Author: Mike Farley (Page 59 of 117)

Four questions with Jen Isham, the first eliminated Next Food Network Star contestant

June 10, 2009 /

Getting to the TV portion of “The Next Food Network Star” from among thousands of contestants is no easy feat. To get there, though, and then be eliminated after the first episode has to be a tough pill to swallow. Jen Isham was eliminated this past Sunday, and we had the chance to chat with Jen about that early elimination and her plans post-show:

Premium Hollywood: Did you feel like you were not given a fair shot with such an abrupt elimination?

Jen Isham: Some one had to go home the first episode. I think there was lot of me the selection committee did not get to see, as well as the viewers – but they had to make a choice. I respect them all; they obviously are pretty successful in what they do. BUT I still think it shouldn’t have been me! 🙂

PH: Was it your idea to make the green beans?

JI: You know the whole menu planning went fast. Veggie was the only thing really left when I had the chance to speak. I did choose to make green beans; they are my favorite veggie. I liked them as did my team.

PH: What are your plans now?

JI: I have been working on my website, my cookbook/guide for the modern gal, and posting on my blog. www.jenisham.blogspot.com

PH: Who do you think will win Season 5 now that you have been eliminated?

JI: It’s a tough call. All of the contestants are so different and talented. I prefer to laugh and be entertained watching a cooking show, so my vote is for Michael!

External TV, Reality TV, The Next Food Network Star, TV

Get ready for Top Chef Masters on Bravo this Wednesday June 10

June 8, 2009 /

If you’ve been jonesing for your “Top Chef” fix since Hosea was crowned Season 5 champ a few months back, you’re in for a summer treat–a new reality series called “Top Chef Masters.” Unlike the original series, “Masters” pits top-notch professional chefs against one another each week for charity, and then the winners of the first six rounds will square off the last few weeks of the season, with one chef being eliminated each week until someone is named Top Chef Master. That winner will receive $100,000 for their charity.

Guest stars and judges will include Neil Patrick Harris, Zooey Deschanel and Jeff Lewis, as well as “Top Chef” regulars Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons.

The first episode airs this Wednesday, June 10 on Bravo at 10pm ET/PT and 9pm central and will feature chefs Hubert Keller, Christopher Lee, Tim Love, and Michael Schlow. Hosting the show is Kelly Choi, food journalist and creator/producer/host of “Eat Out NY.”

After watching a screener of the first episode, I can only say that I cannot wait to see more of this show and to see how it all unfolds over the course of the summer. It doesn’t matter if you’ve seen “Top Chef” before or not–if you’re a foodie, or if you just like good reality TV, you’ll want to watch this or season pass it on your TiVo. We’ll also be blogging the show each Thursday after Wednesday’s episode, so follow it all here on Premium Hollywood as well.

External TV, Reality TV, Top Chef Masters, TV

The Next Food Network Star: Into the fire to start Season 5

June 8, 2009 /

Nothing like being thrown into the fire, huh? Last night, Season 5 of “The Next Food Network Star” kicked off with the ten finalists meeting in their cramped living quarters, and then being basically being thrown into a cage with wild animals…..well, you know what I mean. They had to cater a party for the network’s “sweet 16” party, where celebrities and Food Network stars would be eating their creations and critiquing them. Yikes.

The ten (Brett August (Washington Heights, N.Y.), Katie Cavuto (Philadelphia, Pa.), Melissa d’Arabian (Keller, Texas), Teddy Folkman (Alexandria, Va.), Eddie Gilbert (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), Jen Isham (Orlando, Fla.), Debbie Lee (West Hollywood, Calif.), Jamika Pessoa (Atlanta, Ga.), Michael Proietti (New York, N.Y.) and Jeffrey Saad (Los Angeles, Calif.). were broken up into two teams of five, with Bobby Flay picking those teams. Bretty, Teddy, Jamika, Melissa, and Jen made up one team and Michael, Debbie, Katie, Jeffrey and Eddie the other. Each team had $1200 to shop for their ingredients and five hours to prepare their dishes. The event would be held at Alex Guarnaschelli’s Butter restaurant.

