The 'Yes, chef!' kitchen cult on TV is too much
Let’s talk about cooking shows. Specifically, that grating, military-esque chorus that echoes through almost every competitive culinary arena on TV: "YES, CHEF!"

Let’s talk about cooking shows. Specifically, that grating, military-esque chorus that echoes through almost every competitive culinary arena on TV: "YES, CHEF!"

It was a bit of a drive from Lafayette to McGee's Swamp Tours but it is sure worth it! The Atchafalaya Swamp is definitely your chance to get up close with alligators... but not too close. Well, you get pretty close.

If there's one thing required for being a Buff Boy, it's versatility. Why? Because Buff Loft is not only where we live, it's also an office space. So, our work can be done in the kitchen, on the deck in the backyard or even -- dare I say it -- in bed. Plus, our parent company is in the broadcasting biz so when they come to town from Canada to cover Hollywood events, we get kicked out of the loft and shuttled off to a hotel to give them the workspace. Meaning: we have to be very mobile all the time.


As a homeowner who takes pride in my property and cares about the well-being of animals, I find myself constantly frustrated by a common trend in my neighborhood: the prevalence of so-called "outdoor cats."

My partner wants us to know each other's phone-unlock code in case there's an emergency and we need to get into each other's device. I'm suspect about his motive but he makes a compelling point. We've been together for three months and it seems like a trusting relationship. I think this early in a relationship it's a little much to feel like we're next of kin or something already. We're definitely not in the place where he's my emergency contact.

Yes, chocolate bacon cupcakes. Hear me out. Yeah, I kinda love bacon so I tried it out.


With any senseless murder in the United States, naturally the whole gun control debate comes up.

"Tanner, I need you awake at 4:30 a.m. and out of the hotel shortly after." Yup, that's what everyone wants to hear on DAY 1 of their trip to Phoenix. Unfortunately, that's the reality of this assignment. (I guess there are bigger problems an employee could have.) "You're going on a hot air balloon ride to watch the sun rise over the desert." Deal!

Ugh, headaches. I used to get them a lot when I was in school. They went away for years but now, for some reason, by the end of the day, sometimes, I get them again.


I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, a kind of internal audit of my own emotional responses, and it's led me down a fascinating, slightly unsettling rabbit hole.

My partner loves kids and watching shows about parenting or stuff with babies. Whether it's funny videos of babies or old nanny reality shows from the 2000s. He will watch anything with little kids and find it adorable. He likes the squealing giggle a baby does when it claps and is excited. The sound of a baby crying drives me insane. I can't handle it. The good thing is he's not pressuring me to have kids but our viewing habits couldn't be any different. Seriously, I'll hear him watching something (even if it's just a diaper commercial and a baby cries) and I instantly tense up. Do I buy him headphones to listen in silence or what?

I already feel you rolling your eyes at this one. Hey, by now you've figured out my recipes are totally unconventional -- and that's what makes them fun!

Ben is the strong silent type. You’re more likely to catch him reading a book in the bath than you are to see him raging on the dancefloor of a sweaty nightclub. Either lying in silence or to the strings of classical music, Ben stays calm… unless something breaks his focus.


For a while now, I’ve been observing a phenomenon that, frankly, has grown beyond a mere trend and morphed into a pervasive cultural expectation. It’s the insistent whisper – or often, a shout – that everyone needs to be a content creator.

At first I thought Adventure Science Center in Nashville would be for kids. Maybe it is to a certain extent but adults can have a fun time, too. Turn me loose in anything I can light up or make loud and I'm all in.

I'm single and my mom keeps trying to set me up with people. She doesn't know my type and she's picking people who aren't even close to my style. How do I tell her to piss off?

Like many TV viewers, I find myself occasionally drawn to the flashing lights and siren calls of reality cop shows. "Body Cam," "PD Cam," "Police 24/7" – they offer a glimpse into the daily grind of law enforcement, a ride-along from the comfort (and safety) of my couch.

As someone who's often double-fisting phones (my own, and on the days I'm tasked with monitoring the Buff phone), it's a constant pain to keep monitoring battery levels so I'm not running low without a charger when I'm out and about.

It’s natural to be nervous on your first date. It’s an exciting time for a teenager. After all, it could be a lifelong relationship. But, let’s be honest, it’s not. Nevertheless, hours of preparation goes into making it a memorable time for not only you but the date you’re trying to impress.

As I sit here, reflecting on my experiences as an American, I am reminded of the peculiar phenomenon that seems to permeate our culture: the unwavering conviction that our country is the best in the world.

There are few culinary pairings I love as much as chocolate and Buff coffee. They just belong together, don't they? That rich bitterness of coffee perfectly complements the sweet depth of chocolate. And if you're like me, constantly looking for easy ways to satisfy a sweet craving that feels a little bit gourmet, then keep reading for my utterly addictive chocolate espresso dip.

Just a few days ago, as the lazy Los Angeles afternoon melted into evening, I caught a news segment that stopped me in my tracks. It was about how students are falling (even more) behind and the pandemic didn't help and yadda-yadda-yadda. It showed a bunch of B-roll of sad kids for added emphasis.

I'm in a new relationship and it seems like my partner is constantly fishing for compliments. When he makes food, he's always asking how it is. When we go out, he asks if I like his outfit. The first couple of times it seemed like he genuinely wondered how I felt but I've caught on that it's his way of forcing me to compliment or say nice things. It's kind of driving me insane already because it's coming across as needy.

Montreal is usually known for its food. At least, that was my take when researching the Canadian city. The French thing, as a Californian, scared me a little bit because I thought I would feel like I would be lost in a foreign country. I guess, in a sense, I was.
