Heads up, foodies: Tonight, TLC is premiering their new show, Food Buddha, featuring Chef Rodelio Aglibot. In each episode, he visits three restaurants and orders OOE (one of each) from the menu. That’s one. Of every item. On the entire menu. No joke.

We were intrigued (though we felt super-stuffed just thinking about it) -- and asked the Food Buddha to share his tips for translating this crazy concept to real life.

1. Find a group. The one-of-each challenge is, of course, a daunting one -- even for the biggest appetite. But with a group of 8 or so, a 20-entrée-menu could actually be doable.

2. Pick a section. Don’t have the stomach (or, um, the budget!) for the whole menu? Take on a single section, like all of the chicken dishes, appetizers, or even the left side of the menu.

3. Pace yourself. Order in waves so that everything doesn’t arrive at once. Then taste each plate as it comes out -- don’t binge on the first dish just because it’s good. There will be (lots) more where that came from. Along the same lines, if you don’t love something, simply move on. It’s not worth filling up on a dish that’s just so-so.

4. Pack up. If you’re anything like us, this show is sure to inspire “Clear your plate” childhood flashbacks . So make sure nothing goes to waste by taking the remainder home. Added bonus? You and your fellow diners will have great lunches for a week.

5. Find inspiration. After each restaurant, Chef Rodelio takes the dish that impressed him the most and creates his own version of it for his restaurant, Sunda in Chicago. Take a page out of his book and try to recreate one of your favorite restaurant dishes at home next weekend. Get creative and don’t stress if it doesn’t turn out exactly right -- you may end up crating something even better in the end.

Think you’ll try it? Weigh in below.

-- Laura Schocker

Jun 14, 2010

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