Jonathan Hanna found Worst Cooks has helped him in the kitchen

In this season of Worst Cooks in America, Jonathan Hanna uncovered a love of cooking.

While Worst Cooks in America has become a Food Network fan favorite, Jonathan Hanna left his mark on the popular cooking competition. Although his time on Season 21 was short, Jonathan left his mark on the popular show. More importantly, he discovered a great appreciation for food and cooking.

Recently, Jonathan Hanna spoke with FoodSided about this Worst Cooks in America experience, his new appreciation for cooking and why a hand model took the risk to be on this Food Network cooking competition.

During the first episode of Worst Cooks in America, Jonathan chose an ambitious favorite dish. While other home cooks attempted traditional, sometimes easy dishes, Jonathan went with a dish that some might consider quite difficult. It showed that he was up to the challenge.

More importantly, that particular dish had special meaning for Jonathan. He said, “I made Egyptian Grape Leaves with Cucumber Yogurt because I became very homesick during COVID. My parents and brother live nearby in Jersey, but I skipped Easter, like most people, and didn’t see them until Father’s Day. I discovered this excellent Greek restaurant in Midtown, Loi Estiatorio, and would order the Greek version, several times a week. hahahaha. I eat Egyptian food at home only or when family members cook it.”

For even an experienced cook, this dish is quite ambitious. From the cooking techniques to the flavor, it is far from that traditional meat and potatoes.

Listening to Jonathan’s reasoning, it is clear that he has a connection to food. Just like many people, food brings them closer to family. Sometimes a single bite can be that comfort in times of need.

While Jonathan might have been looking for the food connection, he was cautious in the kitchen. As a hand model, he did not want to get Anne’s infamous red mark.

Still, Jonathan understood that sometimes it is necessary to get a little dirty. He said, “I bike a lot, so I get oil on my hands all the time, but I also wash my hands several times a day, pre-COVID and during COVID. I was more concerned about cutting my hand. They didn’t show it in the first episode, but I was cutting extra-carefully and -slowly to make sure my hands and fingers stayed intact. It was also the first time I was using a chef’s knife. I’ve been cooking for the past month, and I’ve gotten faster, but I’m still very careful. Overall, I still live my life and lotion up regularly.”

Even though he uses care in the kitchen, Jonathan wants to improve his cooking skills. Having been eliminated in the first episode of Season 21, he did learn to improve on his final dish.

Jonathan said, “After I was eliminated, Chef Carla asked to me replicate the dish in the allocated time and tag her in it. I will definitely replicate the dish, but I’m not sure about in 45 minutes. My kitchen is small, and when I’m cooking I’m constantly washing my hands and cleaning my chef’s knife and cutting board, so I don’t cross-contaminate.”

Now, Jonathan is becoming more adept at cooking. With a little assistance, he has found an appreciation for cooking.

Jonathan said, This show changed my life whether I like it or not. After the season was announced around Thanksgiving, my friend, Scott, suggested I sign up for EveryPlate; I did. I’ve made over 15 meals to date, and my food actually tastes good. I’ve spent a lot of money on kitchen utensils, pans, and cast iron skillets. I love the cast iron skillet and have even made Blueberry Skillet Cobbler (recipe: The Loveless Cafe) and Baked Polenta with Italian Sausage and Cremini mushrooms (recipe: Spoon Fork Bacon).”

Since Jonathan has come a long way since his time on Worst Cooks in America, he has some simple advice for any home come. Jonathan said, “Take your time and watch YouTube videos on steps in the recipe you don’t understand. It takes me a couple of hours to make my dinners (chatting on the phone and FaceTiming doesn’t help), but my food ends up tasting really good.”

While this season of Worst Cooks in America didn’t showcase his songs, he did share a little suggestion. He mentioned, “I improvised one for my odd Christmas cookies, but they didn’t air it. I’ll write a section of a jingle now. Meaty with a sweet glaze, chewy like a skirt steak, One bite is always enough, Jonathan’s Meat Christmas Cookies are rough.”

And, just to add a little levity to all the cooking commentary, FoodSided is asking some chefs to share their most embarrassing food item in their refrigerator. Luckily, Jonathan was willing to share.

He said, “At my friend’s Christina’s son’s Christening, They gave out chocolate pops with an engraved crucifix as the design. I haven’t thrown it away because I feel sacrilegious throwing a cross in the garbage. The pop is from 2013. hahahaha. Well, at least it’s protecting my fridge from mold.”

Whether you have something unusual in the refrigerator or just want to feel more confident in your cooking skills, make sure to watch Worst Cooks in America on Food Network Sundays at 9 p.m.

What is your most embarrassing food hiding in your refrigerator? Have you improved your cooking skills by watching the Food Network?