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‘Food Party’ creator Thu Tran: What’s in Your Fridge Friday?
Weird rules, not just in Austin.
I’ve written about Thu Tran’s wacky ‘Food Party’ video series that appears online and on IFC. The host and creator (her first name is pronounced “Tu”) has imagined a world even stranger than the one on Yo Gabba Gabba, which is easily one of the most imaginative kid shows in TV history.
Tran’s hand-crafted sets and use of green screens have drawn fans of all ages, as well as profiles New York Times and The Washington Post.
Tran will be in town for the South by Southwest Film Festival next week, and from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, she’ll be handing out free empanadas from Austin’s Mmmpanada food trailer to badgeholders at the IFC Crossroads House at the corner of Brazos and Sixth streets.
I talked to her earlier this week about her show, coming to Austin and, of course, her fridge.
Tran says she’s flattered by comparisons to other offbeat shows, saying some call her show “Pee Wee’s Playhouse” meets Rachael Ray. “I like fun colors and being goofy,” she says.
“I always loved food and eating and making food just for fun,” she says. Growing up in Cleveland, she didn’t know there was a whole culture of Asians like her who were obsessed with eating and the cute side of food. When she moved to New York, she found a community of other food-crazed creative types, and the idea for “Food Party” was born.
Even though it only takes a week to film two episodes, it takes a month to build the sets. “We go through tons of paint just because we can.” She originally aired the episodes online and in art galleries before being picked up by IFC last year.
Tran is in Austin for the film festival, but she’ll hit up some food parties, too. “I plan to go to some parties, ham it up with the industry types, mainly film stuff, but some food blogger events, too,” she says.
When she returns to New York after SXSW, she and her crew will be wrapping up episodes for the upcoming season, which will air on IFC on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. (CST) starting April 27.
What three things are always in your fridge?There’s always ketchup, something that’s leftover and something rotting. “You caught the fridge in a good time,” she says. “I had just thrown out rotting celery, parsley and asparagus.”
What’s your favorite condiment? Sriracha, kewpie mayo
What’s your go-to late-night snack? It’s always different, but yesterday it was salted vinegar potato chips. I love pizza rolls by Totino’s, Doritos and anything flaming hot.
Photo by Thu Tran.
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By Peter
March 15, 2010 4:35 PM | Link to this
Addie, I’m so glad you posted this article about Food Party - Thu Tran is hilarious! My friend Jon and I are big fans of the show, and it’s great that you’ve introduced it to so many new readers.
By Jeniffer Dunbar
June 21, 2011 6:33 AM | Link to this
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By Hallie Walthour
June 21, 2011 4:45 PM | Link to this
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