20 Questions With... Scott Folsom Leysath

Scott Leysath is pretty well known in the hunting world - you kill it, he'll grill it. In fact, he is so well known that he has his own TV show on how to prepare things like duck, venison (deer), goose, basically, any type of wild game. Leysath promotes a line of seasonings from Lawry's, aimed specifically at wild game.

Webmaster's note: Scott's middle name really is Folsom! It's his mother's maiden name. Pretty cool, huh?

1. What do you do for a living, really?
First off, are you in any way connected with the U.S. government? No? OK, my primary concern is the Sporting Chef TV show. I also do a number of personal appearances and guest chef gigs around the country. One of my major sponsors is Lawry's. They have a new line of Ducks Unlimited Seasonings and Marinades and I'm the spokesperson for the line. Apparently, everyone else was busy.

(#1)

2. How did that come about?
It wasn't a well-planned career path and I'm not sure you could plan it. As with most things, there's a great deal of luck involved. I kept throwing a number of things against the wall and this one stuck.

3. When will your show be on locally?
If all goes according to plan, by mid-2004. You can watch the show on SportingChef.com to get a taste of what you may or may not be missing.

4. What’s the biggest misconception about game?
That it tastes like liver. Many folks try and cook the gamy taste out of wild game and end up making it taste worse. If you clean it, trim it and don't cook it past medium-rare, it'll taste good. The more you cook it, the gamier it gets.

5. What brought you to Folsom?
My wife has worked here for 17 years. We've been here three years. She used to commute from Elk Grove...brutal.

6. What do you like best about it?
Just about anything I need is here. Good restaurants, less traffic (before the dam road closed), bike paths, sense of community, Trader Joe's. I'm fortunate not to have to commute downtown. I don't have the stamina for it.

7. What would you change?
Open the dam road!

(#8)

8. Favorite Folsom restaurant?
Bailie's. Looking forward to the opening of Fat's in Folsom.

9. What do you do when not working on your show?
Spend time with my wife and son. Although I travel a bit, I'm also home for weeks at a time so I can help at the school and spend quality time at home. I also like to hunt, fish, golf, cook, eat...

10. What would be your dream job?
A nationally broadcast television show with the opportunity to travel to the better hunting and fishing locations. We're working on it.

11. If you could open your own business here in Folsom, what would it be?
Not a restaurant. Not any business actually. I'm happier without a big staff and the accompanying headaches.

12. What’s your favorite local getaway?
My backyard in the summertime.

13. Favorite guilty pleasure?
Good red wine.

(#15)

14. Last book read?
Dirt, Stuart Woods.

15. Favorite movie of all time?
Deliverance.

16. Biggest pet peeve?
Telemarketers. Now they've turned into "This is XYZ Research calling..."

 

( #19)

17. What’s missing from Folsom?
You know. I'm happy with Folsom. I know the schools could use some money, but I think there's a decent balance between population and retail, restaurants and parks.

18. Favorite part of the country to visit?
I really enjoy the southeastern U.S., but I'm partial to Montana and Hawaii.

19. Worst tasting food you’ve ever tried?
I had some goose that prompted an articled I titled, "The Good, The Bad and The Goose the Dog Wouldn't Eat."

20. Favorite website?
SportingChef.com. Shameless plug.