我是阿納海姆迪士尼酒店的執行大廚，80年代晚期，我開始為邁克爾.傑克遜服務，剛開始與他的私人廚師Mani Khalsa一起（後者在他的住所烹調），後來則獨立為他烹調。我被選為美國烹調組成員，這是一個很高的榮譽，在世界比賽中贏得3項烹調奧林匹克金牌，是這一精英廚師群中的第一位菲律賓/亞洲裔美國人。讓一個國際獲獎廚師在邁克爾的“第二個家”為他烹調再好不過了。Mani 和我通過傳真協調功能表和材料清單（那個年代還沒有email呢），於是邁克爾頻繁的來訪成為了“我的寶貝”。邁克爾在他事業頂峰的三個時期多次來訪迪士尼，在他每次與我們一起時，我很榮幸有機會為“流行音樂之王”服務。
不用說，他的地位需要最高級別的安保和服務。許多名人租用酒店一整層樓，但邁克爾的經理人會把上一層和下一層也租下來。邁克爾出行的後勤安排令人難以置信。從計畫進出套房的備用路線，到我目睹的客廳中精巧的偽裝設計。把邁克爾弄進或弄出“地球上最快樂的地方”需要驚人的努力。.
那時候邁克爾的功能表有一定挑戰性，因為他是一個素食者，我們準備食物時要遵守嚴格的指南。雖然我想引入一些菲律賓風格的菜肴，象Okoy，但我們得遵守邁克爾的飲食計畫。多種水果榨汁和果泥，蔬菜鍋和三明治，還有他最喜歡的菜，豆腐和帶有綠色番茄醬的乳酪卷餅。
如果邁克爾住在酒店，我就脫離日常事務，為他和他的隨從、客人24小時全天候待命。我為他建立專門的食物儲藏區，甚至是設備，如攪拌器、炊具、湯鍋、平底鍋，專為準備邁克爾的食物設計。我在大廚房準備食物，也在他的套房，這給我機會一瞥他的私人生活——實際上，只能盡可能私人，他有很多經理人和助理圍繞著他。
我在邁克爾的套房為他準備食物，有時候，他會招待一大群人。我烹調時，邁克爾彎進廚房，評價“食物聞起來看起來如何好“。他甚至品嘗一下我正在烹調的食物並讚美它。通過這些交流，我的第一印象就是邁克爾是溫文爾雅、安靜的和尊重別人的人。他要求不多，也不高調。這些感覺很快得到很好證明。一天晚上，邁克爾來到廚房，輕輕抓住我的手臂說：“大廚，過來坐下和我們一道吃晚餐吧。”邁克爾的周到和慷慨使我猝不及防，開始我拒絕了，但邁克爾堅持，於是很快，我不好意思地坐在餐桌的一頭，攪拌著盤子裏的食物，看著流行音樂之王進餐。
在為邁克爾服務過幾次後，親戚朋友叫我和他拍照作為留念。我從來不是收集簽名的人，我不想麻煩他拍照或簽名。但最終我投降了，我意識到應該記錄與邁克爾一起的經歷。於是，邁克爾再一次來訪時，我鼓起勇氣帶了一架相機到他的套房。每次我覺得機會合適時掏出相機，但又放回口袋，我實在不好意思。我意識到邁克爾很快將離開酒店，如果我不抓住機會就只能等他下一次來了。邁克爾在過道中走向我，他看到我不好意思拿出相機，再一次展現了他的善良，他的話緩解了所有壓力：“讓我們拍個照吧。”他把相機遞給助手，給我們拍了照。
邁克爾的環球巨星形象是由“包裝外殼”製造的，許多經理人和助理是必要的，因為對他的要求是巨大的。不過我感覺是他的“包裝外殼”要求超VIP待遇，不是邁克爾本人。一個例子，有一次我們把邁克爾的冰激淩放錯地方。在全力搜索後，最後終於找到了，但已經完全融化了。我不情願地向傑克遜的助手報告了這件事，心裏非常擔心因為這是邁克爾當晚的甜食。後來助手返回，簡短平靜地說，“冰激淩沒有問題，但我們是否可以用你們的停機坪? 因為我們將把一客邁克爾最喜歡的冰激淩今晚通過直升機送來。”這就是巨星待遇，但我想如果他知道取得一個冰激淩這麼麻煩，也會滿足於一個水果杯或其他甜品。
得知他去世的消息，我的第一反應是震驚和不相信。當確認一個接一個地傳來，我開始認識到“世界上最偉大的藝人”已經離開了我們。電視新聞網開始播放邁克爾演出的錄影。聽到邁克爾溫柔的聲音，我的喉嚨哽咽，淚水溢出我的眼睛。
悲傷的是，邁克爾.傑克遜，“世界最佳”，是名望的囚徒，因此，引發人們的爭議和紛亂的生活，引起猜測和臆斷。這些印象往往基於某人看到或聽到，而很少基於真正瞭解。對於我，我親歷了邁克爾的善良、 寧靜和謙遜，這是第一手的資訊。我將永遠懷念邁克爾。
Guest Contribution by Chef Larry Banares
I was the Executive Chef for the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim and it is there that I began cooking for Michael Jackson in the late eighties, first along with his personal chef Mani Khalsa who cooked at his residence, then on my own. I had just been selected as a member of the U.S. Culinary Team, a prestigious accomplishment, going on to win three Culinary Olympics gold medals in the world competition, as the first Pilipino / Asian American in this elite group of chefs. So who better to cook for Michael at his "second home" than an international awarding winning chef? Mani and I would coordinate menus and product list via fax (no e-mail in those days) so Michael's frequent visits became "my baby". Michael visited Disneyland several times over a three period at the height of his career and I was blessed with the opportunity of cooking for the "King of Pop" every time he stayed with us.
