Next Food Network Star - Week 3

Well, I may have missed posting about last week's episode (I was still on the West coast, getting ready to get on a redeye flight back) but I'm baaaaack.

This week, Guy Fee-Yetti was pitch-hitting for Bobby Flay while he was back in New York. And luckily for us, Guy didn't just intro one of the challenges like he's done in past seasons but actually served as a guest judge with Tuschelson (I think Bobby T. and Suze would have been fine on their own, but oh well.)

So, to sum it up, the contestants first had to learn what it's like to work a red carpet... and what better way to do that than take them to an L.A. hotspot, hire fake paparazzi and fans to snap photos and yell their (cued or written on the paid actors' hands I'm sure) names, and have them do short interviews with a local L.A. television reporter who no one outside of Cali probably knows.

Then, they had to cater a Grammy party for musician Colbie Caillat... because so many Food Network stars do massive catering on their Food Network shows. Hmm....

Anyhow... Dzintra unleashed the crazy --although it's still take compared to Lisa Garza:-( --and Serena's foot got stepped on. Just a regular day in la la land.

And someone went home. What did you think?

Review: Next Food Network Star, Season 6

I'll spare you my thoughts on how referring to a 6-episode deal as the "biggest prize on television" is a bit hyperbolic... or about Food Network's dilemma with finding a new star with this reality show that needs suspense and drama... or even how the producers now "get it" when it comes to crafting and editing a suspenseful show (but not much more). So let's just get down to what's new this season:

Season 6 is the first to take place primarily in Los Angeles. The Hollywood Hills home the contestants live in is gorgeous and looks like it provides a lot more space than the NYC carriage homes of previous seasons. Perhaps this cavernous home will showcase a NFNS first: some downtime love connections between contestants? Between Bobby Flay and a contestant? Who knows.

Since L.A. is a world away from the Chelsea Market desks of Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson, you'd think Tuschelson's role might be amped up this season, right? Well, even though they're stars in some minds, two Food Network execs can't compete with the star power of Giada De Laurentiis, who this year takes on a more permanent role as the contestant's mentor.

Think of Giada as the Tim Gunn of The Next Food Network Star, minus the snappy catchphrases.


And even though Giada can't muster up nary a memorable phrase, the show itself has certainly imposed some upon us. Like the "STAR KITCHEN" that the contestants compete in, replacing the NYC Food Network kitchens that formerly served as a major setting and the "STAR CHALLENGE" that the contestants are tasked with (both of which are highlighted with a giant, floating graphic after they're announced.

As for the contestants, you can read more about them on Food Network's site. They seem like a good mix of talented, clueless, different from the standard Food Network style, and obnoxious. The perfect reality show mix.

In the first episode, one really stands out... and not necessarily in a good way. Dzintra.

Sometimes a reality show contestant is so weird and so over the top that's it's almost unfathomable that they're 45 and have never been on a reality show before. Like, did they check out The Real World - New York back in 1992, think Eric Nies was kind of hot, and then decide that the genre wasn't for them? Have they been ignoring everything else that has happened w/ reality TV over the last 18 years, and missing out on all the audition opportunities?

Quickly, it all makes sense. This was Dzintra's third time auditioning for the show (which means she could have been cast WITH Lisa Garza, which would have probably broke the TV) and she finally made it. Guess she's not too oblivious to what's going on.

Dzintra, who introduces herself for the first time to her fellow contestants as "Dzintra, from the planet Zintron," has a bit of an eye problem in the first episode that leads to a harrowing decision to either leave the show and go to the emergency room or continue on, wounded eye and all. Fearing the wackiest character might leave the show during the FIRST episode, I sincerely hope Dzintra makes it back to the show... for both eye-health and entertainment reasons.

Quickly-- The first ep has the contestants putting themselves on a plate, so to speak. They are given the blank canvas of chicken and a potato to make their masterpiece (luckily no one seemed to have a vegetarian/vegan cooking style and no crying ensued). Then they have to present to camera, where the awkwardness always shines.

Later--the contestants have to write and shoot a 15-second promo for their Food Network show, with director Andy Fickman helping direct. I'm not sure the director of Race to Witch Mountain and She's the Man is necessarily the best fit to direct a Food Network promo, but what do I know? Maybe that's the next type of show Food Net's looking for?

