Aziz Ansari was both to Muslim parents - both of whom are doctors - in Columbia, South Carolina. He graduated with a degree in marketing. What did he then choose to do with his life? Why, become an atheist stand-up comedian of course! Ansari's best-known early work was probably his part in 'Parks and Recreation,' although it could be argued that 'Master of None' shone a brighter spotlight on him as an individual as opposed to being part of a cast.
Since 2014, he's largely stopped taking on acting roles and appeared as himself, with an increasing focus on stand-up material. Most of his work can now be found on Netflix. Away from the stage, he and two friends often dress up as sailors, go to high-end restaurants, and award them with a plaque indicating that their menu has been 'approved by the Food Club' if they enjoy their meal. According to Ansari, the restaurants frequently have no idea who he is, and put the plaque on the wall as if he were an important food critic.
Chefs made their way into celebrity land a while ago. But how many celebrities that weren’t trained as professional cooks are actually whizzes in the kitchen? Here are several that come to mind.
Actress Julia Roberts is confident about her cooking skills. “I’m quite a good cook,” she told E! News. “I’m like a closet home ec teacher…I can really cook anything.” Roberts has said she often cooks fish for herself and her kids. And speaking of her three children, “They think that I’m a good cook,” Roberts told People. “They actually told me that I should open a restaurant.” She also relishes cooking for the holidays, particularly shredded Brussel sprouts. Roberts hasn’t published a cookbook, but we did find recipes attributed to her for peach crisp and banana hemp muffins. Or you can make the same summer salad the actress supposedly eats.
Chrissy Teigen started off as a supermodel. Then her love of cooking filtered into her professional life too. At this point, she’s created recipes for a limited Blue Apron release and also just launched her own home and cooking line at Target named “Cravings,” after the two cookbooks she’s released. Teigen describes cooking as “a time of peace” for herself. So maybe peace out to her tuna melt sandwich or the fried chicken wings that are a favorite of her husband, John Legend.
Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, comes from a cooking Italian family. Her father started his own restaurant in New York and also published a cookbook. And apparently, Lady Gaga has inherited the family’s cooking genes. Her Instagram account occasionally features photos of her culinary activities. Sure, sometimes it’s topless cooking. But other times it’s more poignant like in the post she shared about her bringing food to the family of her dear friend who passed away. Want to try a Gaga/Germanotta family favorite? Check out her recipe for whole wheat pasta with a sweet fennel sauce.