“Never trust a skinny chef.”
That’s a decades-old joke that plays upon the oft-debated supposition that fat chefs must be good chefs because they eat their own food.
But being overweight is no laughing matter. And a chef’s lifestyle creates a potential recipe for packing on the pounds: long hours into the wee hours, liberal access to alcohol and a need to sample their wares.
Food Network’s bluntly titled TV show “Fat Chef” debuted last month and chronicles the challenges of a dozen chefs, caterers and restaurant owners trying to shed pounds over 16 weeks using dietitians and fitness trainers.