ASTANDOUT ON ‘ THE CHEW ’ Food stylists are most well-known for making hamburgers look temptingly juicy and bottles of soda glisten with condensation — essentially , making food look its best before photo and video shoots . Food styling is often done using less-thanappetizing methods , such as spraying glycerin on bottles or dripping glue into cereal bowls .
What Rothong excels at is styling dishes that are actually edible . She used these skills at The Chew to make the meals demonstrated on camera look fantastic . Alexandra Utter worked with Rothong during Season 1 of The Chew , and saw the magic happen firsthand .
“ She was a food stylist slinging recipe after recipe out for each segment of the show ,” says Utter . “ If an additional dish was needed at the last minute , she would be the first one running to make it happen .” Utter says Rothong thrives in the fast-paced world of cooking shows , making it look “ effortless and fun .”
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“ I ’ ve never styled anything fake ,” Rothong says . “ Food should look like food .” Every dish she styled could be devoured by her fellow Chew coworkers after the segments .
“ Jackie is a visionary ,” says Utter . “ She ’ ll see an opportunity not just for what it is now , but for what it could be . Then she takes it astep further and makes it happen .” ( Utter also recommends checking out Rothong ’ s recipe for Nutella chocolate cookies , which she calls “ the best out there .”)
OUTLET FOR COMPETITION Rothong showcased what she learned on The Chew in the many food competitions she appeared in over the years . The first was Sweet Genius on The Food Network .
“ I grew up an athlete ,” Rothong says .“ I ’ m competitive . So when I stopped playing basketball , I wanted to find an outlet for that adrenaline you get in sports .” Food competitions fit the bill . Chopped , she says , was her favorite .“ It was a dream . I hardly remember being on it , I was so excited .”
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Her parents , who now live in Wisconsin , are huge fans of the show , making her victory even sweeter . “ To actually win and call my parents was so fulfilling . I was glad to make them proud ,” she says .
MAKING COOKING APPROACHABLE Today , you can find Rothong on your small screen during her many talk show appearances . Her Instagram has also become a major outlet for her creativity in the kitchen .“ I make food really approachable ,” she says .“ People would say to me , ‘ I never thought I ’ d make abagel at home .’”
Rothong is currently focusing on developing new recipes , and hopes to create her own cookbook in the future . “ I want people to understand that cooking can be simple and delicious ,” she says .
You can follow Rothong on Instagram @ chefsparklessz and on TikTok at @ basicallysimplefood . You can also visit her website , jackierothong . com . ■
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COURTESY OF JACKIE ROTHONG |
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32 MAY 2022 WAYNE MAGAZINE |