August
27, 2009: Three weeks before the premiere, CBS finally
releases the cast on their official web site. Here's Ben's
bio from there:
"Ben Browning (28)
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupation: Mixologist
Ben Browning is a transplanted country
boy helping to run some of the most successful bars and restaurants
in Los Angeles. A bar supervisor and drink mixologist, Ben
is often seen with a girl on each arm and boldly claims he’s
never been rejected.
“I’m one of those people that just get lucky
for some reason, if I want it, I do what I have to do to
get it.”
Growing up in Kirksville, Missouri, Ben’s
parents raised him with a strict set of morals and instilled
in him a strong work ethic. His parents would always be there
to whip Ben into shape whenever necessary.
Ben has worked hard
for all he has in life and says “I
don’t like cry babies, I like people who work their
asses off, like people from where I’m from.” He
is also quick to admit that the one thing he can’t
stand is “whiners and wimps.”
When he is not hunting or fishing, Ben can probably be found
on his motorcycle. Despite breaking his leg in a wreck in
2007, he is still an active rider and even part of a motorcycle
club called “WhiskyBoys.” Described by friends
as “a big hillbilly who will be rich someday,” Ben
intends to leave his mark on the game of SURVIVOR.
Ben is
single and currently resides in Los Angeles, Calif. His birth
date is August 28th."
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August
24, 2009: First Survivor: Samoa ads begin
to air on CBS, and Ben is (barely) shown:
Ben in middle of Foa Foa mat |
Ben, far left |
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May
24, 2009: Ben is interviewed (lengthily, we might add) by L.A.-based
foodie blogger Joshua Lurie, for FoodGPS. Excerpts below:
"Ben Browning grew up in a small Missouri town called Kirksville
and worked in a series of “country bars” before
fulfilling a lifelong dream by moving to Los Angeles. He started
on the Sunset Strip at House of Blues and transitioned over
the hill to La Loggia, where SBE recruited him. At Foxtail,
Browning trained with noted mixologist Ryan Magarian. His mentor
left SBE and Browning took the company’s cocktail reins.
Browning since spearheaded the cocktail program at Bar Centro,
the centrally located bar in José Andrés’ gastronomic
pleasure palace. He’s earned a loyal following for producing
modern cocktails using fresh fruit, juices and herbs. I caught
up with Browning at Bar Centro on May 20, where he prepared
three different cocktails while discussing his background,
approach and future:
Do you consider yourself a bartender of a mixologist?
I’d say both. Just because you’re a mixologist
doesn’t mean you’re a bartender. I serve mixed
drinks but I serve vodka sodas too. I do everything. I’ve
gotta prep. I’ve gotta clean.
What’s the difference
between the two?
Mixology is balancing spirit, sugar, acid, water, putting those
together to make a palatable cocktail. Bartending is running
a bar."
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