Chopped Application

Apply For:Amateur Cook, Mother/Father, 
Date:09/01/2015 03:19pm
Name:Tom Sielatycki
Age:48
Date of Birth:02/07/1967
Phone:269.207.5539
Email:tom@absolutevideo.com
Height:6\'4
Personal Video URL:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTf5gd3rC6s
Current Position:Owner
Place of Employment:www.absolutevideo.com
Restaurant Web Address:
Coat Size:46L
Address:8341 Lovers Lane 
Kalamazoo MI 49002
Work Address:516 Whites Road 
Kalamazoo MI 49008
Please describe any moderate to severe food allergies or any dietary restrictions.:My wife is gluten free
Are you a citizen?:yes
Can you provide a current Work Visa?:yes
Have you served in the military or any other civil service?:no
Please describe military or civil service.:
Have you ever been convicted of a crime?:no
Please describe the crime situation.:
Describe your personal/family situation (single, married, divorced, children, pets, etc...):My wife and I divorced in 2013 but get along great. We share two beautiful children, a 13 year old boy and 11 year old girl. We are currently living in two separate homes across the same city. We have a small dog. Since the divorce, the kids and I spent an enormous amount of time cooking together. My daughter has a dream to be in culinary school and begged me to complete this application. She adores the kitchen and loves that her dad cooks.
Are you currently being considered for any other competition shows, including, without limitation, any lifestyle or cooking shows?:no
Please describe the other shows.:
Will you be appearing on any TV shows that are scheduled to air in the next 12 months?:no
Please describe the other shows you will be appearing on.: Gilligan's Island
Have you appeared in any TV contests or competition shows (whether or not you won a prize)?:no
Describe other shows you appeared on.:
In a few sentences, please share your story: Tell us who you are and your current situation.:My daughter, Lucy (11), has a future in culinary arts. She asked me to apply since we spend so much time cooking together. My kids and I enjoy cooking and do it almost every night. We have a blast in the kitchen...always thinking outside the box and creating our own spin on recipes. Cooking and food are a family bond that have brought us all back together. 
Describe your background/history-where are you from?:I was born and raised in Kalamazoo Michigan. I am the youngest of 7 children. I attended Western Michigan University. I own and operate a small video production and website development company called Absolute Video & Multimedia. My Mother, who is 86 and in a nursing home, is my cooking inspiration. We are a polish-american family with a strong bond. My father was a WWII hero who died at age 54 in 1976.
List family members and note any that may be involved in the culinary industry:Vicki Niswander, Gary Sielatycki, Brian Sielatycki, Bruce Sielatycki, Jamie Sielatycki, Lora Sielatycki. Mother Dolly Sielatycki (she's crazy)
Why do you like to cook? Who do you cook for and how often?:Cooking is a passion for us because my daughter enjoys it so much. We cook 5 times a week and enjoy visiting our favorite restaurants on the other nights. We like cooking all sorts of foods using a variety of techniques and heat source. We recently started expanding our opportunities with www.hellofresh.com meals and have enjoyed that.
Do you cook professionally? If so, where, and in what capacity?:No.
If you are not a professional chef, list any goals past or present regarding cooking professionally.:My daughters dream is to own restaurants and cook. She is 11.
Describe your cooking style and any specialty dishes.:We like to follow recipes but break the rules. It\'s all about timing and plating for the best flavors. I make a wonderful Louisiana bbq shrimp and noodles with butter corn from the cob.
Describe ingredients you love, simple to exotic. What do you experiment with and how do you use it?:We love basil, ginger, garlic, and mint. Not afraid of butter and salt. Always pushing the envelope.
What are you like in the kitchen when you are cooking?:Happy and silly
Discuss some of the results/rewards of your cooking, the ways your culinary work has touched others.:My daughter is inspired by our family. She has a passion for food and cooking. My son loves it too! Cooking has brought my family back together after our divorce in 2013. 
How would your friends/family describe you?:Eccentric and fun with a great sense of humor (I\'m blushing). Life is good.
List any cooking competition experience.:We do \"mock\" cut-throat kitchen episodes with family
Describe your passions/hobbies besides cooking:I love travel, baseball, making fun videos, golf, roller coasters, family reunions, and Jim Beam.
Describe your greatest accomplishment. (Culinary or otherwise):I have earned the respect of my hometown community of Kalamazoo Michigan by operating the area\'s most trusted video and multimedia company.
What is something that we wouldn't know about you by looking at you?:I have a third nipple on my back.
Why do you think you can be the next Chopped Champion?:Champions are made because a passion and fire burns deep within. I would win for my daughter who will be an exceptionally talented chef someday in the near future.
What would you do with the $10,000 Chopped winnings?:Put it in the kids 529 plan for college (after I buy 100 bottles of Jim Beam)
Describe any TV appearances and approximate dates. (Demonstration, competition, documentary or otherwise):I broadcast the www.kccinvitational.com golf tournament every summer on the web.
In ONE sentence, tell us why the Food Network needs YOU on a special episode of Chopped:I am a normal middle American man with a terrific family. I represent everything that is good about family. I\'m goofy but controlled on camera.
How did you hear about the casting?:My daughter, Lucy Sielatycki (She will be punished if I am selected!)
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Absolute Video & Multimedia
516 Whites Road
Kalamazoo, MI 49008

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