Needless to stay, his status commanded the utmost security and care. Many celebrities rent out an entire floor when staying at a hotel, but Michael's handlers would rent out the entire floor above and the entire floor below Michael's floor. The logistics in mapping out Michael's every move were mind-boggling. From developing alternate travel routes to and from his suite, to the elaborate disguises I witnessed laid out in his parlor, to the coordination of his entire meal service. It took amazing effort to get Michael to and from the " Happiest Place on Earth".
Michael's menus at the time were a bit challenging, as he was a vegetarian and we followed strict guidelines in preparing his meals. Although I would have loved to introduce a few Filipino inspired dishes such as my Okoy, it was all about adhering to Michael's meal plan. Lot ’s of fruit smoothies and purees, vegetarian casseroles and sandwiches, and his most favorite dish, tofu and cheese enchiladas with green tomatillo sauce.
With Michael in the hotel, I would "divorce" myself from the day-to-day operations to be on call “24/ 7” for Jackson, his entourage and guests. I would set up special storage areas for Michael's food products, even putting aside equipment, such as blenders utensils, pots and pans designated for “Michael’s food preparation only”. I would prepare Michael's food in our main kitchen as well as in his suite which offered me the opportunity to get a glimpse into his personal life, well, as personal as it could be, with the many handlers and assistants that surrounded him.
I would be in Michael's suite to prepare his dinners and at times, he would entertain large groups of people. Michael would wander into the kitchen while I was cooking and make comments on “how good the food smelled and looked”. He would even grab a taste of what I was cooking and comment favorably. It was through these exchanges that I drew my first impressions that Michael was a gentle, serene, and respectful person. He never appeared to be demanding or impressed with himself. These feelings would soon be confirmed in a big way. One evening Michael came to the kitchen, gently grabbed me by the arm and said, "Chef, you're going to sit down and have dinner with us". Totally caught off guard by Michael's thoughtfulness and generosity, I at first declined but Michael persisted and shortly I found myself sitting shyly at the end of the table, stirring food around on my plate, watching the King of Pop have dinner.
After cooking for Michael a number of times, I was asked by family and friends to take a picture with Michael as a keepsake. Never the autograph-seeker, I did not want to impose upon him to ask for a photo or an autograph. But I finally succumbed, realizing that I should that I should somehow document my experiences with Michael. So, during a visit, I got up enough courage to bring a camera to his suite. I kept taking the camera out of my pocket every time I thought the opportunity was right, only to return it due to my own shyness. I realized that Michael would soon be leaving the hotel and this was my chance or I may have to wait until his next visit. As Michael walked toward me in the hallway, he saw me fumbling to get the camera out and again a testament to his kindness, he took all the pressure off by saying, "Let's take a picture!" as he handed the camera to one of his assistants who snapped the photo.
Michael's global mega-star image was created by the persona. It was necessary to have the many handlers and assistants, as the demands put upon him were immense, but I feel his persona demanded ultra VIP treatment, not Michael the person. One example that stands out is an occasion where we misplaced Michael's ice cream. After all-out, property-wide search, it was later found, totally melted. I reluctantly reported this to Jackson ’s aid, terribly worried because it was Michael's dessert that evening. The aid returned shortly, calmly saying, "The ice cream is no problem., but can we use your helio-port because we're going to have a pint of Michael's favorite ice cream delivered via helicopter for his dinner tonight." This is the treatment that a mega-star commands, but I think Michael would have easily settled for a fruit cup or another kind of dessert if he knew how much effort it took to get his ice cream.
Upon learning of his passing, my initial reaction was that of shock and disbelief. As the confirmations rolled in one after the other, I began to come to grips that the "World's Greatest Entertainer" had left us. The television news networks began running videos of Michael's many performances. And upon hearing Michael's gentle voice in a sound bite, a lump developed in my throat and my eyes welled up with tears.
Michael Jackson "The World's Best Ever" was sadly a prisoner of his own fame. And because of this, led a controversial and tumultuous life, leading many to speculate and make assumptions. These impressions are often based on what one sees or hears, but rarely based upon what one really knows. For me, I witnessed Michael's kindness, serenity, and humility and I did so firsthand, and this is how I will always remember Michael Jackson.
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