We kind of had a feeling it would be like this. When asked by CNN what initially attracted him to a life in a kitchen, Graham Elliot quickly and efficiently dispelled any notion that he learned in some idyllic country kitchen with an old Italian grandmother: “Most people say it was their grandmother, stirring the sauce next to her, but for me it was my dad.” Between eating freshly caught lobster and abalone, Elliot also talked about traveling around the world and being exposed to all different kinds of cuisine. He doesn’t exactly mention when the Pop Rocks come into play, but he does give a few hints on how some colorful pancakes as a kid may have inspired some of the more whimsical elements of his restaurant.
Every Sunday he made a batch of pancake batter. He would divvy it up into different bowls and add food coloring which made different colored pancake batter. He would then make different shapes - Mr. Bill, giraffes, apples - that was our breakfast which was super cool.
