The Next Food Network Star
"The Next Food Network Star" is a reality show, which airs on the Food Network. The show features contestants vying to become the next star of his or her own Food Network show. Each week, the chefs must perform a challenge and one is eliminated until only the winner is remaining. The winner gets a contract for six-episode show and their show may or may not be renewed for another season. "The Next Food Network Star" has been on the air for three seasons. Marc Summers was the host of the first two seasons, but the third season aired without a host.
Season Four
The Food Network has announced that the show will return for a fourth season, beginning in June 2008. The contestants for season 4 are Nipa Bhatt (a marketing manager), Jennifer Cochrane (an executive chef), Lisa Garza (a kitchenwear fashion designer and restaurant owner), Adam Gertler, (a former restaurateur, server, and actor), Cory Kahaney (a stand-up comic), Shane Lyons, (a private chef), Aaron McCargo Jr. (an executive catering chef), Kelsey Nixon (a freelance food writer and culinary class instructor), Kevin Roberts (a radio contributor, restaurant owner, and cookbook author), and Jeffrey Vaden (a caterer and former restaurateur).
Season Three
Season 3 allowed the viewers to pick the winner from the two finalists, but the season was marred with controversy. It was discovered the finalist Joshua Adam Garcia (JAG) had falsified his resume (he hadn't graduated from chef school and had not been deployed to Afghanistan while in the Marine Corps as he had stated). Food Network allowed him to withdraw from the competition, allowing third place finisher Amy Finley to face Rory Schepisi in the finale.
Amy Finley was chosen by the viewing public to the "Next Food Network Star." Her show, "The Gourmet Next Door" began showing on October 14, 2007, however, there are no current plans for a second season.
Season Two
Season 2 began airing in March 2006. Guy Fieri was named the winner on April 23, 2006. Guy's show, "Guy's Big Bite" began airing in June 2006 and the show was just renewed for a second season. Guy is also the host of the Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives."
The runner-up for season 2 was Nathan Lyon, who has since become a close friend of Guy's. Nathan got his own show on the Discover Health Channel titled "A Lyon in the Kitchen."
Season One
The first season of "The Next Food Network Star" premiered on June 2005. Of the nine contestants, Chicago caterers Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh were named the winners. For their win, they hosted a show called "Party Line with the Hearty Boys" (originally titled "Party Line with Dan & Steve"), which began airing in September 2005.
The runner-up of season one was Deborah Fewell, who hosted a beach food special for the Food Network titled "Surf N Turf." Some of the other season one contestants have gone on to fame as well. Michael Thomas (who finished in sixth place) regularly appears as a chef on "The Tyra Banks Show" and Susannah Locketti (who finished in 4th place) is the on-air chef for Publix grocery stores.
Latest Eliminated from Iron Chef America
Iron Chef America: Battle Coffee!
Posted: 8 Apr 2008
This week’s episode found Chef Ken Oringer calling out Iron Chef Cat Cora to battle. The secret ingredient was coffee, which made my husband drool just hearing the word. The judges were Ted Allen (who threw me off by changing his glasses), executive chef Alexandra Guarnasch, and Oprah’s personal chef, Art Smith.
Chef Oringer presented give [...]
Iron Chef America: Battle Ginger!
Posted: 25 Mar 2008
This week, sushi specialist Chef Tyson Cole decided to challenge Iron Chef Morimoto. The secret ingredient was ginger. Judging the competition was culinary journalist Akiko Katayama, Jeffrey Steingarten, and food blogger Pim.
Chef Cole served up five dishes: black snapper sashimi and ginger ale (which Jeffrey said was “delightful”), wild sea bass with galangal puree and [...]
Iron Chef America: Battle Spinach
Posted: 17 Mar 2008
This week, Iron Chef Bobby Flay was challenged by Chef Akira Back, who had trained under Morimoto. The secret ingredient was spinach. Judges were restaurateur Donatella Apara, actress Cady Huffman and Jeffrey Steingarten.
Chef Back presented six dishes: tomato and spinach gelee (Cady felt the tomato was overpowering), chawan mushi (Jeffrey got bent out of shape [...]
Iron Chef America: Battle Chocolate…Again!
Posted: 11 Feb 2008
This week, Chef Alex Stupak, who specializes in pastry, took on Iron Chef Cat Cora. The secret ingredient – chocolate! The judges were Ted Allen, chef/author Domenica Catelli, and Jeffrey Steingarden.
Chef Stupak presented five dishes: marinated bay scallops with cocoa lime vinaigrette (which Domenica called “fantastic”), chocolate stuffed quail, milk chocolate pudding (which Jeffrey thought [...]
