Name:Kimmy C.
Date: 7/24/00
Dear Curtis,
I am planning a dialogue dinner for 8 male friends. It's sort of a networking, mentoring,
bonding type of gathering. I will simply act as a hostess and want to serve a nice
uncumbersome (is that a word?) meal and of course a nice bottle of wine to top it off. I
want to serve chicken (not fried), some kind of grilled vegetables (I think) and I'm not
sure what else would go with that and a light dessert afterwards. Also, I want to serve
both red and white wine. I like Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Moscato D'Asti . Would any
of these work? I’m not sure about red wines. I'd appreciate your suggestions...
Thanks!
Kimmy C.
Click Here for Curtis's response
Name: Vanessa Hopkins
Date: 04/10/00
Dear Curtis:
I have watched you on TV Food Network for several years now. In many ways you are an
inspiration to me, so when I heard you were part of the Cooking Across America tour, I HAD
to see you! I traveled to Indianapolis early last Fall and, I must say, it was worth every
bit of the driving and money it took to be there! I had the pleasure of seeing you again
yesterday at the Food Network Live event in Cincinnati! You, WITHOUT A DOUBT, make these
events rock! Your energy penetrated through the entire event! I bought your "Curtis
Cooks with Heart and Soul" cookbook (yes, you autographed it!) and I read it from top
to bottom as soon as I got home last night. The personal stories you share with each
recipe really documents that your heart is in the right place and that you truly love many
things, including cooking, your family, and life! I am 34, single, and have no children,
but like you, hope and pray to have a "whole" family some day. You motivate me
to be a better person and take better care of myself -- so, during the times that I'm not
feeling very positive about things, I will pick up that cookbook, or watch your show, and
I'm sure I will feel better! You do that without even knowing it -- that's the amazing
part to me.
I know that you are so busy, but would love to receive a response from you. In the
meantime, don't change a thing about yourself! You are truly unique!
Vanessa Hopkins
Cincinnati, OH
Name: Mary B.
Date : 04/03/00
Dear Curtis,
Did you ever know that you're my hero!
My husband and I have been learning to appreciate vegetables much more since we've been
watching you on Pick of the Day. The vegetables don't wilt in the refrigerator any more. I
try to use them within 3 days just like you said.
Your veggie burger recipes give me ideas for veggie burger and veggie loaf recipies of my
own. I use tofu instead of egg as a binder for cooked (roasted or sauteed) veggies,
bulgar, oatmeal and breadcrumbs. Those are my latest veggie burgers. They taste different
each time. Sauteed or roasted fennel is the "bomb" in a veggie burger. My latest
burger had roasted carrots, broccoli, fennel, shitake mushrooms and roasted garlic. Thanks
to you, Curtis, my husband and I don't have to worry about getting our five fruits and
vegetables a day.
So a high five to you Curtis!!
From Mary and Paul B.
Name: MEILYN G. & LUIS C.
Date: 3/1/00
About two years ago I met you in Plantation Fl.
you brougt my little 7 year old boy up on stage
ever since then all he will talk about is Curtis
this and Curtis that. He will watch your show
every time it comes on.I told him about your
life and how you learned to read at a late
age and how important you think school is.
Well the main reason I'm writing you is to
tell you he is now in the gifted program at
school and I have you to thank because of
you he now loves school.Thank you so much
and please never stop what you are doing.
You are my son's role model and I couldn't
ask for a better person for him to pick.
I just want you to know that god had a
plan for you and your doing a great job.
god bless you,
Meilyn G. & Luis C
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!! My heart is overflowing with thankfulness for the opportunities of this week and especially your visit to our community. I know students and adults alike were attentive to your story. I pray that they will respond and we will be ready to meet the need.
Thank you for encouraging our community. Thursday I truly felt I was in the center of God's will for my life. Do you know what I mean? To sense that you were doing exactly what He wanted you to do at that moment in time. I am confident He will help Family Connection to prepare for the next step in improving the quality of life for our families and children. We meet this coming Tuesday at Gully Branch to do our quarterly planning and evaluation. Literacy and Leadership Day will definitely be a highlight of our discussion.
May you sense God's presence and guidance in a special way this day!
Your co-worker in education,
Wanda T. Barrs
August 30th, 2001
Curtis,
I want to congratulate you on the personal successes you've accomplished in life. I
first started watching you on the HOME show. I was in college at the time.
