Before being a professional comedian I was a hard working and passionate chef at some upscale American cuisine restaurants around the country. Stand-up comedy was always my life's mission and passion, but I did have a special feeling in my heart for the culinary arts. I have such fond memories of being alone, with the radio playing classic rock, as I chopped vegetables or created a delicate sauce. Cooking very much like comedy is a passion art form in that if you don't adore it you won't be able to do it and do it right. I remember the last day at my restaurant after taking the plunge to comedy full time. I felt a little empty inside when I knew it was the last time I would be cooking in a restaurant. There was a wrench in my stomach as I left the building. I could always cook for myself, but never in the sanctuary that I called the kitchen.
Touring as a stand-up comedian is a surreal experience, almost better than I imagined. It certainly took a toll on my soul and I knew I couldn't maintain that lifestyle if I wanted to live a long and prosperous life. Then it occurred to me that maybe there's a way to combine my two life passions and make a live show that features instructional cooking.
Pat Mac was the GM of the Boise Funnybone the week I worked the club. Pat and I had met years prior at an open mic. in Houston TX and we stayed in touch over the years. All the years we knew each other we never realized that we both had an affinity for the culinary arts. We hung out at a BBQ that week talking about food and cooking and the next thing we knew we are in the woods filming our first Ultimate Camp Cooking DVD. This DVD features 18 gourmet recipes prepared out in the wilderness and with a live reality movie show feel to it. People just strolled over to our campsite and stared at our camp kitchen in amazement asking questions and didn't leave until the food and alcohol was completely gone. Pat and I realized that we created an environment where people were comfortable, where people let down their guards and became friends. Pat and I knew we had something special!
Soon after we have a fully edited and authorized DVD with extremely funny moments and great recipes. Pat and I wondered if we could create this awesome vibe in the campgrounds across America why can't we perform it live. We are both stand-up comedians for over a decade so lets write a live show.
Road Dog Films is owned by both Mike Faverman and Jason Simas who wrote and produced the live show that was featured at the Indianapolis Sports, Travel and Vacation show. Pat and Mike performed 11 live shows in front of various sporting audiences for 10 straight days. Gander Mt. sponsored us by providing camp equipment ranging from grill to canopies from chairs to coolers. The show was a huge hit as we were featured on CBS with Dick Wolfsy and Julia Moffet on NBC. Weeks after this great breakthrough Savory Kitchen in Boise Idaho called Pat and I to film three 30 minute episodes for their live cooking show on Saturdays. They loved us so much they had us return a few weeks later to do three more episodes. This was a dream come true for Pat and me; we were cooking and making people laugh and having fun.
We were honored when we were invited to perform for AGI Events in April 2007. AGI Events is a sister company of Camping World, Camping Life Magazine, The Good Sam Club and many more. Tom Gaither, Sr. VP of AGI Events enjoyed the show so much that he sat with the audience and tried heckling us as we performed our live show.
We knew that the combination of comedy and cooking would be a huge success. There is nothing better in life than to eat and laugh while spending time with close friends. We encourage everyone to put down your cell phone, close your laptop, head into the woods and cook it up.
Mike Faverman
About the Author
Mike Faverman is a professionally touring comedian, a filmmaker, writer and producer.
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