In a recent episode of “David Letterman,” viewers were treated to an unusual guest with an even more unusual goal. Dishwasher Pete, as he’s known, has spent the last decade traveling across the United States, washing dishes in every state of the union. With almost 25 states under his belt, Pete sat down with David Letterman to discuss his passion for dishwashing and his unique journey.
It all started when Pete realized that being a dishwasher was an easy job to get and didn’t require much resume building. He saw it as an opportunity to facilitate his love for travel while pursuing his dream. Pete quickly discovered that not all restaurants use machines to do the job; some still rely on the old Hobart dishwashing machines.
During his interview, Pete opened up about the less glamorous side of the restaurant industry. He revealed that no matter how nice a place may seem, it’s often overrun with mice and cockroaches. Furthermore, Pete described the cooks as generally crusty and even witnessed some dropping ash from their cigarettes into the food. Surprisingly, he noted that this technique actually adds a unique flavor to certain dishes.
Most of the places Pete has worked in are mom and pop restaurants, including one where he witnessed a heat lamp exploding over a vat of chili. Instead of throwing it away, the cook simply sifted out the glass from the chili and served it. As Pete said, “That’s the way it goes.”
Pete’s quest to wash dishes in all 50 states was put on hold as he fell in love with a woman named Amy Joy MH. They eventually got married and now have a 2-year-old son. Although Pete no longer washes dishes professionally, he still takes pride in being a good dishwasher at home.
Throughout his journey, Pete gained a following and published an online magazine called “Dishwasher” out of his duffel bag. He received numerous letters from people interested in his unique pursuit.
Now, Pete is focused on his writing career and training as a bike mechanic in Amsterdam, where he resides with his family. The book he wrote about his experiences, “Dishwasher: One Man’s Quest to Wash Dishes in All 50 States,” is not only about dishwashing, but also about the locations, restaurants, and personalities he encountered along the way.
Dishwasher Pete‘s appearance on “David Letterman” was certainly an entertaining one. His quest to wash dishes in all 50 states may not have been completed, but his story is one of adventure, passion, and the pursuit of freedom. Whether you’re a fan of dishwashing or not, Pete’s journey is one that proves that sometimes the most unexpected paths can lead to incredible experiences.
