The Next Food Network Star: Jen is Eliminated
It was the premiere episode of “The Next Food Network Star,” but the contestants didn’t have much time to rest. They were to cater a sweet 16 party for the Food Network. At the party would be a lot of food dignitaries including Iron Chef Morimoto and one of my favorites, Ted Allen.
The contestants were split up into two teams. Brett was the captain of the Green Team, which also included Teddy, Jamika, Jen, and Melissa. Debbie was the captain of the Red Team, which also included Michael, Edward, Katie, and Jeffrey.
The contestants had to present their dishes, so they would be judged not only on the dish, but presentation too. I felt sorry for Katie – I think she mentioned “colorful” at least three times in her presentation. Michael knocked it out of the park as did Jeffrey, who Bobby Flay said made him hungry just listening to him talk.
Some of the dishes scored and some didn’t. The Red Team had a problem because Debbie went WAY over the $1,200 budget and had to put stuff back. Someone was going to make beignets, but Debbie couldn’t find the dough, so she picked up store bought angel food cake. Seriously, that should have been the kiss of death for her, but she admitted she was wrong and was spared.
The best three were Michael, Jeffrey, and Melissa, although she was told to temper her talking. Jeffrey ended up being the winner of the night, for which I gathered he got nothing. Jamika’s shrimp was terrible, but her slaw was good, so she was saved as was Teddy, despite the fact that his potatoes were raw. The bottom three were Brett, whose filet mignon was said to have soggy mushrooms, Edward, whose BLAST ball had no flavor and his presentation was very “corporate,” and Jen, who made green beans that Morimoto said could be found at the corner grocery.
In the end, it was Jen who was sent home for her green beans. Personally, I thought they looked pretty good, but she was told they were not worthy of being served at the party. Ouch.
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