By Unsie Zuege

When Bob DeMaris isn’t cracking eggs in the kitchen, he’s on stage with a mike in his hand, cracking up his audience. DeMaris, a Victoria resident, lives a double life—chef and comedian. On Friday night, DeMaris opens for Twin Cities-based comedian Scott Hansen at 7 p.m. at the Willows Bar and  Restaurant at Dahlgreen Golf  Club. DeMaris will have a somewhat friendly crowd to play to since he’s the chef in residence at the restaurant and bar. He sat down with us recently to answer questions about his life as chef, comedian, and family guy.

Q: How long have you been a Victoria resident?  

A: Since 1997. We lived in Chaska for six years before that.

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: I’m from the Iron Range. I grew up in Babbit, the only town in Minnesota where the road —a forest service road—literally ends. I like to say that Babbitt is the home of Minnesota’s first cul de sac.

Q: Have you always been a chef?

A: (Laughs) Out of college, I worked for SuperValu and I was a grocery buyer for a number of years…me and the corporate life were bound to be separated. I owned a grocery store in Lester Prairie from 1999 to 2002.

Q: Not to change the subject, but this restaurant looks like it was just remodeled.

A: It was. It’s a lot bigger. Since the remodeling in 2007, we’ve already had 10 weddings here. It’s comfortable with 200 people, and we can get up to 250 people in here. On comedy nights, we usually seat 150 people.

Q: Back to comedy. How long have you been doing standup?

A: Just over two years. It started when KQRS had a Laugh with Louie Anderson contest. They were looking for someone to open a New Year’s Eve show for Louie and they got the idea that they should have a contest for guys who’ve never done comedy but were funny. About 15 of us showed for the first night and eventually there were 10 of us who kept on going. We did a big playoff show. I was not one of the final six. Later, I found out that my act was too close to Louie’s. See I was 100 lbs. heavier then and I do a lot of jokes about family and my life, too.

Q: Best advice you’ve ever received?

A: I asked a guy at the contest, “Hey, what did you think of my set?” He said, “Do it 100 times and then we’ll talk.” He was absolutely right. It doesn’t matter if you can do a set one time. Can you do it again?

Q: How does someone break in?

A: In our business you don’t get paid in the beginning. Instead they ask, “You want to get some stage time?” Like Louie Anderson said, “How can you underpay someone who works for free?” Fortunately, the free days are mostly behind me now.

Q: How did you know things were looking up?

A: When I got a check in the mail and in the memo line , they wrote “talent.”

Q: Describe one of your most memorable shows?

A: The best one was when Queensryche played at the Myth in Maplewood, and after the concert let out, they came into the Minnesota Comedy Club. We’re talking 150 Queensryche fans coming in, shaved heads, tattoos, leather, and those were just the chicks. I was nervous. My stuff centers around me and my family. The other comics looked at the crowd and started doing stuff with profanity, really getting down and dirty. Nothing. Then I realized, these guys listen to Queensryche but Monday they’ll get up, cover their tattoos, put on their business clothes, and go to work at the office. When I got done with my set, these Queensryche guys were giving me high fives. They could relate. They’re all family guys, too.

Comedy  at the Willows Bar and Restaurant

When: 7 p.m. Friday.

Where: Dahlgreen Golf Club in Dahlgreen Township

Who: Bob DeMaris, comedian from Victoria opens for Twin Cities comedian Scott Hansen.

Cost: Two show packages. $24.95 includes a drink, appetizers after the show; $39.95 VIP package includes a drink, appetizers after the show, and dinner featuring “Chicken Cordon Bob.”

Bonus: DeMaris and Hansen will do a second show Friday at 8:30 p.m. at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

For more information about the show and dinner packages, call the Willows Bar and Restaurant at Dahlgreen Golf Club, (952) 448-7463 ext. 5.

 To see Bob DeMaris on video, go to www.victoriatownsquare.com.