I'm interested to see how L.A. changes the show and the challenges and how Giada's role develops. In previous years' appearances she's come off as harsh and somewhat contradictory to the contestants, so I'll be looking to see if her "mentoring" shows us a softer, more constructively criticizing Giada.

But I won't be holding my prosciutto-laced breath.

Tune-in to the two-hour premiere of The Next Food Network Star this Sunday, June 6 at 9pm ET.

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P.S.- after thinking about this, I'm seriously depressed Dzintra wasn't in the same cast as Lisa Garza. That'd be some Joe Esposito Karate Kid "You're the Best Around" awesome kind of team casting. (Not sure where that reference came from, but I'm NOT at all thrilled about the nepotism at its best Jaden Smith/Will Smith Karate Kid remake. Ugh.)

Next Food Network Star (Season 6) Returns... from LA LA Land

It's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!



Almost! Season 6 of The Next Food Network Star kicks off with a two hour premiere on Sun., June 6 at 9pm ET.

Some big changes are in store for the contestants this year. For the first time in the series' history, the majority of taping took place in Los Angeles—far, far away from the New York City Chelsea Market comforts of Food Network's home base, where every other season taped.

In a nod to West coast fashion, I'm guessing Bob Tuschman leaves an extra button unbuttoned on his blue shirt every week. Just watch and see!

Also, ice princess supreme established Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis will have what appears to be an increased presence this season as the Tim Gunn-like mentor of the bunch. Should be interesting, for sure.

The cast includes: Dzintra Dzenis (Austin, Texas), Doreen Fang (Los Angeles, Calif.), Alexis Hernandez (Clarksville, Ind.), Brianna Jenkins (Atlanta, Ga.), Aria Kagan (Hollywood, Fla.), Herb Mesa (Atlanta, Ga.), Serena Palumbo (New York, N.Y.), Tom Pizzica (San Francisco, Calif.), Aarti Sequeira (Los Angeles, Calif.), Darrell “DAS” Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.), Brad Sorenson (Austin, Texas) and Paul Young (Chicago, Ill.).

For their bios and more info, check out foodnetwork.com/star.

Absent this year will apparently be Ina Garten, who made her first appearance on the show in an episode last year. Those contestants have got to come to HER! Ina's not traveling to L.A. unless she catches wind of a good vanilla tree that only grows in Burbank.

Instead, we will be treated to appearances by Colbie Caillat, Eva Longoria Parker, and others.

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Soooo.... are you are excited for what will likely be a Hollywood-themed season?

Food Network Addict Year in Review 2009 -- Part 2

And now! The exciting conclusion to my 2009 Year in Review. Check out Part 1 below.

IN JULY...

I met up with former Next Food Network Star contestant Kelsey Nixon and Top Chef's Spike Mendolsohn at his DC burger joint Good Stuff Eatery:


It was great getting a chance to meetand talk with Kelsey and I do wish her the best.

... we saw that sign language that comes along with 5 Ingredient Fix, I visited Paris and London (didn't see Ina Garten OR Nigella Lawson)...



...I gave you my 5 reasons why I thought Melissa d'Arabian was going to win The Next Food Network Star, and we checked out Sandra Lee's spread in Out magazine.



IN AUGUST...

Melissa d'Arabian was crowned the winner of The Next Food Network Star, we saw how her set might have been recycled from season three winner Amy Finley's one-season show...



... runnerup Jeffrey Saad got a "mini-series" webisode deal on Foodnetwork.com called "The Spice Smuggler" and we haven't heard anything since, we saw how funny pictures of Pat Neely can get snapped at book signings...



... Noah Starr disappeared on Ask Aida, Ina Garten, Rachael Ray, and Bobby Flay won Daytime Emmys, and we saw—yet again—what money has done for Rachel Ray:



IN SEPTEMBER...

We got our first inkling that Anthony Bourdain's worst nightmare might come true (it did) when it was rumored that Scripps Network Interactive (the parent company of Food Network) might buy a controlling stake in the Travel Channel, we saw Nigella Lawson doing her best Dita Von Teese impression...



... we found out that Paula Deen's line of cast iron pans for QVC might crack or shatter during cooking--woops!, and we learned that it was never really Alton Brown's goal to be on TV.

IN OCTOBER...

We saw the first pics of Mary Alice's amazing weight loss...



... it was announced that FLN was changing to The Cooking Channel, I hit up the NYC Wine and Food Festival...


