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Neighborhood residents dish about their 15 minutes of reality TV fame

Running the gamut from voyeuristic trash to societal edification, reality TV shows have amassed over the past 15 years like old newspapers on an episode of “Hoarders.” The grand paradox of the so-called “reality” genre is its supremely contrived, controlled and cut-up content, which — while necessary for palatable programming — deprives us of those stories beneath the surface. We tracked down Preston Hollow people who have spent time on reality TV show sets. They share candidly about their experiences, what they learned and life after the cameras shut off.

“LIFE IS A SERIES OF TRIUMPHS AND TRAGEDIES, FALLING DOWN AND REDEMPTION. WE’RE ALWAYS ON THIS PENDULUM SWINGING.”

SEE “BOSOM BUDDIES,” PAGE 21

John Tesar earned the title of “The Most Hated Chef in Dallas” in a 2011 D Magazine piece, which cited rumors of the fiery tantrums he threw while working at The Rosewood Mansion. More recently, the chef has been engaged in a very public dispute with Leslie Brenner of The Dallas Morning News. Their feud culminated July 17 of last year, when Tesar Tweeted, “@lesbren [expletive] you! Your reviews are misleading poorly written,self serving and you have destroyed the star system and you really suck [sic].” He was unhappy with her write-up of his steak house, Knife. To this day he harbors a degree of resentment.

“I don’t think all her motivations are evil or unethical,” he says. “But, in acts of desperation, she’s gone to the dark side from time to time Leslie seems to be the only one who doesn’t get John Tesar.”

Tesar’s unapologetic bluntness makes for great reality TV. He’s a regular on myriad Food Network shows and was a contestant on Bravo’s “Top Chef.” The latter gig was difficult to come by. Tesar tried out for the series several times, but kept getting rejected.

“I auditioned for season one, but they considered me to be too qualified at that time,” he says. “As the seasons went by, they decided they needed more talent, better chefs.”

He eventually secured a spot on season 10, which was filmed in Seattle. Tesar found the setting invigorating. Being near Puget Sound inspired him to open a seafood restaurant in our neighborhood upon his return. Spoon closed late last year, but it had a good run, garnering positive reviews from a slew of media outlets and a nod from the James Beard Foundation. Tesar still considers the restaurant one of his greatest achievements as a chef.

“I’d love to reopen Spoon, but I’m worried whether Dallas would support it seven days a week, because it didn’t in Preston Center,” he says. “Seafood is still not mainstream here. That’s something we’re going to have to wait for.”

These days Tesar spends time with his wife and their son. He plans to open an Italian restaurant on Turtle Creek in the next few months and is “putting together a team to push John Tesar forward, not only as a chef, but as a brand.” He remains largely unshaken by the gossip surrounding his made-for-TV life. No matter how loud the chatter gets, he refuses to stop being himself.

“I’ve had my own issues with growth,” he admits. “I’m glad people have paid attention to my shortcomings and watched me overcome them.”