A Love Story Cooked Up in the Kitchen: Chuck and Hailee's Recipe for Romance
Love at first taste! In a world where culinary skills often take center stage, it's easy to overlook the romance that can simmer beneath the surface. Today, we're delving into the heartwarming story of Chuck Cruz and Hailee Catalano, a chef duo whose love story is as mouthwatering as their Friday night dinners.
Each week, an online audience tunes in eagerly, watching Chuck and Hailee whip up culinary delights, from beach sandwiches to mouthwatering steaks. Their videos are a soothing escape, a hunger-inducing journey, and an endless source of entertainment. With their adorable dog, Gus, making frequent appearances and their pure joy for cooking on full display, their kitchen is a far cry from the high-pressure environment of The Bear.
The couple's journey began in 2012 at The Culinary Institute of America. Paired as station partners in a fundamentals class, their first impression of each other couldn't have been more different. Chuck, who had worked at The Cheesecake Factory and a Chinese buffet, was two hours late on the first day and gave the chef a run for their money. Hailee, a high school cooking competition winner, thought he was an intense, skilled chef. Little did she know!
"I was really bad," Chuck admits. On the first day, when asked about the five mother sauces, he was clueless. Hailee, on the other hand, knew them all. It was a mismatch made in culinary heaven.
"When we were paired together, we would both try to help each other out," Hailee says. "It was fun. I realized he's not intense. He's just a goofy, funny guy."
They started dating in 2014, and their culinary partnership flourished. Working together in restaurant kitchens in Chicago and Jersey City, they discovered a unique dynamic. "We're just good at cooking together for some reason. The dynamic is hard usually, working with someone in a high-pressure situation. But we always just know where the other person is going," Hailee explains.
In 2020, Hailee joined TikTok, and their online presence took off. With nearly two million followers, their cooking videos have become a way for them to spend quality time together. "When we compare how we used to cook together in high stress, to now—we still enjoyed it then—but now it's really our time of enjoyment and spending time together," Hailee says.
Even when they worked on the line together, they looked forward to cooking for fun on their days off. Longer projects like braises, stews, or pasta were their way of unwinding. "Now when we do it, it brings back those days," Chuck adds.
Their first Valentine's Day together as culinary school students was a memorable one. They went to Burger King, and the fast-food joint had gone all out for the occasion with tablecloths and roses. "A chicken sandwich and a slushee at a plastic pink tablecloth at Burger King—that was the perfect Valentine's Day for me," Hailee recalls.
While they dream of opening a restaurant one day, for now, they cherish the simple joy of sharing their passion with each other. "It's just nice to be with someone who loves what you love too, and you get to do it together," Hailee says.
So, without further ado, Chuck and Hailee share their favorite Valentine's Day recipe. A classic and elegant dish, this salmon and citrus tartare with potato chips is a celebration of love and flavor.
Salmon and Citrus Tartare with Potato Chips
Guajillo Oil
- 1 cup olive oil
- 5 guajillos, stem and seeds removed, cut into 1-inch pieces and toasted
- 2 teaspoons annatto powder
- 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
- 2 orange peels, shaved with a vegetable peeler
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
Tartare
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 1 medium blood orange, peeled and finely diced
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 finger chile, minced
- 3 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh chives
- ¼ cup sliced Castelvetrano olives
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon fish sauce
- 5 ounces high-quality salmon, diced very small (kept chilled until ready to toss)
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Flake salt, for topping
- Kettle-cooked potato chips, for serving
And there you have it—a recipe for romance!
But here's where it gets controversial... Do you think a fast-food Valentine's Day is as romantic as a fancy restaurant? Share your thoughts in the comments! We'd love to hear your take on this unique love story.