... we got our first glimpse of the JUST RENEWED new show by Alex Guarnaschelli, and we got some baking tips from Charm City Cakes' Adam Goldstein.

IN NOVEMBER...

Aunt Sandy hit up Wendy Williams...



... Emeril Lagasse hinted at bringing back Emeril Live to some network other than Food Network, Martha Stewart acted like a jealous jezebel when Rachael Ray appeared on her talkshow, I posted a guest review of Food Network's first game for Nintendo Wii, the episode of Barefoot Contessa that I was a guest on reaired, and Paula Deen got hit in the face with a ham.



IN DECEMBER...

I found out where Dave Lieberman had been hiding...


... just-about-to-debut-a-new-show Anne Burrell got sued for discrimination, Dr. Phil made a move on Cat Cora, and George Duran got a job!

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Overall, it's been a very fun year--a much busier one than other previous blogging years for me, I'd say. When I started this blog I was in a very different place in my life: recently out of college, working for a job I didn't love, needing a writing outlet that interested me, and just learning how to cook for myself for the first time.

Now, honestly, I find myself watching HGTV more than Food Network. Ha! I guess that's the progression of life. First you learn to cook, then you look for a house to cook in.

I still love my Food Network peeps and don't plan on giving it up, though. I hope everyone has a happy, safe, food-filled, drink-filled New Year's Eve. See yah in 2010!

Looking Forward to Alex Guarnaschelli's New Show - Oct. 18

I'm bummed I didn't run into Alex Guarnaschelli at all this past weekend in New York, but I'm slightly consoled by the fact that her new show Alex's Day Off premieres this Sunday, Oct. 18 at 9:30am ET.

Watching Alex on TV won't be as great as eating at her restaurant and meeting her like I did last year on my birthday, but it's a close second!


The first episode's description includes this line: [i]n an act of ridiculousness, Alex melts a wheel of cheese on a bed of crispy hash browns -- so we know that's gotta be good.

Looking forward to it, Alex!

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Obviously, Alex is posing in the pic above with Aida Mollenkamp and Aaron McCargo Jr. I actually ran into Aida right when I got to New York and went to The Standard hotel where the festival's homebase was. We had chatted once by phone last year, but it was nice to say hi in person. And, let me say, she looks even more model-y in person. Almost didn't recognize her!

I saw Aaron later in the day working on his computer by himself, so I didn't speak with him. Later, on Saturday night, I saw him at the Duff Goldman-hosted "Sweet" event and saw an Aaron fan trip right over a giant lamp on the floor in an attempt to get a hug from Big Daddy himself. Aaron was nice and didn't laugh in the poor girl's face, but it was pretty funny.

Is it the weekend yet?

Jeffrey Saad Gets Mini-Series: 'The Spice Smuggler'

Well that didn't take long!


Bob Tuschman today confirmed on his blog that The Next Food Network Star - season 5 runnerup, Jeffrey Saad, will have a 'mini-series' of 4 Web-exclusive videos based on his pilot called The Spice Smuggler.

"Jeffrey Saad takes you on a journey with Anise seed spice, Paprika, Garam Masala and Five Spice powder. He takes spices off the rack and brings them center stage. And as always, Jeffrey makes you need to taste the food," writes Bob T.

I wonder what Melissa d'Arabian thinks about her competition getting a show after only 2 episodes of her show have aired?

Food Network Addict Review: Melissa d'Arabian's 'Ten Dollar Dinners'

Melissa d'Arabian won The Next Food Network Star last Sunday, as you know, and her show Ten Dollar Dinners premieres tomorrow, Sunday the 9th, at 12:30pm ET. Unlike last year's winner, Melissa and her show pretty much remained under wraps until the big reveal. And, luckily, the first episode was pretty good! She managed to not kiss any raw meat.

Melissa's first episode, titled "Perfectly Priced Parisian," sounded very similar to season 3's winner Amy Finley's show The Gourmet Next Door when I first got it in the mail. (I already pointed out the recycling of Amy's blue tiles, and now after watching I'm pretty sure she also got Amy's old oven. So green of Food Net!)

While Melissa and Amy do have some similarities (both are moms who have lived in France), Melissa comes across as much more polished and TV ready than Amy ever did. There was some debate as to whether or not Amy ever wanted to be on TV or not; with Melissa there's no question.

The big change for Melissa's show is that all her meals are supposed to feed 4 people for $10. Considering that spoonfuls of some of Ina Garten's French dishes cost $10 or more, Melissa will surely have to think creatively to stay under budget.

