Dear Robert Irvine

Dear Robert Irvine,

         It is about time I wrote you this letter because I have been a fan of yours for quite some time now and I like you better each time I watch you. If only I could figure out how to get a taste of your food I am sure my fandom would only grow that much more. I'm sure it goes without saying that I am a food lover and I frequent the Food Network when watching television. I like the traditional cooking shows, the not so traditional cooking shows, the shows that feature great places to go, and above all, the competition shows. Granted, despite my love of the cooking competition, it is still nice to watch someone cook under relaxed conditions without having someone take their main ingredient away or forbid them from using the oven. But taking away your oven or even your main ingredient is like a stroll in the park for you. You have been successful in situations where you have been asked to do so much more, with virtually no time, for picky hosts that are constantly pulling the rug out from under your feet. The amount of cooking competition programming is certainly at it's peak of popularity and the varying types of cooking competition shows continue to evolve and reinvent themselves, but you have done it all and have done it well. Not just well, but above average and successfully. From Dinner: Impossible to Restaurant: Impossible and everything in between, you have done it with enthusiasm, intensity, passion, skill, intelligence and grace. Which is why after watching the second episode of the most recent installment of The Next Iron Chef, I knew that I not only had to write you this letter, but I am even considering starting a fan club revolved around an appreciation of your total body of work, rather than picking apart one plate at a time. I can see it now; we'll give away a promotional apron or promotional spatula that says 'Rob Got Robbed' to every new member that registers. I understand that 'you can't win 'em all', but despite strong, inspired performances in Chopped: All-Stars, Iron Chef America's 'Battle Deep Freeze', Worst Cooks In America and The Next Iron Chef, I have decided that there is a conspiracy afoot and the 'Rob Got Robbed' fan club will uncover it!

         In all seriousness, you are the total package when it comes to today's top celebrity chefs. You have the guts and creativity to put yourself out there, even when the task at hand seems, well impossible. You seem to work well with others even during the most stressful times and are still able to get the most out of your team even in matters unrelated to cooking. Who knew you were an interior designer and a foreman as well as an executive chef? I've seen you feed hundreds, even thousands with a make-shift kitchen, ingredients from someone's pantry and the amount of time that it takes someone to sing 'Happy Birthday.' Yet, the food still looked delicious enough to pay for, let alone eat. I'd love to somehow taste the result of one of those shows or eat at your restaurant, but even without having tasted your food I am certain that Iron Chef America lost it's best, most qualified candidate when you were eliminated. Far be it from me to call myself an expert, but you have earned that spot and would have done the position proud. Just wanted to let you know that I am one of the many that root for you every time, appreciate your passion and experience, and thoroughly enjoy the entertainment you bring to Food Network and everything you do.