Chef. Harmonica player. Reality TV star. Sausage King of Venice Beach. Karaoke champion. Comic book nerd. Host with the most. Is there anything Adam Gertler can't do??
Philadelphians probably remember Adam as the chef at Locust Street's dearly departed The Smoked Joint: A Barbecue Experience, where both his cooking chops and his karaoke skills were on frequent display. (Yes, that was him, answering to "Doc G" and scooting around the floor flat on his back, squawking along to "Midnight Rambler" on his harmonica, his flame-embroidered suspenders hoisting his chef's pants up). He has since competed on season four of Food Network's "Next Food Network Star," making it to the finals, and hosted two follow-up series, "Will Work for Food" and "Kid in a Candy Store." Although he left Food Network in favor of hosting "FX Movie Download," his love of food drove him to amateur sausage making, and he is now the official Wurstmacher of West Coast-based Dog Haus Dogs. In his spare time (ha!) he lets his inner comic book nerd loose on a weekly podcast, "DC Movie News," and puts those karaoke-honed harmonica skills to good use with The Freedom Ledges.
In short: whatever your preferred flavor of Nerd Hot, there's something for you at the Doc G Buffet.
Adam was kind enough to catch his breath and answer our pressing questions. He doesn't bite unless asked or provoked (and no, much to his chagrin, the Wolverine claws are not, in fact, permanently attached to his adamantium-encased skeleton).
1.What's your idea of a perfect date?
Adam Gertler: One where the conversation is flowing without ever having to think about the flow of conversation. When the date's over and you wish it wasn't. I love food, so I can learn a lot about people from how they eat; what they eat; if they care about what they eat at all. If someone thinks that food is no big deal, and merely a means of sustenance, she's probably not a great match for me.
2. What do most guys do wrong when they're out with a girl?
AG: I think trying to dominate the conversation and 'sell yourself' is a big mistake. The best thing you can do on a date is make a girl laugh -- but you need to get a sense of her humor, or else you risk the pitfalls of perceived douchebaggery. Being complimentary is good; too much is no good. And there's something to be said for playing it a little cool.
3. What's the worst thing a girl can do on a date?
AG: Talk about her ex in a positive way. Other than that, general negativeness is pretty unattractive to me. Negativeness about herself, even worse. Confidence is very sexy to me.
Tell us a secret!
AG: I'm afraid that I'll never find someone that loves me as much as I love them -- or vice versa. The odds of a long-term match seem farther away the older I get. Recently, I've been involved with people that I was pretty into, and it was ultimately unrequited. Conversely, I'll go out with someone and she'll fall hard and fast, and I find myself wondering, "Is this ever going to add up to something equal?"
4. What advice would you give a younger version of yourself about dating?
AG: Don't be afraid to approach someone you're attracted to. Don't be so scared of rejection (it's only a 'no'...) Slow down; it's not a drag race, cowboy.
5. What would you put on a mixtape for a woman that you liked?Yes, gals, he is single and looking, so go ahead and dust off your best karaoke standard / sausage joke / fangirl story about meeting Stan Lee and say hello on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
AG: "Ramblin', Gamblin' Man" - Bob Seger
"40 Day Dream" - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
"Can't You Hear Me Knocking" - The Rolling Stones
"Jersey Girl" - Tom Waits
"Isis" - Bob Dylan (Rolling Thunder Revue)
"Into the Mystic" - Van Morrison
"It Ain't Me Babe" - Johnny Cash
"Alison" - Elvis Costello
"Something" - The Beatles
"One More Cup of Coffee" - Jack White
"Loving Cup" - The Rolling Stones
"Comes a Time" - Neil Young
