The Dish

Directed by Strother Gaines, The Dish pokes fun at the seriousness and hierarchical attitude of those in the food industry. Everyone is an expert, everyone wants to blog and if one more person pulls out their phone in the middle of dinner service let’s all scream.

Set up as a TV talk show, Rhonda Lee (Catherine Deadman), Rodger (Kevin Boggs), Nadia (Anika Harden), Gwen (Kristy Simmons) and Phillip (Jonathan Wong) keep you laughing during this amusing performance.

Rodger, the self-proclaimed lead host, uses food verbiage to suggest sexual escapades between him and his significant other Raul. His colorful descriptions of every dish he savors becomes unbearably funny as we all have that one friend who thinks they are Julia Child. Nadia, the overachieving food blogger, captures the 21^st century’s fascination with followers, likes, and “friends” on social media. Constantly referring to her Instagram and even her antiquated Facebook page, she provides the bit of seriousness, but ridiculousness needed to balance the theatrical antics of the entire staff.

Phillip, considered the “token” Asian is calm, cool, and somewhat effeminate due to his off screen hidden relationship with Rhonda Lee the star of the show. Rhonda Lee which tracks perfectly with Paula Deen, is a Southern belle from Little Rock, Arkansas who looks a bit like Monica Lewinsky and built her million dollar empire through “perfecting” Chinese cuisine (Phillip is Chinese.)

Her antics are too funny as she is everything you’d expect from an over-the-top food celebrity. Gwen, the executive producer of The Dish, appears a bit out of place. And though she is there to keep the peace between Phillip and Rhonda Lee (there is a pending lawsuit brought against the network by Phillip,) her character is almost lost as she has much to compete against.

When three-time James Beard semi-finalist Tiffany MacIssac walked onto the stage, the audience erupted into applause. If you don’t know about her, you should be ashamed. She was the pastry genius behind the Neighborhood Restaurant Group whose presence is strong within DC and Virginia. With sixteen different locations ranging from bars, restaurants, a bakery and wine shop…they are the real deal.

Tiffany, graciously participated in an interview as well as a Chopped reminiscent throwdown battle between Nadia and Rhonda Lee. With crowd participation, it made an already spectacular experience become even more special.

The Dish is exceptionally entertaining and totally spot on about DC’s food scene.

Take me to the DCTS 2014 Capital Fringe Guide