Chef Curtis Stone Discovers Farming is Hard Work
Celebrity chef Curtis Stone, known for his culinary skills, recently shared his experiences of owning a farm in the Santa Monica Mountains. Stone, who bought the farm four years ago, humorously admitted that he is still learning the ropes of farm life.
“I had no idea how involved it was owning a farm,” Stone said, explaining how he deals with constant repairs due to falling trees. He confessed his chainsaw skills aren’t great, and that operating a tractor is also proving to be a challenge.
Despite his lack of farming expertise, Stone appreciates the open space and the idea of raising animals and growing vegetables. He notes that his family has chores, but getting them done is another story. His wife, Lindsay Price, enjoys helping with the grape harvest, likely looking forward to the wine more than the labor itself, he joked.
Stone’s farm, named Four Stones Farm, is located in Agoura Hills, near Malibu. While he may be a novice farmer, Stone is no stranger to hard work. The Australian chef has starred in several television shows and owns two restaurants in Los Angeles.
He also recalled a Thanksgiving disaster at the farm, admitting that his single oven couldn’t handle the workload, leading to a poorly timed meal. “You wouldn’t think that it happened to a chef, but it does,” he said, adding that a meat thermometer is a must for cooking poultry properly.
Stone shared stories of cooking for celebrities, including making Yorkshire pudding for Sharon Osbourne with James Corden watching. He also tricked Sebastian Maniscalco into trying chicken liver parfait, despite the comedian’s aversion to liver.
When asked about his dream dinner guests, Stone chose the Beatles, noting he once cooked a vegan meal for Paul McCartney, who complimented his cooking. His holiday cooking essentials are stuffing and gravy, and he enjoys frying a turkey, a tradition he picked up in America.
Stone’s experience shows that even accomplished individuals face challenges when venturing into new areas, but his positive attitude and willingness to learn are admirable.
