Here is my interview with Mr.Gary Gardo and the photos of Korean dishes that he made. I talked to him through Facebook for the first time. One day in June this year, he posted this message on my FaceBook wall, ” So happy I found you site..tied in cooking contest last month with Korean BBQ tacos..so this month I’m going to try samygeopsal after watching your video (plus my goddaughter made it for me a few months ago” I asked him what kind of cooking contest it is and he said the contest happened in South Main trolley tour in Memphis and the winners will be decided by public votes. “We’ll be feeding a couple of hundred folks…hope I can keep up…will let you know how it turns out”
Then he later updated the contest result!
“just letting you know I cooked your samgyeopsal gui (grilled pork belly) & my wife fixed your Pajeon for a cooking contest, even though we didn’t win, we had SO many good comments for your yummy food…I think we served several hundred people in a couple of hours…it was FUN! already looking at some of your other recipes to try….thank you so much!!!!”
I appreciated his update because I was curious about the result. : )
What is your name and where do you live?
My name is Gary Gardo and I was born & raised in Memphis Tennessee
What do you do and how many family members do you have?
I’ve been designing houses since 1975 (long time)…married to my wonderful wife Elizabeth (Boo) for over 35 years…no children…well, except our 3 year old son, Dumpling…world’s cutest Shih Tzu
How often do you cook Korean food following my recipes?
Well, just recently discovered your site, but since then, I’ve cooked 4 of your recipes…more soon
doljaban muchim (seasoned seaweed)
What are your favorite Korean dishes? Choose 3, please!
My favorite is what I’ve called Korean BBQ, but since have learned you call it LA Galbi, second favorite in the grilled pork belly (Samgyeopsal Gui)….hmmm, third is a tough choice…it’d be between Kimchi Fried Rice or Bibimbap
What’s your best Korean dish, the one that everybody compliments you on when you make it?
That would have to be Korean BBQ…always a great surprise to people because Memphis BBQ Capitol of the world…so I like surprising newbies to the Korean style.
I think it is awesome that you cooked samgyeopsal in a cooking contest. I made it for a dinner party this summer, but for significantly fewer people. You rock! Keep surprising those people in Memphis. :)
Nice to meet you Gary!
… and yes, you do have the world’s cutest Shih Tzu in Dumpling (or aka “Mandoo?”) He’s the first pure black Shih Tzu I’ve ever seen. I have two Maltese, One Chihuahua mix and one long hair black Chihuahua. But you can’t beat that adorable Shih Tzu face!