Confessions of a Soup Nazi: An Adventure in Acting and Cooking

"...So it was finally here--shoot night! The bleachers were full and from what I heard, mostly important industry people. I must admit waiting for my first scene after the cameras were rolling on the first Jerry's-living-room scene made me a little nervous. Sure I'd been acting for quite a few years and in every different situation. I'd done theater where set pieces have fallen in front of an audience, actors not showing up for an entrance in front of an audience, improv comedy in front of an audience where anything could happen, and film where the close-up is all powerful. The close-up on film is very exciting as everyone has already done their work to get to that moment. So if it's your close-up, you can make or break everyone else's work. It's up to you. If you nail it, you're
everyone's hero. If you blow it, there is more work for all. But still, I was a little nervous.  This was Seinfeld after all, the hottest show on TV. When it was time for us to move into the soup kitchen for my first scene and I took my place behind the counter, the thought struck me, with four film cameras rolling--if I blew a take, would it not cost more than they were paying me? That kind of blew my mind. (Okay, I grew up in the sixties)...
 
...And then came the awful sound that you shouldn't hear until the scene is over, and you know you nailed it. "Cut!" My stomach knotted. "Was it something I did?" 
 
Read Confessions of a Soup Nazi; An Adventure in Acting and Cooking  for this and many other stories and the recipes that follow.  Every story has a recipe and every recipe has a story.

Larry Thomas is an actor most recognized for his Emmy nominated performance as "The Soup Nazi" from Seinfeld. Larry has been an actor for thirty-five years and is a veteran of many television shows, films, and hundreds of theatre performances. Born in Brooklyn, NY Larry has been many things including bail bondsman, bartender and brain surgeon (well not really brain surgeon but it rounded out the three b's. Actually you can add janitor to that list, just as important in some circles, let's face it). As a father, Larry is grateful for his family and career. During a life of hard work Larry always found time for his only three hobbies: watching movies and TV, cooking and running (though not necessarily at the same time). Having had his lifelong fantasy of being on the big and small screen come true, he is now using his college journalism degree and adding author to that repertoire. This entertaining autobiography/cook book will take you through the life of a dedicated actor who became an "overnight success" after 15 years . . . overnight being 15 years. It is his favorite recipes interspersed with stories about getting that "big break", everything that led him to that point, and all the fun things that follow along with some favorite, never before seen photos. Doesn't everyone want the Soup Nazi's favorite recipes? Elaine certainly did. As an amateur cook and the son of a restaurateur, how ironic that he became one of the most famous television "chefs" of all time.