Category: The Next Food Network Star (Page 8 of 10)

It began eight weeks ago and just like that, reached its finale. “The Next Food Network Star” was like a whirlwind because, well, it was. And instead of torturing us with a two-hour finale like many other reality shows do, last night’s one-hour show was just enough. And they also kept us on the edge of our seats the entire time, because none of us really could guess accurately who was going to win.

After a lot of recapping the season, it was down to business, and the final challenge, which was to create their own pilot in Rachel Ray’s studio. Each contestant had to brainstorm what they wanted their actual show to be, and were able to work with producer Gordon Elliot, who appears to be able to extract the best out of everyone he works with.

Lisa began, and her theme was beautiful basics. As she did at the start of the season Continue reading »

Sunday night is the season finale of “The Next Food Network Star,” and it’s a three-way battle between Aaron McCargo Jr., Adam Gertler and Lisa Garza. It’s shaping up to maybe be the most exciting season finale of the show so far. We had the chance to speak to Aaron and Adam to see what they think about their chances and about their performance so far:

First, Adam Gertler….

Premium Hollywood: What do you think you have to do to win over Bobby Flay? (PS – I kind of want to punch him for you!)

Adam Gertler: Bobby’s not convinced that I’m serious about the food completely. I need to pull out a somewhat innovative dish to prove my cooking chops.

PH: If you don’t win, what will be your next career move?

AG: I’m planning on starting a catering business, win , lose, or draw. nothing too big. I also want to keep performing, acting, just keep doing what I love really. I’m not much of a planner really.

PH: If you do win, what type of show can we expect from you?

AG: Hopefully the funniest show on Food Network. A show that you might want to watch no matter what your level of culinary prowess. Chefs will laugh at me, and novice cooks will learn with me.

and Aaron McCargo Jr….

PH: You seem to be an amazing cook. What is your personal favorite dish of everything you’ve made this season?

AM: It’s a tie between the stuffed pork and chicken parm

PH: What type of show will you have if you win?

AM: A show based on having family and friends in the kitchen cooking. I want to create flavor filled meals and dish out large portions in an atmosphere full of music, laugher and a drink.

PH: Do you feel like you have new life after struggling with the challenge last week?

AM: I don’t feel like I struggled. I think the buffet was a matter of preference.

Check out the season finale this Sunday night at 10pm ET/9pm CT on the Food Network!

Last night’s episode of “The Next Food Network Star” featured the remaining three–Adam, Lisa and Aaron–in another Las Vegas battle to decide who would reach the finale. This week’s guest was Guy Fieri, who won this very competition in Season 2 and is now a star on the network with two shows of his own, “Guy’s Big Bite” and “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.” The three finalists look at Guy and know that they want to win badly.

So the first challenge was all Vegas. They had to each perform in front of the camera for a 30-second promo. But of course, there is that walking and chewing gum at the same time thing again. Lisa went first and had to be one of those “wine angels” in a restaurant that has a very high wine rack and uses people in harnesses to bring them down. Lisa was asked to go up really high while doing her lines. Yikes. I mean, what if she was afraid of heights? Then, Aaron was asked to do his promo in a casino while throwing craps. Clearly that was the easiest of the promos. Adam was asked to do his on a stage with two showgirls at his side.

Then it was on to the main challenge. Each contestant was asked to come up with a Vegas style buffet Continue reading »

Last night on “The Next Food Network Star,” the final four faced off in a Bobby Flay-style “throwdown” in Las Vegas. In two separate two-against-two matches, they had to make their own signature dish, dressed up for Vegas, and then a version of their opponents’ dish. But as they always do on this show, the contestants were asked to do this in 75 minutes time, and while being interviewed by Extra’s Dayna Devon. In addition to the three regular judges–Bobby Flay, Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson, network star Paula Deen was also recruited to judge the dishes.

First up was Adam vs. Lisa. In real Food Network terms, this is like pitting Guy Fieri against the Barefoot Contessa. Adam’s dish was macaroni and cheese, which he decided to amp up with lobster. Lisa made a cassoulet, which is a bean and sausage type stew. Adam had never made a cassoulet, so you would think he was at an extreme disadvantage. Anyway, the judges loved both signature dishes, and Adam’s Vegas style gamble of using lobster paid off. But Lisa’s mac & cheese fell short…of course, she had to foo it up by using goat cheese..blech! Paula Deen said she “hated it,” which had to hurt. Meanwhile, Adam’s cassoulet was a good try but also fell short with the judges. Also, both of them kind of brushed off Dayna during the interview segment, which is not good when you’re trying to be a Food Network Star. They fully expect you to walk and chew gum and cook a gourmet meal at the same time.

Then it was Kelsey vs. Aaron. Kelsey’s dish was chicken parmesan and Aaron’s was stuffed pork loin.
But Kelsey tried to simplify her own dish, putting the chicken on skewers and making it almost kid-friendly. She also admitted that a big dish like a pork loin was beyond her realm Continue reading »

Shane Lyons is only 19 years old, but battled to be The Next Food Network Star like he was at least ten years older than that. This kid has a bright future as a chef and possibly a TV host, but for now he has to sit back and watch the Final Four battle it out. We had the chance to speak with Shane briefly after he was eliminated from the competition and here is what he had to say…..

Premium Hollywood: If there was one thing you could change about your performance on the show, what would that be?

Shane Lyons: I learned when i was very young that it never made sense to dwell on an audition or performance, trying to figure out what I would have change. You can drive yourself crazy if you have the mind set of “Oh if i only did…” or “If i just…”. I performed the way did because i trusted my instincts and was living in the moment and i reacted in the best possible way at the time in the very unusual circumstances we were performing in. Hindsight is always 20/20.

PH: What did you learn on the show that you intend to apply to your own career?

SL: I learned I accomplish a lot in a very short amount of time with very little resources —which I imagine will provide inspiration later in my career.

PH: Did you have any moments that you were starstruck? If so, when and with who?

SL: Chef Cat Cora. She is every young cook’s dream.

PH: Were those living quarters as cramped as they appear on TV?

SL: It was like a mix between a very flamboyantly decorated sleep away camp, boot camp, and prison.

PH: Who do you think will win it all now that you’ve been eliminated?

SL: The same person I thought would win from the get go. My man Aaron has it in the bag. He has a lot of love and great food to share.