Food Network's Melissa d'Arabian is at the top of her game. It was only four months ago that she was announced winner of the Next Food Network Star; now her new show, Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian, has been renewed for a second season.
I spoke with the energetic young mom, who seemed surprisingly grounded in spite of her recent TV success, about her whirlwind year, her show, and her favorite $10 dinner of all. See what she has to say after the jump.
Of all the year's celebrations, Thanksgiving often is the most expensive. In 2008, roughly a quarter of you said you were spending $150 or more. This year, to help you stay well within your budget, we've enlisted the help of Melissa d'Arabian, winner of the Next Food Network Star and host of Ten Dollar Dinners With Melissa d'Arabian.
On her Food Network show, Melissa makes dinner for four for under $10 — and her Thanksgiving is no different. She's partnered with Walmart to come up with a turkey day feast that's only $20, and plans to serve it to her own family this holiday. "My family is really getting the $20 thanksgiving!" she says. Regardless of how much you've got in your wallet, she has some pointers to help you stay under budget. See them when you read more.
From the beginning of The Next Food Network Star, mother of four Melissa d'Arabian seemed to be an unlikely candidate. She proved everyone wrong last week when she took the title on the season finale of the series.
Now she has her very own show, Ten Dollar Dinners With Melissa d'Arabian (a notable departure from her Kitchen Survival Guide pilot shown on the finale). It premieres on the Food Network this Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Will you be checking it out?
