Chef Irvine does what comes naturally

For Robert Irvine, a popular member of the U.S. Food Network's stable of chefs, wanting to help others with a dinner event, salvage a restaurant or teach cooking basics is as much a part of him as is breathing.

"I think it comes naturally to me," Irvine said in a telephone interview with United Press International. "In the military I did the same thing. It's an extension of who I am."

While he'll help if asked, he has one big caveat: "Don't call me if you're not going to fix it in the correct way."

Also, a great attitude and a willingness to learn are necessary because if either is lacking, "there's nothing I can do for you," said Irvine, a successful restaurateur who's scouting properties to add to his Hilton Head, S.C., restaurant.

His three shows on Food Network -- "Dinner: Impossible," "Restaurant: Impossible" and "Worst Cooks in America" -- allow him to mentor others and fix potentially disastrous situations.

"Restaurant: Impossible" expands on the premise for "Dinner: Impossible": creating amazing food for a crowd at an event within a tight timetable. In "Restaurant: Impossible," however, Irvine works to save a failing restaurant in just two days with a budget of $10,000.

"'Dinner: Impossible' is a tremendous show but if I don't complete the mission, no one gets hurt," Irvine said. "With 'Restaurant: Impossible,' we're talking about people's lives, saving homes, avoiding bankruptcy. ... It's been very meaningful to me. I don't care about the camera -- I'm not letting one person lose their business because I went there."

For the record, he said, none of the restaurants where he worked his magic -- which includes refurbishing furniture, adjusting the menu and marketing in 48 hours -- has failed.

He says he loves teaching people but, until "Worst Cooks," he never really had that one-on-one experience.

"Their passion grows as does my passion when I've talked to each individual person and learn why they're here," Irvine said. "It's an eye-opener for me."

The six-week cycle gave him the chance to really get to know his charges -- ordinary folks who, for whatever reason, really can't cook.

"I listen to their woes and learn why they got into this mess," he said, adding that while he gets the job done, the job does touch his heart -- although he laughed at the suggestion a Teddy bear lurks beneath his military exterior.

"I like to see people who never have been able to do things to succeed," Irvine said. "If you've got the passion, you can do anything in this world."

His passion for cooking, mentoring and fixing things spills over into charity work. Irvine says he on the road 300 days a year, either filming for Food Network or doing something for charity. Three issues have his heart: children's cancer, the military and veterans.

He's humbled by the people he meets through his charity work. One girl, a cancer victim, visited his restaurant as her wish from the Make a Wish Foundation.

"It so much fun, and she was incredible," Irvine said. "I told her, 'You're just a blessing to me.'"

Food is a means of communicating and is a great way to talk to people, Irvine said.

"The only violence involved is when you cut up the meat," he said, adding that a recipe "is a guideline, not the bible."

If he could pass along one nugget of advice, it'd be have fun.

"When you cook, have fun. Share your experiences with others. Live the life you feel you should live without regret," Irvine said. "Food -- cooking -- is all about making mistakes. It happens, but it's OK. That's how we get better."