Budget or not, the food is pretty good in this first episode. Her potato, bacon, and gruyere torte looked delicious and is obviously the "big ticket" item in the meal, as the rest of the meal consists of a green salad with mustard vinaigrette and what she calls an applesauce granita, which is nothing more than applesauce and a squeeze of lemon frozen in a pan and scraped into a glass like a granita. (She does end up topping it with a yogurt maple sauce.)

Compared to the other budget cooking shows on Food Network (Sandra's Money Saving Meals comes to mind), Melissa's food actually looked pretty appetizing. She made me want to try that torte, which is something I don't really think after watching a lot of shows on Food Network (truth be told).

I don't particularly like the little "mini-interview" thing that they threw into her show, like they do on Down Home with the Neelys. You know, where the host takes a little time to talk to an off-camera person about the recipe or a "special story" or about how a homemade crust makes you feel "warm and special inside." Still, Melissa manages to pull them off without making them entirely unbearable.

That's not to say Melissa comes across as a pro in the first episode. She calls her $10 dinner a "lunch" twice and occasionally trails off while talking. (There are a few awkward pauses here and there... which I guess is better than non-stop, irrelevant talking.) I know there must be a million things running through your head while taping your first episode of your first TV show, so I'm giving her a pass for a while. (She's light years ahead of some hosts on their first eps.)

While capitalizing upon a trend-right, in-the-moment feeling in America (we still recessioning?), Ten Dollar Dinners, by its very nature, runs the risk of not having a very long shelf life. How long 'til inflation raises those dinners to $11.25?

Watch tomorrow and let me know what you think.

Melissa d'Arabian On Her New Show

I was on a conference call earlier this week with Next Food Network Star winner Melissa d'Arabian (whose name I've seen with and without a capital D. I'm going crazy trying to decide which to use!) with a bunch of other bloggers and writers.

She seemed very exciting about her new show Ten Dollar Dinners ("I think people who aren't even on a budget are going to love the recipes that I've put together.") and wanted to assure everyone that she wasn't going to be making hotdogs to keep everything under $10 ("I think you're going to be really surprised by the recipes. [They're] well-rounded and have several components.")

Here's what I asked her...

Do you think you were presented fairly and accurately on The Next Food Network Star?
Just by the very nature of it, 44 minutes out of how many hundreds of hours of footage--you just can't put it all in there. You're not seeing all of it; you're not even seeing most of it. That being said, what you're seeing is just amazingly spot on. I am amazed how well it is edited and how the stories are brought to life.

I think the editing is very fair and very much captures the general story. Is there tons that happens that you don't see? Absolutely. Do I just meet a group of people and tell them my mom committed suicide? No, of course not. But I think people know that.


People sometimes criticize the show saying that the challenges don't really test what you'd need to be a Food Network personality. Over the course of taping your 6 episodes, did you rely on anything you learned from the crazy, fast-paced challenges in The Next Food Network Star?
Some of the challenges may not test exactly the environment you're going to be in as a Food Network star, but they test various characteristics. Do you need to be able to work outside of your favorite flavor profile? Of course you do. Absolutely. If I can't take flavors that I don't normally work with and taste them, adjust, and use my palate to create delicious, amazing food, then that's a problem.

The situations may not come up, but the skill that they're testing absolutely is relevant. The challenges--while fun to watch--are put together to test skills that you will need as the next Food Network star.

And I didn't ask this, but thought I'd include Melissa's answer to the question "What kind of show would you like to do with another contestant, if you had the chance?"
"I would love to parnter with Katie and do a series on making some really nutritious, breastfeeding-friendly recipes."

Hmm... what would you name a show like that?

Another Sign of Recession? Ten Dollar Dinners Recycles from Gourmet Next Door

Melissa D'Arabian's new show Ten Dollar Dinners is promising a lot by keeping every episode's meal for 4 under $10... so are we surprised that they saved a bit of money by reusing the same blue tiles from Amy Finley's 2007 show The Gourmet Next Door?


They were only used for 6 episodes, so what's the big deal, right?

Melissa D'Arabian's New Show: Ten Dollar Dinners

Melissa D'Arabian was crowned the winner on last night's finale of The Next Food Network Star. Congrats, Melissa!