Watching and listening to you and your experiences made a deciding factor in my
life. I went on to graduate with an elementary education degree. I get
saddened by youngsters who shun away from books because they don't yet have the ability to
read. When I come across these students in the classrooms, I think of you. You are
my angel in helping these kids to succeed in reading. I know your road was not easy,
but you've
made it! Congratulations!!
~Michelle
August 6th, 2001
Dear Mr. Aikens,
How sweet you are to share your experience of not begin able
to read, education is a must for anyone, its a shame that we all don't get the same chance
at schools as others, but we have to keep trying. I love your shows and I love to see your
mom, she is a lucky woman to have a son like you. Well, you keep on telling the world
about education, and we will keep sending you hugs from Stockton California. We love you
and you take care.
~Tina B.
August 10, 2001
Dear Curtis Aikens,
My name is Ryan E. I am 18 years old. I live in Louisville Kentucky. I
met you for the first time at the show called cooking across America in Cincinnati Ohio.
At the end of your show you and me got our picture taken by my mother .
My mother told you I am dyslexic after you said you could not
read until age 24. What college did you go to? If not how did you get more
experience . Curtis do you know any college that you think would be good for
me. What I am looking for a school that you just cook, no math and stuff like
that. Curtis, after the show in Cincinnati Ohio I knew if you could be a chef
then I can to and I will. Curtis you are my friend and hero too. Curtis
I was watching your show on April 30, 2001 you said you have friends in Holland
Michigan. Can you stop in next summer in Saugatuck Michigan at the Presbyterian
church camps or come to Kentucky? Curtis do you have a restaurant. If you do,
where is it?
Write Back Soon.
Ryan E.
click here for
Curtis' response
August 12, 2001
My son is also 15 and reads at a 2nd grade level. I and his many teachers and tutors are at a loss as to what to do. He is stubborn, proud and very good at masking his inability to read. He is an excellent auditory learner, always answering orally as you did. My question is, what finally got you to learn to read? It's breaking my heart to see him refuse help from me (he won't read to me, and yet the teacher keeps telling me to "work with him at home".) He will be a Freshman this fall in a school for kids with behavior problems, but I feel that many of his problems stem from not being able to read, and thus feeling different from other people. He is so smart in many ways and wants to get an after school job like his older brother, but he can't fill out a job application!
I came to your web site to look for your " Potatoes Like Lasagna" recipe and read your bio. I knew you supported literacy, but I didn't know you yourself overcame it. Any suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated.
Congratulations on your many successes, and thank you for your time.
Susan L.
Watertown, WI
July 22, 2001
Dear Curtis,
We met at the Chelsea Piers event this past Tuesday night. My name is Jeanne and we discussed briefly on the incorporation of chemistry and cooking. As I had told. you, I have an incredible love for cooking and food, but I also have a passion for biology and chemistry.
Right now, I am in my third year of college. I am a biology major and am on route to become a veterinarian. However, there are times when I question whether or not it is my true calling. Sometimes I think that my future should be in food. So, I am trying to figure out if there is a field that involves both science and food.
I thought that you would be a perfect person to ask advice on this subject. being a chef yourself. I understand that you probably have an incredibly busy schedule. If you could somehow help me out, I will be truly appreciative and forever in debt.
Before I press send, I just wanted to let you know that I am so happy to have met you, a celebrity. I was dumbfounded to see how much of a real and genuine person you are. I couldn't believe that you actually took the time out to talk to me. I just wanted to thank you for making my day! I also would like to add that your show is great and I watch it as much as I can.
Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Jeanne M.
click here for
Curtis' response
July 26th, 2001
"We enjoyed meeting you at the Cooking Across America in Philadelphia. As you know, my mother Ruth E. Michael was Mr. Bill Cosby's Chef for his show here in Philly "You Bet Your Life". My daughter Amber will always treasure your cookbook. Although, only four we're starting her off very early in the kitchen. We admire your enthusiastic attitude towards literacy."
Continued Success and God Bless.
Ms. R. Drayton,
July 22, 2001
Curtis, it was pleasure meeting you at the Chefs Event on July 20 at Chelsea Pier.
My fourteen year old son was very excited to meet you and speak with you, and as a parent I was totally impressed with how you interacted not only with my son, but with the event goers that approached you.
You told us to email you and give you our information for your staff to contact us so that he can be invited to be on your show in which you will be featuring children. Also I would like to remind you that he is an insulin dependent diabetic. He has had diabetes for six years and is totally in control of his own illness. As you can imagine he is my hero.
I myself am a very serious cook who does most of the cooking in our house and the Food Network is on constantly. My son enjoys cooking also and likes to help me.
Thank you again.
A. Pagano
