Filip Jeremic knows you can cook, stupid!

A CBS Diversity Showcase alum known for his sharp character work, Filip Jeremic has used the pandemic to explore his true passion — cooking. I sat down with him to talk about his move to New York, and what goes into producing his new Instagram show You Can Cook, Stupid!

Filip Jeremic

What prompted the move to New York?

I’ve always loved New York, and the things that at the time I wanted to do specifically were here. Also, as a city, New York is the best. It’s a city that’s built for the grind and the hustle. It's much easier to feel like you’re part of a community for the simple fact that you can walk around and experience all sorts of things. It's a sad reality that you have to start from scratch, because no one knows you. But from the start I found the New York comedy community to be really welcoming, and less competitive than Toronto. That's just because there’s more for everyone, so you don't feel like you're competing for a few opportunities.

When did you finally feel comfortably established in New York?

It took several years. In Toronto, with sketch duo British Teeth (with Allana Reoch), we basically knocked on every door and became regulars. Here, there's way more people trying to do that. It definitely took years to be regarded as one of the character people. Everyone kind of specializes in one thing, even if you're good at all of them. Ironically, now I'm doing way less character work.

How do you stay motivated throughout all that?

As long as there's small victories, you feel like it's not for nothing. You'll do a showcase, and you'll get an email the next day, or month, from a casting director, it's all worth it. I always had a flimsy plan; move to New York, get involved with UCB, get on a House Team, get a manager. It took years, but that all happened. In the meantime, you meet so many people, create your own projects and work on stuff. That only helps with your visibility and getting your stuff out there.

What was the start of your new cooking show, "You Can Cook, Stupid!"

Obviously, in quarantine, it became impossible to do anything with other people. I wanted something that I can do alone at home that I genuinely love — and I love to cook. I've posted recipes on Instagram, showing the process in a sarcastic way, and people were very responsive. I find it funny when people say they can't cook, because everyone can use common sense. Just think about how heat works, what ingredients are going to be awful together, and then it's just practice. So that's where the title came from. Because you can cook, stupid. Don't be a dumb ass. It's simple recipes with a tough love attitude.

What's the process like for you to make an episode?

I have to do a bit of planning, because I'm not going to buy six steaks in case I got the first five wrong. I also won't get the first five wrong, because I'm good at cooking. I make goal posts first around what I'm going to do and say, then plan different shots. I also don't want to copy anyone's recipes, unless I'm going to be very open about it. The vibe for the show is that I am not an expert, I'm a comedian who has become good at cooking through practice and experimentation. All the recipes are things I've developed over the years, or things I've learnt from growing up in a family where everyone cooked.

How complex do you make things? 

Oh, sometimes they're super simple. There was a mashed potato episode that I thought was too easy. You just boil potatoes, and then you fucking mash them with a few special ingredients. But a friend of mine messaged me saying it wasn't too simple, because she had never made mashed potatoes before. Even the first episode was how to fry an egg, because I've heard people say they can't even do that! It isn't difficult, but there's techniques that will help you make it succeed each time. Cooking is easy, it's technique that takes practice. Believe me, there are things I've made that have been thrown in the garbage because they were so bad. But once you get it, you can make anything.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

I hate giving advice, because what's worked for me might not work for someone else. But the best advice that I've received is “take your work seriously, don't take yourself seriously”. That applies if you're a comedian, doctor, garbage man, storefront psychic, or whatever. It doesn't matter. Do your job well, because you chose it — presumably — and then just enjoy yourself outside of that.

Check out You Can Cook, Stupid! at instagram.com/misterfilip/