaster. It was a humbling experience.