Category: Reality TV (Page 68 of 118)

Five questions with Brett August of The Next Food Network Star

June 17, 2009 /

Season 5 of “The Next Food Network Star” is still young, and New York based Brett August was the second contestant to be eliminated. August was brash and bold, maybe like a stereotypical New Yorker, but ultimately it was the fact that the judges perceived August to have a lack of desire to really want to be a Food Network Star, at least compared to the other contestants. We had the chance to ask August a few questions on his way out…..

Premium Hollywood: Did you think you could have told Bob Tuschman and the other judges that you really wanted to win and that you could win a bit more convincingly, and that if you did you wouldn’t have been eliminated so early?

Brett August: I don’t know if that would have affected my outcome. But you look at yourself and you learn so many things, like I looked at myself and knew I was going bald on top of my head. There are so many things you learn, and it was just great. I loved it.

PH: Did you think April Fool’s Day was a tricky holiday to work with?

BA: Yeah, it’s a wonderful holiday to some people but I have never cooked for it. But now that I’ve come home, I’ve written up about twenty recipes for April Fool’s Day.

PH: What are your plans for the future?

BA: I think I’m going to start playing basketball for the Lakers. I’ll be their 2- guard. Well, really, the sky’s the limit, and I am hoping that this opens up so many doors for me.

PH: Do you feel bad about speaking up regarding helping Melissa or did you feel like something had to be said?

BA: It’s the competitive spirit in me that came out a little bit and for people who don’t know me; you might not want to watch me play basketball in Central Park. But Melissa and I are friends, and we might go out for martinis.

PH: Who do you like of the remaining eight to win it all?

BA: You know, it’d be great if they could all get their own TV show…they are all great individuals and amazing people. I’m going to wish them all luck, and whoever comes out on top deserves it.

The Next Food Network Star airs on Sundays at 9pm/8pm central on The Food Network.

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

The Next Food Network Star: easy to spot duds

June 15, 2009 /

Even after sifting through hundreds and thousands of applicants, the ten finalists who make it to the TV portion of “The Next Food Network Star” are there for a reason–they impressed several judges along the way with their combination of cooking ability and the way they present themselves on camera. But something funny happens when they get to this pressure cooker known as national TV….and the first few weeks of each season usually expose the pretenders. Last night was no different, and the same will likely go for the next few weeks.

The show began last night with an initial challenge, and the theme for this week was magazines. Bobby Flay was ready to greet the nine finalists along with Ryan, an editor from men’s mag Esquire, and they had a rapid fire challenge in which they had to uncover a serving tray and create a meal from what was on said tray. Since this would be geared toward Esquire’s male audience, the ingredients were some kind of meat, and another weird ingredient.

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

Top Chef Masters: Four dudes having fun

June 11, 2009 /

Last night was the premiere episode of “Top Chef Masters” on Bravo, a spinoff of the extremely popular “Top Chef” show that recently completed its fifth season. As we reported on Monday, this show pits four established, top-notch chefs against one another six weeks, and then the six winners compete against one another for a few more weeks, with one elimination taking place each week until the master is crowned.

The first episode featured Hubert Keller of Fleur de Lys in San Francisco; Michael Schlow of Radius Restaurant in Boston; Tim Love of the Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in Fort Worth; and Christopher Lee of Aureole in New York City. Kelly Choi was the host and her first assignment for the chefs was to create a dessert dish for the distinguished palates of four girl scouts. They mostly cringed, with Schlow in particular admitting he had no formal training as a baker.

But they forged ahead. Schlow’s cakes literally flopped but he managed to put something on the plate. Love made a favorite of his daughters — strawberries three ways, including a “chicken fried” strawberry. Lee went with French toast cubes, and Keller won with his play on chocolate mousse and meringues — which he shaped into little animals. So he had a jump start in points with 5. Love and Lee had 3.5 each and Schlow started with 2.5. Those points would go toward their final score after the main challenge.

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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

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