Food Network’s hit reality competition, the Next Food Network Star, launched its fifth season late spring 2009. Premiering Sunday evenings at 8:00pm Central Standard Time, the show pits ten finalists against each other in a series of challenges to determine who has the winning combination of strong food skills and a charming personality. The winner walks away with their very own Food Network TV show. This season’s contestants range from New York sous chefs to small-town housewives. The show, hosted by His Grillness – Bobby Flay; is judged by Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson, and Bobby Flay.
The Winners
The show kicked off its fifth season on June 7. The ten contestants were asked to cater the Food Network’s sixteenth birthday bash, with a guest list featuring the who’s who of celebrity chefs. After splitting into two teams, each side appointed a “leader.” While neither team seemed to come out on top at the judge’s table, the clear winner of the first challenge was Jeffrey Saad. Saad is a Los Angeles chef and restaurateur whose winning dish was the red chili citrus mushrooms with grilled zucchini.
Melissa d'Arabian of Keller, Texas, placed in the top three for the challenge with her apple tarts. Though she stumbled a bit in the kitchen with her timing, her pastries went over well with the guests and judges alike. Also placing in the top three was Michael Proietti of City Island, New York with his five-spiced tenderloin. Proietti is definitely the eccentric of the bunch with a flare for catty humor.
- Those who skirted by this week were: Brett August of New York, New York with a red wine braised tenderloin with mushrooms.
- Jamika Pessoa of Atlanta, Georgia with a shrimp cocktail over a jicama-mango slaw.
- Debbie Lee of West Hollywood, California with crab cakes with spicy mayo.
- Katie Cavuto of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with her "digestive motility" inducing beet salad and chard.
- Teddy Folkman of Alexandria, Virginia with an upscale potato gratin.
The Losers
Falling short of the mark were Eddie Gilbert of Los Angeles, whose BLAST bowls and boring presentation did not "wow" anybody at the event and Jen Isham of Orlando, Florida. While who should have gone home seems to be a hot bed of debate on the Food Network website, the judges sent home Jen Isham. Better known in her short time as Housewife 2.0, Isham failed to impress with her green bean dish and super-short presentation. As the competition continues, the challenges will continue to test the finalists’ knowledge and capability. Only time will reveal who will buckle under the pressure, and who America wants as their Next Food Network Star.
For more information on contestants and to watch video clips, check out: http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-next-food-network-star/index.html