Continue reading »

External TV, Reality TV, The Next Food Network Star, TV

The Next Food Network Star new season debuts Sunday June 7

June 2, 2009 /

Yes, it’s really been a year since Aaron McCargo, Jr. won Season 4 of “The Next Food Network Star,” one of the network’s most popular and talked about shows. Since then, McCargo has his own show, and Season 2 champ Guy Fieri is about as ubiquitous on TV as Peyton Manning or Oprah. So, you see, The Food Network takes this show very seriously, and well they should. Not only is it vital for them to keep finding new talent, but we are able to enjoy the process as ten finalists battle it out with tough challenges and nerve wracking on-camera experiences.

Season 5, which kicks off this Sunday June 7 at 9:00 pm ET/PT and 8:00 pm CST, features finalists Brett August (Washington Heights, N.Y.), Katie Cavuto (Philadelphia, Pa.), Melissa d’Arabian (Keller, Texas), Teddy Folkman (Alexandria, Va.), Eddie Gilbert (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), Jen Isham (Orlando, Fla.), Debbie Lee (West Hollywood, Calif.), Jamika Pessoa (Atlanta, Ga.), Michael Proietti (New York, N.Y.) and Jeffrey Saad (Los Angeles, Calif.).

The challenges promise to be even tougher this time around according to a press release, and we had the chance to ask judge and long-time network personality, restauranteur and Iron Chef Bobby Flay how he felt about the challenges.

“I do think sometimes the challenges are hard, but that’s what this is about,” he said. “If everyone was perfect in every challenge, there would be nothing to watch. You want to see how they do under pressure and how they handle it.”

In addition, since Flay is the lone chef on the judging panel along with Food Network execs Bob Tuschman (Senior Vice President, Programming and Production) and Susie Fogelson (Vice President, Marketing and Brand Strategy); he admits that he is looking more for that special culinary talent first and foremost, while the other two may have different priorities.

“Since I’m the chef on the panel, I’m always protecting the food,” he said. “It’s three things–they need to be able to cook with authority, they need to be able to be a good teacher and inspire, and then if they have those two things they need to be entertaining. All three of those things are the recipe for success.”

In addition to Flay, there are several network personalities that will help with the challenges and with guidance to the ten finalists. Those include Rachael Ray, Giada De Laurentiis, Alton Brown, Guy Fieri, Ina Garten, Emeril Lagasse, Gina and Pat Neely, Masaharu Morimoto, Ted Allen, Tyler Florence, Michael Symon McCargo, Jr.

We’ll be blogging the entire season right here starting this Monday, so tune in and then read us right here and let us know what you think!

External TV, Reality TV, The Next Food Network Star, TV

Scripps unveils “Man Kitchen” on Food2.com

May 22, 2009 /

Scripps, the parent company of Food Network, has launched Food2.com, an interactive, video-centric website with lots of shows, blogs and other content. One of their new shows is “Man Kitchen,” a show hosted by former NFL tight end Keith Neubert, who played just one-plus full season for the Jets in the late ’80’s, but is a natural in front of the camera and in the kitchen.

The episode clips online have Neubert cooking up dude-friendly items such as salmon burgers (might not sound like dude food, but the one he makes is literally the size of his own head), pizzadillas, sloppy joes, and beer can chicken among others. His favorite side? Tater tots.

And when Neubert seasons his creations, someone throws him the salt and pepper shakers and he hurls them back, informing the other person to “go long.” Yeah, it’s goofy but it’s the kind thing guys, especially novice cooks, will love. And how about the show’s tag line, which really says it all: “Knives. Flames. Alcohol. What could go wrong?”

For more information or for other Food2 shows and content, please visit Food2.com

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