Although her pilot was called something like "Kitchen Survival Guide," the powers that be must have modified that title (Sorry Alton!) along the way to come up with: Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa D'Arabian. The first of six initial episodes airs this Sunday, August 9 at 12:30pm ET.

What's Bobby T got to say about it?
"Week by week, Melissa proved she had the makings of a true food star," said Bob Tuschman, Senior Vice President, Programming and Production, Food Network. "Her expert technique brought sophisticated flavors and ideas to home cooking, and her bright, warm, and down-to-earth personality made her a viewer favorite. We're thrilled to share her wealth of ideas for making easy, delicious, and inexpensive meals."

Every episode promises the same deal: "four people, ten bucks, infinite possibilities."

Someone's giving Aunt Sandy a run for her budget cooking show money!

Will you watch?

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I just got off a conference call with Melissa. She was very nice and seemed genuinely excited to start this new chapter in her life. I'll post more about the call later. Happy Monday!

Next Food Network Star, Finale

It's hard to believe it came down to Jeffrey Saad and Melissa D'Arabian this year, but I guess they like to keep surprising us week to week. I've already told you who I think is going to win; do you agree with me? Am I way off? I'm usually horrible at picking winners, so I still wouldn't be surprised in the least to see Jeffrey take the prize.

I'll be online here throughout the entire finale and at Twitter. Send me your thoughts!

5 Reasons Why Melissa D'Arabian Is Going to Win The Next Food Network Star

After watching last night's episode of The Next Food Network Star it become clear to me who is going to win this season's competition. I liked Debbie from the beginning, but never really thought she had a chance of winning.

Here are my 5 reasons why Melissa D'Arabian will be the next Food Network star:

1. Melissa Has the Best Story Arc


Producers love to tell a story and carefully construct what we see (and don't see) of each contestant. Remember how all of Melissa's flubs and screwups were heavily featured in the early episodes? We were lead to believe she consistently needed help from the other contestants just to finish in time, couldn't keep up with the professional chefs, etc.

Now, in the second-to-last episode, Melissa is seen as triumphant and adored by the judges and guests. Her cooking skills even garnered the approval of top chefs John Besh and Francois Payard, among others.

Jeffrey, on the other hand, has stayed pretty much consistent (which is what we hear from TUSCHELSON over and over) since episode 1. He's good but not great. He's not good on camera, and while he might bring in a new audience, I think Food Network is more worried about keeping another audience it already has. Which leads me to #2...

2. Melissa Could Reclaim the Audience Amy Finley Supposedly Had


Bob Tuschman told me in our May 2008 interview that Amy Finley's show The Gourmet Next Door "was actually a huge hit--she was one of the highest-rated in daytime for the six weeks she was on." As you know, Amy's story is that she left voluntarily after those 6 shows. While Melissa doesn't act all "here's some French food based on French recipes I learned while living in France," her cooking style does seem very similar to Amy's and I think her show would have a similar look and feel as Gourmet.

3. Rachael Ray Isn't Getting Any Less Rich


I feel like the more money Rachael continues to make with her daytime talkshow, magazine, and other deals, the less likely it'll be that she returns to Food Network--at least in the same cooking show host capacity we've grown to know her.

Rachael's two-year deal with Food Network is quickly coming to a close and I haven't heard anything about any new deals yet. While I'm sure some execs would like to try a show with Jeffrey Saad and get a new audience, it's much safer to go with something tested and known.

Several personalities have popped up over the years since Rachael's debut, but I don't think anyone has had the same kind of likability and star-power that Rachael has. The truth is, they might not ever find someone else who resonates the way she did... but that doesn't stop them from trying. Melissa, unlike Rachael & Sandra Lee, really is a mother and has the potential to appeal to that mom market they know are watching.

4. Melissa Tells a LOT of Stories

If 50% of a successful Food Network host is cooking ability, the other 50% might be the ability to tell millions of stories about yourself & your family. If you're cooking hotdogs, you better be able to instantly talk about the time your Grandpa once took you to a ballgame when you were 6.5 years old and you were wearing a brand-new ball cap and that you ordered 2 hotdogs and ate both of them and remember the smell in the air and how it's what you always think about whenever you make hotdogs... even if it's not true. ;-)

Melissa seems to have a better knack about this. Whether or not this makes her food any better is debatable.

