NBC’s Today Show Interviews Pan Pacific Chef Daryle Ryo Nagata

Yesterday morning Pan Pacific’s Executive Chef Daryle Nagata was invited up to Grouse Mountain to be a special guest on NBC’s Today Show.

NBC Hosts of the Today Show

For the duration of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, the popular American morning talk show is airing live coverage from North Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain.  Each morning, anchor Matt Lauer and his crew discuss all things Olympics and hold exclusive interviews with recent medal winners and athletes.

The Pan Pacific’s Daryle Nagata

Invited on set for a special cooking feature with hosts Al Roker and Natalie Morales was Executive Chef Daryle Ryo Nagata.

In front of more than 7 million viewers, Daryle had the chance to give the audience a taste of traditional Aboriginal food from the West Coast of Canada.

Later that day, I asked Daryle about his experience on the Emmy winning morning show:

It was an wonderful experience for me and a privilege to be asked to come on the show.  It was a real honor to reach so many people and to represent my region and my country.  I really believe Canada has many beautiful things to offer, including its unique cuisine and it was a pleasure to share it with the world.

On peeking behind-the-scenes of the Today Show:

The show is truly remarkable, I’ve never seen such an organized team of people working together to make a broadcast come alive.  There were so many things you don’t get to see on camera and so much happening behind the scenes that brought the show together.  It was really like watching a symphony or orchestra performing!  Another huge perk was getting the chance to meet some of the Olympic athletes!

The Newest Stars

Yesterday’s show also saw a number of guest appearances which included Canada’s recent gold medal winners in ice dancing, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.

Daryle got a chance to take a quick pic before their segment!

Team Canada and Chef Daryle

Also on hand was USA’s silver medal winners, Meryle Davis and Charlie White who are shown here with Pan Pacific`s PR spokeswoman – Marie Rogers

Team USA and Marie Rogers

Daryle and his team of chefs have prepared a unique menu for the public to enjoy during the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver which include the traditional Native food displayed on the show.

The chefs at the Pan Pacific will be cooking authentic First Nations cuisine to compliment the Kla-how-ya Aboriginal Village – a public display of Aborignal art and culture free to the public during the Games.