In one of the earlier courses of the night, Chef Slowik preempts the meal with a personal story that lets the guests get a better glimpse into his life, even if it’s a story that doesn’t exactly lighten the mood. Before serving his take on Taco Tuesday, Chef Slowik not only introduces the room to his alcoholic mother Linda (Rebecca Coon), but also tells a story about a time that he was abused by his father and forced to act violently in self-defense.
It’s a story that doesn’t exactly elicit the light-hearted feels of something like “Taco Tuesday” and sets a darker tone that almost feels foreboding, given what follows. It’s even more disturbing to hear Chef Slowik tell this story with little to no emotion, while having his mother sitting in the room in a clearly damaged state. If you were skeptical that Chef Slowik might not be as bad as he seems by this point, you certainly start to change your perspective on him thanks to this disturbing family backstory, which will make you easily lose your appetite.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.