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If you’ve seen any of QVC’s food shows I’m sure it’s crossed your mind, as it definitely crossed mine: just how much work goes into putting all those delicious presentations together? How much preparation is needed to cook, plate and style all the food that will ultimately get just a few fleeting minutes of airtime?

I had the pleasure of running into QVC’s Kitchen Supervisor James Davignon during an audience-participation Food Fest show.  In just a few minutes I learned so much and my curiosity was peaked even further. I’d walked past the kitchen several times since starting at QVC and was often overwhelmed by the mouth-watering aromas. So a few days later I grabbed my camera and popped into QVC’s kitchens just a few doors down from the Host Lounge.

James and crew were preparing tables for a “Gourmet Holiday” show. As cooks and food stylists worked to put the finishing touches on all the dishes, he told me that preparation for food shows starts many hours before the show goes live.  And great attention is given to every morsel.  You’re probably wondering if it’s all real…and indeed it is! After all, who knows which dish a host is going to dig into when the mood strikes? Oh and  FYI: when I finally have the pleasure of hosting a culinary show on QVC you can be sure my fork will be sampling as much as possible in the allotted time!

James shared that one of his favorite experiences happened only recently when Gordon Ramsay visited the Q and personally prepared a dish for him between shows. It was when he told this story that I could really see how passionate he is about his work. It means so much to him that those of us watching at home can almost taste the flavors of the food he and his staff worked so hard to prepare. And he has the pleasure of working with culinary idols, many of whom autographed  the very doors to the kitchen in which he works..see the pic below!

I snapped a few up-close photos of tables as they were being prepared..it’s a good thing James was right over my shoulder or there may have been a bite or two missing out of one of Mrs. Prindable’s Apples or Foodhub’s Heirloom Organic Boneless Pork Chops!

I can’t wait to work with James and his crew for many years to come. And James, if you’re reading this and have any need for someone to stop by and, you know, sample a few items just to make sure they’ve been cooked to perfection as usual, you know where to find me….

Ps. You can always find me on my Facebook or Twitter between blog entries!