A chat with Debbie Lee of “The Next Food Network Star”
It seems like many viewers of “The Next Food Network Star” were up in arms about Debbie Lee because of several questionable tactics and comments she made during more than one episode. They were letting judge and network exec Bob Tuschman know how they felt in responding on his blog last week. Well, Debbie was eliminated this past Sunday, leaving Melissa D’Arabian and Jeffrey Saad to battle it out for the crown. Was Debbie singled out for previous missteps? Good question, but we think so, and we think she had it coming either way.
Anyway, we had the chance to ask Debbie about her experience on the show and on her future plans…..
Premium Hollywood: What do you think ultimately was the deciding factor in your being eliminated?
Debbie Lee: It’s hard to say. I would love to get inside the judge’s minds to figure out what they were thinking. I know it was a very hard decision, but I think ultimately with Melissa’s being a mom, Jeffrey’s consistency…it just was a tough decision.
PH: Do you plan to pursue your own cooking show regardless?
DL: Yes, I would love the opportunity. I would also love to do some books and have the opportunity to express my Korean-American background.
PH: Who do you think will win now, and why?
DL: That’s a tough one. Melissa is a mom, has the all-American skills, Jeffrey is a fascinating chef with an interesting background, he’s exciting to watch. Let’s just say I’m glad I’m not a judge!
PH: What can you tell us about your new hot dog restaurant?
DL: The restaurant is going to be a hot dog concept that also integrates that comfort food with Southern spirit.
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Posted in: Reality TV, The Next Food Network Star, TV
Tags: Bob Tuschman, Debbie Lee, food interviews, Jeffrey Saad, Melissa D'Arabian, Next Food Network Star, The Next Food Network Star, The Next Food Network Star 2009, The Next Food Network Star Season 5
First of all hating Kimchi is a matter of opinion. You are rightly entitled to your own opinion but using that as a point to hate her is far less of a problem. This is especially from the fact that she can’t cook Korean food believe it or not (SHOCK! she lied!) But having said that I can assure you without thinking twice that Debbie’s Kimchi would certainly be nasty even to Kimchi-lovers’ standards. It takes time to ferment and it is not something that is just whipped up in minutes. Oh and half of her “asian-inspired” dishes aren’t even Korean…another shocker here people.
Let’s face the fact that Debbie Lee has a serious character flaw despite what how tearfully she’d disagree. Instead of admitting faults she finds excuses for her mistakes. She can’t cook Korean food worth crap, her Korean is terrible (mind you it’s simple words not even sentences), and she plays the race card for being Korean. I am Korean and I was completely pissed off. I am so glad Bobby Flay saw right through her BS. From her not owning up to the Miami party as kitchen manager, saying she actually used the capers, and then saying that Koreans like to eat their meat “tough”. GALBI-JJIM IS NOT TOUGH DEBBIE LEE. It is slow cooked Galbi that literally falls off the bones. I have an American friend who I introduced Korean BBQ to and he couldn’t even eat it because he considered it too “fatty” and “tender”. Debbie’s justification for that horrifying excuse for her Galbi-jjim made it seem like Koreans were like cavemen “Gnawing” rubber-meat.
Debbie Lee you were the WORST representation for a Korean-American on National TV. Please gain some morals in your life and realize that usually those who admit their faults and weaknesses are more respected than those who try to create a lame excuse for everything. But then along with your “I’m Korean” rant you frequently stated that you wouldn’t feel bad about your mistakes. Yea but neither should you lie and pretend it never happened.
As stated earlier, she lied about her Galbi-Jjim. That or my family cookin, Korean restaurant experience in Korea, LA, anywhere I live of my favorite Korean dish are all wrong. The fact is that you can’t make 갈비찜 in an hour. It is like Korean pot-roast. To this statement I can say I may be incorrect, but I’m not a cook; neither is Debbie. Americans are much more likely to eat “tougher” meat than Koreans. It only adds to the fact that she is a complete liar and will do anything to get out of the negative spotlight. The irony, of course, being that she has permanently placed herself in one through her mendacious personality.
As many have stated, the only reason you repeatedly attest to the fact that you are Korean is purely because you can’t cook Korean. Let me give you a hint Debbie, most people find race-card playing extremely annoying. Use your talent as your credibility, not your race. If you have a special cultural background that makes your food unique, show it on the plate, not through your trash verbiage.
Well said, Stephen. I was wondering about that galbi jim story. I’ve ony had it a few times, but I recall that it was very tender. So her description did not seem to check out. So yet again Debbie was not telling the truth.
I was very curious about what Korean American viewers of the show made of Debbie. I found your comments very insightful. Thank you for sharing.
I have one question to the person who wrote this article? Are you on crack? Becuase anyone who would pick a frazzled home maker and a Boring guy and a blaa personality over the Camera ready always worked well under pressure Debbie is clearly not right in the head
lor,
are you licking debbie’s pussy or something? Shamu sucked big time on the show.
@ Stephen
Just a correction… there are some 25+ types of Kimichi and a whole lot of them aren’t fermented. You can make kimchi in a few minutes, but the ingredients used is different from that of the fermented sister.
Debbie Lee has a terrible reputation in Los Angeles. Ask any employee of her now defunct Paragon Catering. To call her a liar is an understatement.
Never watched this show before & just caught up w/ reruns last night. Absolutely despised the blatant lies by Debbie Lee & the continuing choice she made to never be honest! I wouldn’t care if she was a great chef or had the most bubbly personality in the world, she’s amoral & not remotely genuine w/ all the fake smiles & I couldn’t stand to watch or listen to her knowing that. I will add that watching her lie WHILE RECORDING CAMERAS ARE ROLLING was quite entertaining.
NEWSFLASH: Debbie is opening a korean-southern (whatever that means) restaurant in L.A. It’s advertised as Seoulful-Tapas. Kinda weird combination. Judging by your comments and her supposed lack of knowledge about korean food, that doesn’t bode well. She’s making the most of her 15 minutes of fame in advertising herself for this venture. What happened to hot dogs (as mentioned in the article)? Are they korean-southern? Do koreans like hot dogs? I’m about as confused as she is…
I can totally attest to the fact that Debbie Lee is NOT EVEN CLOSE to a DECENT Chef. The food that she sells is on the same level as something you may get at Yoshinoya or Panda Express. From the look of it, she is better at EATING than COOKING