Interview with Celebrity Chef Graham Elliot

By Shane Salmonson

Collectors are everywhere! Lately I have come across many fellow collectors that I never would have expected, my UPS driver included (apparently he reads my blog). Another unexpected collector I recently stumbled upon is celebrity chef Graham Elliot! Graham was kind enough to answer some questions about his collection!

9 Trading Card Frame Kit

SPORTS BOARDS® Pinstripe Sports Frame Kit. View Both the FRONT AND BACK of the Cards. 14 x 11″ frame with nine windows that hold standard Trading Cards.

BU: Can you give us some background on yourself?

GE: Michelin starred award winning chef who judged/hosted 10 seasons of MasterChef on Fox and is current judge on Top Chef. Has traveled through all 50 states, is a lifelong baseball fan that has been to 26 of 30 ballparks and did a show with MLB (The Grub Tour) showcasing food around the parks.

BU: How were you introduced to the trading card hobby?

GE: As long as I can remember I not only collected but designed cards, and also practiced perfecting the art of copying players’ signatures!

BU: What do you currently collect?

GE: Now that I’m in a better financial situation I’ve decided to pursue all the cards I’ve always wanted since growing up.

BU: Out of anything you could collect, why baseball cards?

GE: I feel cards are pieces of art, but instead of canvas they’re on cardboard. They represent a simpler time in America, represent boyhood innocence and tell a story.

Toploaders – Misc. Single Cards

NEW** TOP LOADER for Vintage Cards 2-3/4 x 4″ inside dimensions Made from 16 gauge crystal clear, rigid vinyl. Top loading.

BU: Any favorite pieces from your collection you’d like to share?

GE: 1888 N-162 Goodwin Champions Cap Anson
1909 E-101 Christy Mathewson
1911 T-206 Ty Cobb 
1914 Cracker Jack Mordecai Brown
1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig
1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #149
1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio 
1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
1954 Johnson’s Cookies Hank Aaron
1959 Hoshi Gangu Sadaharu Oh
1992 Team Pinnacle Frank Thomas
1960 Hemmets Muhammad Ali

BU: What cards would be on your collecting wish list?

GE: 1934 Zee-nut Joe DiMaggio
1915 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson
1922 American Caramel Babe Ruth
1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson 
1948 Leaf Satchel Paige

BU: As a collector, what was it like to be featured on your own Topps card?

GE: My absolute favorite “award/recognition” I’ve ever received, hands down.

BU: How many copies of that card have you acquired?

GE: Haha; I’ve bought over 200 as I like to use em as my business card.

Archival Trading Card Boxes

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BU: In your industry, how often do you come across fellow collectors?

GE: Never have

BU: A little off topic, but what would are your top 3 ballpark foods?

GE: Probably the 3 I’ve offered at Wrigley Field each year as a guest chef:

Lobster CornDog with Lemon Aioli, Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Tomato Jam and Fried Chicken Biscuit Sandwich with Tabasco Mayo and Creamy Slaw

Chef Graham Elliot

www.grahamelliot.com
twitter @grahamelliot
instagram @grahamslamcards

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