Andrew Zimmern talks food and family with local…
Andrew Zimmern talks food and family with local comedian Sheletta Brundidge on 'Family Dinner'
While filming an episode of "Family Dinner," Andrew Zimmern sat down with the Brundidge family for a Creole feast of fried catfish Acadiana, crawfish etouffee, fried cabbage and beignets. (Courtesy of Magnolia Network)
By Ross Raihala | rraihala@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press
Sheletta Brundidge's episode of "Family Dinner" lives up to its name, offering a look at her lively family eating some delicious Creole food together in the backyard of their Cottage Grove home.
The show airs at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 on Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Magnolia Network, which recently replaced the DIY Network. It's also available for streaming on Discovery+.
Local food titan Andrew Zimmern hosts "Family Dinner." In each episode, he visits a different family and learns about their food and family traditions. Brundidge — a comedian, broadcaster and owner of shelettamakesmelaugh.com — had never met Zimmern, but jumped at the chance to be featured on the show.
"We did have to have a conversation about safety," Brundidge said. "The crew was the most professional, kindest group I've ever seen, and I've been in news for 20 years."
A paired-down, COVID-compliant crew visited the Brundidge home in the summer of 2020. On the first day, they shot closeups of Brundidge's now ex-husband (more on that later), Shawn, cooking a New Orleans feast of fried catfish Acadiana, crawfish etouffee, fried cabbage and beignets for dessert.
"We fell in love in New Orleans," Brundidge said. "My entire family is from Lake Charles and I have very deep roots in Cajun and Creole country. Shawn has always loved cooking. I hate cooking. I wash the dishes, have babies and look pretty."
The crew also filmed Brundidge's family which, at the time, included four children and Shawn's elderly father, who had dementia. The three youngest kids are on the autism spectrum and, because of the pandemic, were going through virtual therapy. Brundidge transformed the dining room into a makeshift classroom, with dedicated spaces for each of her children.
"My kids can ask the same questions over and over again," she said. "My youngest might ask your name 20 times. The crew was so great. They answered every question and let the children touch the equipment. A couple hours into it, they were like family."
Several days later, the crew returned, this time with Zimmern. Shawn Brundidge made the entire feast for a second time, explaining each step to Zimmern, who surprised the family by cooking some shrimp remoulade to add to the meal. Zimmern also spent time sitting in on the kids' therapy, dressing up for Mardi Gras and horsing around with them in the backyard.
"The one thing I really appreciated about Andrew was his interactions with my children," Brundidge said. "He was caring, concerned and loving. And he was so impressed with how hard the kids worked in therapy."
Zimmern and the family enjoyed the meal outside, where the kids were able to stretch out and run around as needed. "Kids with autism need to be able to move," she said.
Things look a little different at the Brundidge house now that the show is airing. Shawn Brundidge's father died in October, after living with the family for five years. And the Brundidges got divorced — in an extremely amicable fashion.
Andrew Zimmern visits with Sheletta Brundidge in Cottage Grove. (Courtesy of Magnolia Network)
"In case you haven't heard, I'm a bit much," Brundidge said with a laugh. "During COVID, a lot of people took a real long, hard look at their relationships. I decided I was going to set him free. I married and divorced my best friend."
The pair sat down together to divide their assets and plan for their post-marriage future. They hired a lawyer only after a judge asked them to, in order to pin down some legal issues with their children. Shawn Brundidge has moved back to his home state of Ohio, where he works in healthcare. He frequently visits Cottage Grove and cooks up a storm when he's in town.
"Happiness is a choice," Brundidge said. "That's always been our family motto. And we choose to be happy. When we told the kids about the divorce, they never cried. They saw we still have a lot of love."
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Ross Raihala | Pop music critic
A Minnesota native, Ross Raihala joined the Pioneer Press as pop music critic in 2004, after stints at The Forum in Fargo, N.D., and The Olympian in Olympia, Wash. He covers local and national music as well as some theater and other arts and entertainment topics. His favorite part of his job is reviewing, and live tweeting, Twin Cities arena concerts. And, yes, he saw the same show you did.
rraihala@pioneerpress.com
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