'At the party, I had half a beer, which I always drink on ice. It helps me drink it slower. My preference is Coors Light on ice. My friends call that the Rex Chapman.' Read RexChapman's GrubStreetDiet
Rex Chapman. Illustration: Margalit Cutler On Monday, Rex Chapman debuted his eponymous show with CNN+ in which he interviews people like Jason Sudeikis, Amber Ruffin, and Kevin Love. A high-school basketball phenom, Chapman played 12 seasons in the NBA — and now works as basketball broadcaster — but he’s better known among some as a Twitter personality. His digital persona bends toward uplifting, but he’s also been open about his struggles with addiction.
Even now, you don’t get much selection. If you try to go find a turkey burger in Lexington, good luck. It’s good to get authentic food up here because there’s just such a wide variety, so many people and cultures. I moved to New York a couple months ago. From the first time I came here as a teenager for the NBA draft, I just liked the hustle and bustle. I like being able to look out the window and see cars and, at night, see all the lights and people walking around. A few of the places I lived in Kentucky growing up, a car might not drive past your house for an hour. I just like the … It feels alive and that feels fun.
At the party, I had half a beer, which I always drink on ice, and there were passed hors d’oeuvres, but I just ate at home. It helps me drink it slower. Based on my past and what I’ve gone through I know I need to pace myself. Plus it helps keep me hydrated at the same time. That’s just smart. My preference is Coors Light on ice. My friends call that the Rex Chapman.
Now, you might be wondering, was this carrot cake homemade? Hell no. I’m not baking. It’s from some restaurant around here somewhere. I don’t know where.I had a salad with tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, bleu cheese, croutons, and Thousand Island dressing. Where would I rank this among salad dressings? Fifth, fourth? I don’t know. I really don’t. I’ll have to get back to you all on that.
My main thing is that, while I really like food, I hate thinking about what I’m going to eat. I hate it. It wears me out. It’s not that I would rather be doing other things — not particularly. My brain doesn’t work this way. It’s not just food, in other words. Like for our show, for example, it stresses me out figuring out what to wear, so over the last little while, we figured out they’re just going to pick it out for me because I don’t like doing it. Same way with food.