I first heard of Mary Lou just browsing the internet aimlessly and came across her cooking videos. Liking what I saw, I instantly followed. The very next month, she was on Season 19 of Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay. Even though she didn’t take home the win, her love for cooking and being her outgoing, loving, yet no nonsense self stuck with viewers. They followed her after and many found her brand Geeks & Grubs to be a great way to meld the Anime and Cooking genres, as so many anime shows showcase some amazing food.
I got the chance to meet her at Holiday Matsuri and DreamCon ’23 and asked if I could reach out one more time for a quick interview with “The Snack That Smiles Back”.
Introduce yourself and your brand
Mary Lou Davis, My Brand is Geeks & Grubs.
What got you started being a pro cook versus just cooking at home?
I wasn’t good at too many things besides eating. Then I realized that I could have a career as a Chef so I decided to go in that direction.
What is one thing about cooking in a pro kitchen vs at home that you
think everyone should know?
Cooking in a professional kitchen isn’t everything you see on tv, yes sometimes is difficult and its always stressful, but its also funny, and exciting. And really help you find a place to belong.
What’s your signature dish for parties?
I don’t have a signature dish, my whole brand has a lot of themes, so I don’t just have 1 thing.
When you saw that you could incorporate your love for anime and
cosplay into your cooking content, what ideas did you have first?
It started out really small, Bugs Bunny’s carrots, Spongebob’s Krabby Patties, Snow Whites pie, that last dish in Yu Yu Hakusho that they only show for a split second.
How has it been being able to meld your love for anime and cooking?
Its been fun, challenging at times, but very fun.
Could you describe one of your most memorable convention moments?
My first con was in 2019. It was Katsucon. I didn’t know people brought more than one cosplay, so I painted myself pink for 3 days.
How do you approach embodying the characters you cosplay as? Do you
enjoy role-playing and staying in character while in costume?
It starts out as role playing in costumes where I lose the character and come back to me. I’m starting to get very excited about what I’m making. But the initial thought isn’t to recreate the dish, but to see it the way that character saw it, and to add my own personality to it.
Do you have any favorite cosplay memories or interactions with fellow
cosplayers or fans that you’d like to share?
I have sooooo many! SO it’s very hard to choose. But i did a GnG episode shoot during Dragoncon with Rock Lee and Guy Sensei and it was hilarious. I started drinking henny whilst shooting and it turned into a whole ordeal.
How did you first get into cosplaying, and what inspired you to start?
I started out in cosplay by going to renaissance faires. I would dress up and one day I showed a picture to someone. They asked me if I cosplayed. I had no idea what it was. I started looking into it and I couldn’t stop ever sense.
What was your very first cosplay, and how do you feel about it looking back?
My first cosplay at a con was Android 21. I was so excited about it and I think it turned out great. I kept giving donuts to the photographers.
What anime are you currently watching?
Currently watching JJK (Jujutsu Kaisen – Click Here for Info) but…. i keep getting closer and closer to succumbing to One Piece.
Since the OP Live Action seems to be a shorter, less daunting version of the series, will you be watching it instead or are you still leaning towards the anime series?
I’m leaning towards the anime.
Three anime series or movies to get to know you?
Yu Yu Hakusho
Broly movie ( all of them)
Michiko & Hatchin
Need to see more Mary Lou? Check her out at Geeks & Grubs (https://beacons.ai/geeksandgrubs) and tell her the Asylum sent you!
