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 Dorade
Posted: 29 Jun 2009
This week’s “Iron Chef America” pitted Chef Phillipe Excoffier against Iron Chef Bobby Flay. The secret ingredient was dorade. The judges were food author Michael Ruhlman, Jenna Wolfe of “Sunday Today,” and Andrew Knowlton of Bon Appetit.
Chef Excoffier presented five dishes: dorade tartare with gazpacho (Jenna found it difficult to eat), carmelized [...]
Iron Chef America: Battle Octopus
Posted: 8 Jun 2009
This week on “Iron Chef America,” Gavin Kaysen wanted a little culinary revenge and decided to get it by taking on Iron Chef Michael Symon. The two had battled before on “The Next Iron Chef,” with Kaysen eventually being beat out by Symon. The secret ingredient was octopus.
The judges were Alec Lobrano from [...]
Iron Chef America: Battle Skirt Steak
Posted: 1 Jun 2009
Tonight was a new “Iron Chef America” challenge between Chef Sam Mason and Iron Chef Morimoto. The secret ingredient was skirt steak. The judges were author Michael Ruhlman, actress Kate Flannery (“The Office”), and Jeffrey Steingarten.
Chef Mason presented five dishes: skirt tartare with marjoram emulsion (Jeffrey said it was strong but delicious), [...]
Iron Chef America: Battle Alaskan King Crab
Posted: 23 Feb 2009
This week’s Iron Chef America saw Chef Amanda Freitag take on Iron Chef Bobby Flay. The secret ingredient was Alaskan king crab. The judges this week were Maggie Rodriguez from “The Early Show,” Keyshawn Johnson, a former NFL player/ESPN commentator/restaurateur, and Domenica Catelli, a food author. Did you notice this season’s Top [...]
