A Recipe for Success? Chef Ellie's Oprah Quest

The phone rings just once before being picked up.

"Hi there!" exclaims Ellen Esposito, and even on the other end of the phone line, the Caldwell resident's current state of excitement is palpable.

Esposito, 57, is in the midst of a Cinderella story of sorts. With the support of her husband, Anthony, who has been overindulging in his wife's 30-year passion for cooking, "Chef Ellie" has launched a Web site that contains more than 70 cooking videos and will be teaching at Chef's Lab, which opened earlier this month in Montclair.

Oh, and then there's a certain little vote-getting video clip, too.

For the past month, a "Chef Ellie" segment has been featured on Oprah Winfrey's "Your Own Show" Web site. It's entered in a contest the TV icon is sponsoring, where the winner could end up on Winfrey's new network.  

The Secret Ingredient: Your Vote

So far, more than 70,000 have voted for Chef Ellie's "Cooking on the Block" segment. Even for non-chefs, Esposito's dialogue as she makes her "Portabella Margarita" is clear and entertaining, and her energy is contagious.  

Chef Ellie is one of the top-10 vote-getters, but the No. 1 video has received more than 600,000 votes in the contest, which runs through July 3.

While Esposito is hoping to surpass 100,000 votes, she'll cherish this experience no matter the outcome.

"No matter what happens, it's been great," she said. "I've had fun, and I've made a lot of new friends."

Chef Ellie dished out some of her secrets last week with The Caldwells Patch.

Caldwells Patch: When did you first develop your passion for cooking?

Ellen Esposito: About 30 years ago. At the time, I  was a trained medical technician, working in a hospital. 

CP: How did you learn to cook?

EE: I am self-taught. I remember cooking with my mom and aunt.

CP: So this really has been a longtime passion...

EE: Yes, and with the help of my husband, Anthony ... he's my videographer and more. He came home with a "Flip" camera one day and said, "come on, let's take your craft to another level." And we started about a year ago—I have to say, I wasn't good in the beginning. Now, you can see a marked improvement! (laughs) Anthony is a maniac with technology!

CP: Is the Oprah Winfrey contest your first serious push into the big time?

EE: Absolutely,  though I have a cookbook in the works...

CP: Regarding the "Portabella Margarita" in your Oprah submission video—is that your signature dish?

EE: Not necessarily—it was someting I came up with—and I love Italian cooking. The video had to be three minutes, so it had to be quick—and delicious.

CP: In addition to creating videos for your Web site, you're cooking at Chef's Lab in Montclair?

EE: Yes, I will be starting there in August. I will be doing that once a week. 

CP: Do you also make desserts?

EE: I like to make things that are in season. Right now, I am into blueberry pie and I also like to make a fresh lemon mousse. In the winter, I like apple pie. I use things that are available for the time. I don't use many canned goods—when you have to, you have to, but I try to be as fresh as possible!

CP:  I know you're busy cooking, but are there any restaurants in The Caldwells that you like?

EE: Yes, yes—Luce is great! I also like Caldwell Seafood.

CP: How is the contest going?

EE: We are still in the top-10 out of 200 videos, and we actually started two weeks later than many. I'm not really looking at only the numbers. From what I understand, the producers also pick the person. I've been blessed, no matter how it goes!

CP: So, there's obviously a lot of suspense and work involved. Is it still a lot of fun at this point?

EE: Oh, yes—if nothing else comes of it, it's something my husband and I are doing together, you know? It's just a journey—I'm taking a carpet ride!

To vote for Chef Ellie, visit her Web site and click on "Vote" at the top of the page and you'll be directed to her segment on the Oprah Winfrey Web site.