A Taste of the Story: 15 Years of Culinary Storytelling at UnoDeuce

For 25 years, UnoDeuce Multimedia has been telling stories through video. Some stories have focused on nonprofits, businesses and community leaders. Others have taken viewers somewhere entirely different: the kitchen. For roughly 15 years, UnoDeuce brought culinary storytelling to broadcast television and YouTube, working with hosts who turned recipes, travel, family and a whole lot of personality into engaging programming.

As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, UnoDeuce brought three of those hosts together for a special Mission Control conversation: Cathy Lentini of Cooking with Cathy, Dan Vaillancourt of Functified Food with Dan Vaillancourt and Alexandria Drzazgowski, now Ulmer, of The Foreign Fork. Their stories offer a look not only at the shows themselves, but at the relationships, unexpected moments and behind-the-scenes work that made them possible.

Three Shows, Three Stories

Cathy’s journey began more than two decades ago during a transition in her life. With her children growing up, she was looking for something new. An introduction through Comcast and encouragement from her husband helped open the door to television, and Cooking with Cathy was born. Paul Schmidt was initially an intern when he became involved with the show, eventually becoming an important part of its production. Cathy and Paul worked together for roughly 15 years, creating a program that combined her love of cooking with the creative possibilities of video.

Dan’s path to Functified Food was different. He and Paul initially connected through music, but Paul also noticed Dan’s food photography. That sparked an idea: combine Dan’s musical background and personality with his passion for food. The result was Functified Food, a show built around Dan’s unique approach to cooking and his creative flair.

Then there was Alexandria and The Foreign Fork. Her interest in food was closely connected to her love of international cultures and travel. Her goal was to cook a meal from every country, using food as a way to explore and share culture. A family connection eventually introduced her to Paul, leading to a YouTube collaboration that brought those global culinary experiences to a broader audience.

Learning in Front of the Camera

None of the hosts started out completely comfortable in front of a camera. There were nerves, learning curves and plenty of moments that could have gone differently.

Alexandria remembers her first episode as particularly stressful because she wasn’t as prepared as she wanted to be. Paul helped provide the reassurance she needed, reminding her that she had what it took to be a host.

“You are good at this. You have a great aura. You are going to be an incredible host, and you just need to have confidence.”

That encouragement became part of the larger story of these productions. Behind the polished episodes were people learning how to work with cameras, lighting, recipes, editing and everything else that goes into producing a show.

The hosts’ homes often became the sets, creating an intimate and authentic feel while also creating plenty of logistical challenges. Recipes had to be tested. Equipment had to be positioned. Lighting had to be set. Episodes had to be edited and, in some cases, prepared for cable distribution. What looked simple on screen required plenty of preparation behind it.

The Moments You Remember

And then there were the moments that no amount of planning could create. Cathy remembers a cooking spoon catching fire. Dan recalls fire-roasted vegetables and outdoor cooking segments. Alexandria looks back fondly on an episode featuring her Canadian aunt and Canadian dessert recipes.

Those moments mattered because they brought personality into the programming. For Cathy, some of her most meaningful memories involved her father. He was the cook in the family and a source of encouragement throughout her culinary journey. He would call and ask, “What are we going to cook this month?” and sometimes join her on the show.

After he passed away, Cathy eventually decided it was time to end Cooking with Cathy.

“But when my dad had passed, that was the year that I stopped. Because a part of me, I’m a very emotional person, and that part of me, I lost it because my dad was such an inspiration to me.”

It was a reminder that sometimes the stories behind a show are even more meaningful than what viewers see on screen.

More Than a Cooking Show

The hosts also remember the people watching.

Alexandria particularly valued hearing from viewers who had been nervous about cooking or had never attempted something before. When someone said a video helped a recipe finally make sense, that feedback meant something. The shows also occasionally found unexpected audiences online. Videos appeared on YouTube’s homepage, views climbed and friends suddenly called to announce that someone was “famous.”

Of course, online attention came with criticism, too. As Dan noted, there was always the possibility of internet controversy or people saying things they might not say face to face.

Still, the positive connections remained.

Eventually, life changed. Alexandria moved to North Carolina. Dan’s family responsibilities grew. Cathy faced the changing realities of sponsorship and production. The shows came to an end, but the experiences did not disappear.

The Story Behind the Story

Looking back, these culinary programs represent another chapter in the UnoDeuce story. They were about food, but they were also about people. They were about trying something new, learning how to tell a story on camera, working together and connecting with viewers.

And maybe that’s the best recipe of all.

After 25 years, UnoDeuce continues to find new ways to tell stories. These cooking shows are a reminder that sometimes those stories are found in unexpected places, including a kitchen, around a dinner table or in the memories of the people who helped make them.