Let me introduce you to one of the better reality shows on television. “The Next Food Network Star,” now in its fourth season on the Food Network, began last night. The show mixes drama, intrigue, and some pretty bold personalities as they search for someone who will have the chance to host their own show. It also moves along quickly and blends a really good amount of current network personalities into the mix.
This season started with ten finalists—Kelsey, a 23-year old culinary school grad; Kevin, a 39-year old restaurant owner/radio host; Shane, a 19-year old private chef; Jennifer, 32, an executive chef and single mom; Cory, a 44-year old stand up comic with a cooking background; Jeffrey, a 43-year old caterer; Adam, 30, a fifteen year kitchen veteran and theater performer; Lisa, a 31-year old restaurant owner who already reminds me of Omarosa from “The Apprentice”; Aaron, a 36-year old hospital chef; and Nipa, 35, a self-taught cook with a bubbly personality.
They began the show by introducing the season’s judges — network star Bobby Flay, and network executives Susie Fogelson and Bob Tuschman. Then they brought out another network personality, Alton Brown. Alton is not afraid of the camera in the least, and he announced the first challenge, which was for each contestant to give a one-sentence “point of view” that described their cooking style. Most of them did pretty good, except for Cory, a stand up comic who pretty much froze on camera, and Lisa, who talked in big words and confused Alton and everyone else.
After being shown to their carriage house where all of the contestants will live, they awoke to their first elimination challenge the next morning. They were broken up into groups of two and then had to create three dishes in 30 minutes for a panel of judges — one specialty by each, and one collaborative effort. The judging panel was made up of the show’s judges, as well as network stars such as Giada DeLaurentiis, Sandra Lee, the Neelys and Iron Chef Masahara Morimoto.
Shane and Nipa went first and Shane’s pork tenderloin was not cooked all the way through, while Nipa’s potatoes were lacking a key ingredient or two. Lisa and Kevin followed, and Lisa was pretty much being a pain in Kevin’s butt just like he had feared. And once again she didn’t do well on camera, confusing everyone with her mission. Jen and Adam made a meatloaf with about eight different kind of meats, and tried to cook it in under 10 minutes. They managed to get that done right, but Adam didn’t cook his potatoes enough. Kelsey and Aaron did a good job, but Kelsey’s bubbly personality was a bit over the top. Then Jeffrey and Kory went last, with Jeffrey’s over-salted deviled eggs and Kory’s too-sweet salmon. And again, Kory froze on the delivery.
At judgment time, the first six to be safe were Aaron, Kelsey, Jeffrey, Kevin, Jennifer, and Adam. That left Shane, Nipa, Lisa and Kory. The judges told Shane he needed his youthful personality to shine through, but he was safe. They told Nipa she was overconfident, then declared her safe. That left Lisa and Kory. Lisa seems a bit Omarosa-ish, and by that I mean terribly full of herself, but they gave her another chance and eliminated Kory. I mean, when you are a stand-up comic and can’t perform in front of a camera, cooking skills or not, you’re toast.
It’s way early and difficult to handicap the field, but I give an early edge to Kevin, who not only seems to be a good cook, but his radio personality comes through; to Kelsey, who once she sheds that Rachel Ray overbearance, may turn out decent; and Jennifer, who as a single mom and executive chef seems like she can combine her skills and life experience with her bubbly personality.
So that’s it. Did you catch it? Did you TiVo it? I’m telling you, this show is good, whether you’re into food or not. And really, who among us isn’t? See you next week…..
