TIM LOVE
Start with who you are and show what you’re going to do, and explain why. Direct the show, because if you don’t, they’re going to, and when they do it will have nothing to do with you. The last 30 seconds is your other opportunity to say everything you want to say. The best thing is to put some food in the mouths of the hosts and then say what you want to say because they can’t speak.

JACQUES PÉPIN
I think it is very important to have direct eye contact with the camera and slow down. Because it’s only three minutes people accelerate, when in fact you should slow down so people know what you’ve said. And have a beginning, middle and end, so they’ve learned something. It’s important to be really pragmatic this way.

MING TSAI
Practice your segment with the clock to make sure you can do it in three minutes and take the steps out you aren’t going to have time for. I always ask the producers what are they going to say about me because sometimes it’s not accurate. One tip is to say before the show, ‘Hey Matt, or whoever it is, can you ask me about my book or about my project or about my charity – because I’m here for a reason.’ And if they ask me about it I’m not self-promoting, I’m just answering their questions.

SPIKE MENDELSOHN
If you’re a little nervous and it’s your first couple of times, ask the producer to hold up huge talking points – the three things you want to get across. I think three-minute segments are a lot less about food and a lot more about the conversation. If you get caught up in the recipe, trying to deliver it, you miss your talking points.

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September 13, 2012