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038-066 Shortcuts_SU05 Carmel Magazine 4/22/13 3:02 PM Page 13 SHORTCUTS NEIGHBORS Chef Todd Fisher Becomes 'The Bacon Guy' I magine settling into your sofa to watch television's latest situation comedy. The main character is a hard- working, sturdy chef with a boyish, almost silly disposi- tion—enhanced by a wardrobe of shorts and red clogs. He's a respected chef on the verge of stardom, hosting his own national food show on cable television. At home he's a father of five and husband to a saint of a woman who both inspires him and keeps him humble. Meet Todd Fisher, the man behind that script. He's executive chef at Sticks in Pebble Beach, and host of Destination America's "United States of Bacon." He and his wife Ada live in Salinas and raise five children ages 6 to 16. Fisher just completed his second season, sampling bacon treats across the country, and is now in talks with a production company about a new venture. "We're talking about sitcom ideas," says the 39-year- old. "I'll try anything, but in the end I have to be myself." Interviewing Fisher requires at least an hour. Half of that time dissolves into guttural laughs, weird conversational tangents and interruptions from fans. On this occasion, three strangers approach Fisher with an "I know you" expression. All three times, the conversation turns to bacon. Viewers identify with Fisher and his show, which takes him on a tour of the best greasy spoons in search of bacon goodness. He's eaten chicken-fried bacon, peanut butter bacon cheeseburgers, bacon-wrapped meatloaf and even bacon cheddar apple pie. "People think I only eat bacon," he says. "I'm not an idiot. I actually love salad." Fisher noticed he had crossed the line into celebrity the week his show debuted. "I was outside my house shooting hoops with my kids Photo: Kelli Uldall when I noticed the cable guy across the street staring at Sticks' executive chef Todd Fisher is makin' bacon. The fun-loving chef also worked at April's Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival. 60 C ARMEL MAGAZINE•SPRING/SUMMER 2013 me," he says. "He kept staring, and finally walked over and said 'you're that bacon guy. Can I take a picture?' " Fisher just rolled with it. He stood next to the guy, put his arm around him and smiled. Bacon love. —Larry Harland

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