Interview with the World’s Tallest Chef

At 7 feet, Jeff Goldfarb is recognised as the World’s Tallest Chef and today I had the pleasure of interviewing him, here’s what he had to say.

Is there a record for the world’s tallest chef?
Not an official record but Celebrity Chef Michael Smith claims his stake as the world’s tallest chef at 6ft 7.  He is from Canada, I wrote him and knocked him off that title, and he gracefully rescinded his claim. I have a current claim with Guinness Book of World Records.

How do you find being tall in a professional kitchen?
In the beginning stages of my career as a chef, my fellow co-workers were intimidated by my height, so it became difficult to gain their respect as a chef. Over time they began to see the real me, a “gentle giant”. Other people who just felt jealous of me tryed to sabotage my work, and in the end they became unemployed.

Working on kitchen tables is difficult as I have to stoop over and that has been bad for my back. I now raise my cutting board up higher to be comfortable. My legs have become worse over the years, however I still can run circles around the young chefs of the new generation.

What is your favorite thing about being tall?\r\nMy favourite thing about being tall is that I chose to aggravate my coaches who pressured me to play basketball and follow in my father’s footsteps, pursuing a career as a chef.

I love standing out in a crowd and being able to see everything that is far away. I love that I am happy and confident being tall. People want to take pictures with me, that is fun too.

Is there anything you don’t like about being tall?
I dislike getting into taxis, it’s like being inside a can of sardines.  I really don’t like driving that much, I had to have my car seat adjusted. I don’t like cars, trains and airplanes, it is truly difficult to be comfortable on all three. I have to test out a chair at a bar or restaurant so it won’t collapse on me.

Using a public restroom is embarrassing as my legs get stuck in the stall. Going to visit a friend’s house and sitting in a card table chair is like sitting in a baby chair, so I usually bring my own chair to my friends’ homes. Despite these challenges, I love being tall.

Tell us about your catering business.
My catering business is The World’s Tallest Chef. It’s a private chef catering to local Chicago clients and local Chicago celebrities. This business is  exciting as I can come in your home and cook for you, I can teach you how to cook and shop for groceries economically, with a healthy focus. I create menus tailored to my clients needs with reasonable priced rates.  Most important I stress that my cooking  will be an amazing culinary experience, and fun as well.

What’s your signature dish?
My signature dish is Marinated Cornish Hen. It is a aromatic, sexy, romantic, acidic marinade, that will awaken your palate with layers of flavor. You can view this recipe on my website. http://www.worldstallestchef.com/

Where do you get your chef’s whites from?
Many on line retailers like Chef Works, Imperial textile  do have a 7XL size chef jacket. I enjoy a 7XL chef jacket to allow for shrinkage and be roomy as well. I have in the past had my chef whites, custom made.

Do you have any plans for the future?
Yes, I am currently working on a cookbook/memoir of life being a tall chef. It will be titled, Tall Order: Adventures of the World’s Tallest Chef. It will feature many of my signature recipes, and be a inspiring/controversial look at my career, with the highs and lows of my rise to a successful tall chef.

Good luck and thank you!
Thank you. I wish to motivate and mentor tall people that you can do anything, and most important do what you love and have a passion for.

Jeff also has an unusual auction for his chef services for 2 people to cook on Valentine’s Day for the price tag of $50,000, with $10,000 going to Haiti eathquake victims and another 10% going to Feeding America charity. The auction can be found here.