“honey almond salmon”
Ben Payton fondly remembers a celebrity moment in Morocco, where he toured during his first career. Ben and Humphrey Bogart might just have a little something in common. (Listen to audio: Ben’s First Filet) Inspired by his story, Duke students Dillon Patel and Stephani Zakutansky and UNC student Hannah Nemer took Ben out for a celebratory lunch. They thought he might enjoy a steak, but Ben had a different filet in mind. BEN: I’ll have the honey almond salmon. SERVER: That’s our most popular dish. [Server leaves] BEN: I knew what I wanted when I walked in the door. [Chuckles] -‐-‐-‐ DILLON: It’s a cultural thing for me. My grandparents have all been vegetarian at one point – for a couple months, a couple years. BEN: Are you a vegetarian? DILLON: No, never. [Laughs around the table] STEPHANI: Would you ever consider being vegetarian? BEN: [Shakes his head] I tried it, but it didn’t work for me. -‐-‐-‐ STEPHANI: If you had to give up salmon or beef, which would it be? BEN: Probably beef. STEPHANI: You like salmon more? BEN: I love salmon. I love salmon. DILLON: You can cook it, too? BEN: Ya, man! STEPHANI: How do you cook it? BEN: It’s a trial and error thing, but I’ve finally figured it out. I take and season it very lightly, you know. I put it in and let it get about medium done. Then I take butter, and lemon…and man, it’ll just melt in your mouth. [Turns to Dillon] So, you like salmon? DILLON: I eat salmon, but only when my mom cooks it at home. BEN: You cook? DILLON: No. My mom cooks everyday, though. STEPHANI: You haven’t learned how to cook? [Ben laughs] DILLON: I don’t have a kitchen! I live in a dorm! -‐-‐-‐ BEN: [In reference to his salmon] It’s not bad, but mine is better…