5. It Just Makes Sense. You Never Thought She Was Going to Win.

I always think I'm being tricked when watching reality TV show competitions. From the beginning, Jeffrey seemed qualified, was described as a "Greek god," and just seemed like he was going to go far. Melissa on the other hand did not seem like she'd make it past the 2nd episode. I think that's part of the trick--never thinking they'll make it from week to week and then, suddenly, they win.

After all, I NEVER thought Aaron was going to win.

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What do you think? Is Melissa going to be on TV a week from Sunday?

Next Food Network Star - Episode 8

Okay, I'm all caught up with The Next Food Network Star and I have to say, after some thought, I'm happy with the final two. I think the people who deserve it are still there.


What did you think?

One Year Ago - Aaron McCargo Had an Eating Disorder?

I was looking back through my archive recently. Did you know one year ago Aaron McCargo Jr. was still competing for the prize of The Next Food Network Star? If you remember, the finalists had to introduce their buffets in Las Vegas with a "special" introduction. For whatever reason, Aaron started his off very, very strangely with an admission he had an eating disorder.


"I have an eating disorder, I’ve been walking around with forks. I heard you can help me. You won’t help me? Who are you people?" said Aaron the judges and crowded room.

Ummm... okay. Your Next Food Network Star, America!

Let's hope Tuschelson+Flay give us one just as good this year!

Next Food Network Star - Episode 7

I am almost 100% certain that I didn't watch tonight's episode of The Next Food Network Star, since I just got done enjoying my second full day in Paris. I was hopefully eating an omelet at the Ina Garten-recommended Cafe de Flore when it aired.

Nevertheless, the episode aired and SOMEbody got kicked off!


I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Jeffrey got the boot! I think an all-girl final showdown might be in the cards.

Was I right?

Video: Next Food Network Star Ep. 6 Wrap Up

I stopped summarizing the episodes of The Next Food Network Star a while ago, since I'm pretty sure the people who are interested actually watched... so why do the extra work?

But I don't object to watching (or posting) a video of some young ladies and their comments on last Sunday's ep:



You think getting critiqued by Bob & Susie is tough?! Try a pair of 13 year old girls!

Next Food Network Star - Episode 6

The remaining 5 contestants all headed down to Miami for episode 6 of The Next Food Network Star to serve a large hotel party.


Before they even made it out of JFK, the final 5 were met by Ted Allen and a Jet Blue chef who challenged them to create a dish the terminal's fine dining restaurants. It was fun to see Ted back in the guest-judge role...although I fear he probably ate a lot better on Top Chef.

Did you think the person who went home deserved it?

I Still Miss Lisa Garza

This season's cast of The Next Food Network Star has got some interesting characters (did anyone hear that Debbie is Korean?) but no one really compares (in the wacky department, that is) to last year's Lisa Garza. God, I miss her.

Case in point, today Lisa posted a wordless, black & white video on her Facebook page called Lisa Garza Unplugged: Morning Me. The two-minute video consists of scenes showing Lisa waking up in the morning, washing her face, and generally doing things people do when they wake up... and that's it.


Also, such exciting things as Lisa spreading butter on toast:


Lisa showering:


Lisa buttoning her jeans:


And Lisa heading out for the day:



Soooo for all of you who were wondering what Lisa is up to, rest assured that she's still waking up, eating toast, showering, and driving. Thanks for the update, Lis!

Next Food Network Star - Episode 5

As I tweeted earlier, I was very surprised to see Rachael Ray show up at Food Network kitchens tonight and help judge the mini-challenge, instead of just letting the remaining finalists do a demo on her daytime talkshow. Yay Rachael! (And in another positive note, I think her voice is sounding much better.)


I think we can all agree that the person who should have been sent home was sent home tonight. Thank you, Tuschelson!

Oh, and Bobby... your opinion counts, too.

Next Food Network Stars on Rachael Ray

I don't TiVo Rachael Ray's daytime talk show, so I completely missed the show this past Thursday where the final 6 contestants on The Next Food Network Star appeared. Thanks for the zero cross-promotion, guys!


Unlike past appearances on RayRay's show (this one happened much earlier in the contest), the contestants had to cook in pairs. That could be disastrous, as the judges love to call out anyone who appears to not be cooking/talking/engaging enough during this challenge. (Remember Lisa Garza's freak out about "being censored" last year?)

Soooo, watch the videos online and then see how the producers edit their demos to suit their story. ;-)

Also, I hope everyone (in the U.S., that is) has a great and restful Independence Day. Thanks for reading!