Get to Know Vanilla Ice — Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off

Vanilla Ice

Photo by: David Lang ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P.

David Lang, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P.

FN Dish is counting down to the Season 3 premiere of Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off by introducing a new celebrity contestant every day. During the competition, the celebrities will be tested in a number of different challenges to see who has the most culinary chops. The winner will be awarded the title of Cook-Off Champion and $50,000 for the charity of his or her choice. Watch the premiere Monday, Jan. 6 at 9pm/8c, and keep coming back to FN Dish for exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes content.

Iconic '90s rapper Vanilla Ice sold 10 million albums and hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts with his award-winning single, "Ice Ice Baby." Ice has also appeared in movies and TV shows, including Celebrity Boxing, Hollywood Squares, The Surreal Life and Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge. He currently stars on DIY Network's The Vanilla Ice Project and Vanilla Ice Goes Amish. Ice plans to show that his creativity in renovating houses extends into the kitchen with his unique vegetarian cuisine. Ice is playing for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Describe your cooking style in three words.
Vanilla Ice: Magic ninja skills
What's the first food you recall making?
VI: Hungry Jack instant mashed potatoes
What's the most-memorable meal you have ever had?

VI: At the Forge restaurant in Miami, with my grandmother, 1999, drinking Château Lafite Rothschild 67

Who is your favorite chef or food TV personality, past or present?

VI: In the past it was Chef Tell; now my favorites are Rachael and Guy. And I'm not sucking up to them because of the show. I knew them way before. They are awesome.

What food will we never catch you eating?
VI: Anything with meat in it. I am a vegetarian.
What's your signature dish?

VI: Tailgate tofu lollipops. You take a stick, poke it into a good-quality, low-moisture tofu, then dip it in buttermilk, roll it in panko crust, deep-fried, and make an awesome hot sauce, with blue cheese dressing. Delicious.

What's your guilty pleasure food?

VI: Vanilla ice cream — true and ironically funny.

What's your favorite kitchen tool that you can't live without?

VI: It would have to be my magnetic ironclad induction cooking pans.

What's the weirdest item we'd be surprised to find in your fridge ?

VI: Not much weird things in my fridge. Probably my Green goddess, so I can get all my vegetables on the run and still taste delicious.

What music do you like to listen to in the kitchen?

VI: I don't really listen to music in the kitchen.

Going into Rachael vs. Guy, who would you pick as your biggest competition and why?

VI: I never looked at this as a competition. I'm not a great cook, and I'm a vegetarian. So that thought never crossed my mind. I just wanted to have fun and learn.

Why do you want to be the next Rachael vs. Guy Celebrity Cook-Off Champion ?

VI: To me it's all about having fun, learning some new recipes and experiencing a cool adventure in doing so.

Rapid fire: Think fast!
Sweet or Savory? Savory
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Vanilla or Chocolate? Vanilla
Ketchup, Mustard or Mayo? Mustard
French Fries or Onion Rings? Onion Rings
Salt or Pepper? Pepper
Burger or Hot Dog? Neither
Beer, Wine or Liquor? Beer