Greg Grossman: Celebrity chef is just 13

You pegged it: Novelty act. Children should be seen, and not heard.

I see a solid future and career for him working at McDonald's

A little early to declare him the next big thing isn't it?

Why are you all so hard? The kid is doing something else besides Playstation and Facebook. You guys are just jealous of the "family connections" part. I don't know the kid and it doesn't effect me either way if he makes it or not.

Another flash in the pan. In 2 years he will be back in school, like a normal kid should be. I think it's all his parents pushing him into this (as usual).

Good for him. He found something he likes and maybe he is good at it. Just like any other kid who may play baseball, or dance class, or gymnastics. Hope he does well.

How does he get around the child labor laws?

That a boy his age has already found a passion is a good thing, IMO.

Looks like Chef Jonas Brother could use a hair net. Whatever happened to high and tight!?!?!

JH

He's not a chef, he is a cook, Chef's manage and operate all facets of a foodservice operation. Until someone names him a Chef of their operation or he goes and gets certified by the A.C.F. then all he is a cook at best. Even when you graduate from Culinary school you are still not a chef. You have to earn it first. Being a gourmand does not make you a chef either.

and all the while - is he going to school or what????

Definitely a good vocation, but I question pushing a kid into the industry at that age. I find it admirable and unsettling at the same time.

For the comment stating he'll be working at McDonalds, umm if you read the article you'd read that his parents take him to nice restaurants and know quite a few people in the restaurant/food business so I am guessing that he comes from money and wont find himself at McDonalds..He has a passion for something which most preteens do not and I think thats wonderful, most of you folks sound just Jealous!

Christopher: Next time you interview someone, just give us the facts, not your opinions or prejudices. Believe it or not, I can make up my own mind about this kids line of work.

If your "star is on the rise," you are not a celebrity. If you need to say you're a celebrity chef, then you're not a celebrity. Stop using the term 'celebrity chef!!!!!!!!!!"

Good for this young man. I hope he sticks with it, Stays grounded and does what he seems to Love.

To the few of you who made stupid comments, One word.....

JELOUS!

Wealthy connected hebrew child makes good in life.How about hi family sponsoring a less advantaged child chef. That would be neat.

It's not that out of the question for a younger person to be doing this. It's only cooking after all. A profession whose entry is limited almost exclusively by an individual's ability to endure it far more than by one's ability to actually do it. The majority of people have the ability to cook, they just would rather do something else, unlike say playing sports professionally, becoming a physician, or getting a PhD in theoretical mathematics, all of which are tightly tethered to one's actually being gifted. Go ahead, chef it up. We all could.

PommeDG wrote:

It's not that out of the question for a younger person to be doing this. It's only cooking after all. A profession whose entry is limited almost exclusively by an individual's ability to endure it far more than by one's ability to actually do it. The majority of people have the ability to cook, they just would rather do something else, unlike say playing sports professionally, becoming a physician, or getting a PhD in theoretical mathematics, all of which are tightly tethered to one's actually being gifted. Go ahead, chef it up. We all could.

I am a professional Chef and I agree that most people can cook and it is easy. However, to cook well and to cook with the proper care and technique and personal flair, now that is the difference. Under your logic, restaurants are merely places to obtain food when one does not feel like cooking. I also feel that not only are they places to eat when one doesn't feel like cooking but they are also places to enjoy life and escape for a couple of hours and have a good time. As to your comment as Chefs not being particularly gifted as opposed to mathematicians or other academics, I ask you this, who is waiting two hours on saturday night to get a table and dropping $150 per person to listen to a mathematicians lecture? My answer, no one, stay at home and eat and also drink your liquor at home because bartenders are even less gifted than Chefs by your logic. You should also try working in a kitchen, I can tell by your elitist tone that you have never held a job that required you to use anything more that your brain, which you clearly keep nice and warm by sitting on it all day long.

I admire this kids motivation and drive. BUT-He still is only 13 or 14 and he wants to attend culinary school now, do a tv series and write a book. What about high school? What about being a kid? Friends (other than his parents')? This profession has a high burnout rate and it seems like that is where this kid will be headed if he continues at this feverish pace. I wish everyone the very best in this field. I have had many teenagers that have cooked in my restaurant over the years, but none so young as this and I wouldn't consider it no matter how good they were. I wish him the very best of luck and hope to hear great things about this boy in the future. He has the passion, now lets see if he has the longevity.