Local DFW chef and owner of the successful catering company Getting Saucy, Jennifer Bajsel, is set to appear on the television series Beat Bobby Flay, which will debut on Thursday, November 12, at 9:00pm Central. Bajsel, who started as a home cook over 15 years ago, is determined to create flavorful dishes that cross international borders, especially as she makes her appearance on the national TV show.
Beat Bobby Flay is a competitive cooking show where two chefs battle to create a dish using a special ingredient chosen by Food Network’s Bobby Flay. The winner of the first round competes with the chef himself in the second round, creating a signature dish that is unknown to Flay. A blind taste test is done by a panel of judges to determine the overall winner.
Bajsel began her professional cooking career in 2011, as she pursued her professional culinary degree at The International School of Culinary Arts at The Art Institute Dallas. One year into her culinary education, Bajsel began working under her mentor, well-known Dallas chef John Tesar, at his restaurant Spoon Bar & Kitchen. Other culinary positions include serving as the kitchen manager for Chino Chinatown, the lead culinary expert at Williams Sonoma, a kitchen assistant at Sur La Table, and holding a sous chef position at Foodie Couture.
Bajsel describes herself as a fierce competitor because of the high goals that she hopes to accomplish, including hosting her own television series. “I think exposure is tremendous because the show [Beat Bobby Flay] is well-known on a national level,” said Bajsel. “One of my biggest goals includes having my own cooking show, so this can help me begin the process.”
Not only does the New York native spend time running and owning her own business, but she also volunteers on a regular basis for the North Texas Food Bank, where she serves as a volunteer chef. Jennifer’s upbringing and life experiences have taught her to give back to the community, as she has gone through many rough times, including the passing of both of her parents.
Getting Saucy, Jennifer’s catering company, was created in 2014 to deepen her culinary experience. Through her company, Bajsel currently develops individualized event menus, hosts private dinners and large events and instructs in-home cooking classes.
