The average middle-class child aquires trophies, medals and ribbons like so many Christmas toys - and they are often treated similarly, briefly prized and then forgotten. Rare is the tweener bedroom that does not display a trove of awards, most of it the bounty of organized sport.
But in 10-year-old Daniel's bedroom, there's a somewhat uncommon specimen. There, over by the rotating aquarium night light and next to the dog-eared decks of Pokemon cards, is a bronze-colored trophy featuring a chef in apron and kerchief triumphantly holding what appears to be a carving knife and fork.
Also on display is Daniel's own toque and chef's apron. At least that's where they can usually be found when he's not wearing them - as he often tends to do lately when re-reading his various cookbooks at bedtime.
Do other children behave this way? It all seems a bit peculiar to his parents. But then they've come to expect the unexpected from raising children who rarely fit the mold, so why not the souffle dish?
It all started several years ago. Daniel was always the adventurous eater demonstrating a taste for sushi and steamed lobster when his older sister preferred cold cereal, preferably bland. Where Anna loved softball, Daniel's future as a major league baseball player seemed doubtful - aside from the possibility of being a top draft pick for the hapless Nationals, of course, but surely he has too much pride for that.
Oh, he's tried his hand at most every sport. At some, (swimming, for instance) he's done rather well. But we'd yet to see him muster much passion for any of it. Art and music have been much the same. He can take them or leave them depending on his mood.
Not so watching the Food Network. While other kids may be addicted to Sponge Bob and super heroes, Daniel was glued to the set whenever Bobby Flay or Mario Batali was on. Cooking competitions were his favorite. Some boys memorize batting average; he knows Cat Cora's win-loss record on Iron Chef.
But here was the parental dilemma: Was this something to be encouraged, or was this a budding coach potato au gratin to be dispatched to the nearest playground? Truth be told, watching Baltimore's Ace of Cakes Duff Goldman isn't likely to make you a baker any more than watching "Scrubs," "House" and "Grey's Anatomy" can turn you into a surgeon.
