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Will You Watch Melissa d'Arabian's New Show?

YumSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:45:17 -0700

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?

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Were You Surprised by Who Won The Next Food Network Star?

YumSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:50:00 -0700

Last night was the season finale of The Next Food Network Star, and I couldn't wait to tune in to find out the winner. Was it going to be the laid-back, well-spoken world traveler, Jeffrey Saad - or the resourceful, vivacious mom, Melissa d'Arabian?

In my opinion, it was obvious which contestant was more marketable, so I wasn't the least bit surprised when the winner was announced. What about you?

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Have You Been Watching Season 5's Next Food Network Star?

YumSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:00:19 -0700

The fifth season of The Next Food Network Star is now four episodes deep, and I'm wondering how much you've been tuning in to watch it. After four seasons, does the show still feel compelling and fresh?

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The Next Food Network Star Recap: Episode One

YumSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:45:53 -0700

A week ago, I introduced you to this season's contestants on The Next Food Network Star, and last night we saw the 10 competitors in action for the first time. They'd barely settled into their new digs before facing their first challenge: to cater the network's sweet 16 party for more than 75 guests, including Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and stars like Giada De Laurentiis and Alton Brown.

Although all 10 cast members appeared to bond right away, I wasn't experiencing the same connection to them on the small screen. Hopefully, I'll soon be convinced otherwise. Find out my thoughts on the show - and share yours! - when you read more.

Most of the contestants didn't seem comfortable speaking. Were you as stunned as I was to find that outgoing personalities like Brett and Eddie became awkward and flat in front of the camera?
I was surprised that dietitian Katie Cavuto, with her plain Swiss chard and stereotypical spinach salad, didn't wind up on the chopping block. What did you think of her dishes?
Debbie, with her awful leadership skills, also should have faced elimination. Although she jumped at the opportunity to take charge, she turned out to be an ineffective leader and poor judge of character. Shouldn't she have taken ownership of the atrocious angel food dessert?
I thought the judges were spot on to eliminate Jen. Her food looked bland, and I couldn't take her seriously at all. In fact, I felt like she set womankind back a few decades with some of her remarks. What makes her a "housewife 2.0" anyway? It's entirely de rigueur for women to work full-time and cook every night. And what was with the parting comment about "making babies"?
Who are you rooting for so far? I don't mind watching Michael, Jeffrey, and Teddy. I already can't stand Brett and Debbie.

What were your initial thoughts about the season? Share them with me below.

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Meet the Season 5 Contestants of The Next Food Network Star!

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:30:07 -0700

Clear your Sunday night schedules, because season five of The Next Food Network Star kicks off June 7! The last competition - which produced both Aaron McCargo and Adam Gertler - proved to be a major success, and this crop of contestants looks to be every bit as talented. Read on to find out who they are.
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Kelsey and Spike Debut Their New Show on Food2

partysugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:05:28 -0700

During the last season of the Next Food Network Star, many of you thought perky blond Kelsey Nixon had serious star potential and were shocked when she got kicked off the show. But the spunky home chef assured readers she wouldn't be going anywhere when she announced she was getting her own show with Top Chef's Spike Mendelsohn on Food Network spinoff site Food2.

The enthusiastic contestant kept her word. Today, Kelsey & Spike Cook debuted on Food2's website with two episodes: one demo of easy-to-make steak and another featuring breakfast items. Unlike Food Network's other new show, 5 Ingredient Fix, I feel an instant connection with the duo - especially since we've gotten to know them on reality shows past.

They have a fun, lighthearted chemistry that holds my attention. Watch the video below and tell me what you think. Do you like the duo's dynamic? What do you think of the Food2 beta website and its other new shows?

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Food Network Stirs the Pot With New Lineup

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:00:06 -0700

Belong to the camp that loves watching the Food Network? You'll be happy to know that it's not only bringing back some of its popular shows for more seasons, but it'll also be adding some surprising new developments into the mix.

The Next Food Network Star is back for a fifth season in June - and a sixth is already planned for 2010. Once Top Chef Masters is over, you can tune into season two of The Next Iron Chef, which returns in October. Wondering what happened to season one contestants Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez? Well, they'll be featured in a new program called Chef vs. City.

In the show, which debuts this July, the duo will be "pitted against two local foodies in a winner-takes-all race through a different city each week."

Intrigue is only one word we have for a new cooking show airing in August, starring none other than - you'll never guess - Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano. In the daytime show - tentatively and humorously titled What Would Brian Boitano Make?, the ice skater will demonstrate how he entertains for friends.

Also coming this year is Sandra Lee's budget-friendly cooking show Sandra's Money Saving Meals and Extreme Cuisine With Jeff Corwin, which sounds like Food Network's answer to Bizarre Foods. In 2010's lineup, Rescue Chef Danny Boome will host a new series that shows diners how to prepare healthier, cheaper versions of their favorite take-out dishes; Alton Brown will host a miniseries on foods that have changed the world; and Anne Burrell tackles a team of hopeless home cooks in Worst Cooks in America.

I can't wait to check out Boitano's show, for the shock factor. I'll also tune into watch Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez, some of my favorites from Next Iron Chef. What shows are you looking forward to watching?

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Yummy Links: From Leah Cohen to Korean Barbecue

partysugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 07:50:47 -0700

Making ravioli with Top Chef's Leah Cohen. - Decider New York
Learn the difference between pudding and custard. - Chow
Go green with Cuisinart's new Green Gourmet cookware. - Al Dente
One expert's advice on hosting the perfect Seder. - The Epi-Log
Padma Lakshmi appeared in this weekend's Parade magazine. - Eat Me Daily
Use a whisk to break up brown sugar. - The Kitchn
Find out what your favorite contestants from The Next Food Network Star are up to now. - The FN Dish
Take a trip to Korea in your kitchen by making this easy barbecue beef bulgogi. - Serious Eats

Who Is Your Favorite Food Reality Contestant of 2008?

partysugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:45:24 -0800

What would the food industry be without reality TV food competitions? 2008 was filled with interesting characters, odd-ball personalities, and plenty of heat in the kitchen. We covered the three main shows: Top Chef, Next Food Network Star, and Hell's Kitchen. While we love Stefan and Fabio from Top Chef 5, we thought to be fair, the poll should include only contestants from completed seasons. So as part of our ongoing Best of 2008 coverage, tell us: which cheftestant is your fav?

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Kelsey Nixon to Star on Food Network's Web Show

partysugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:00:52 -0800

Kelsey Nixon, the perky blonde contestant on the fourth season of the Next Food Network Star, is getting her own show. In the November issue of Utah Valley magazine, she discusses her new role at Food Network:

I've been approached by so many production companies, but I think Food Network is the route I should go. I'm working on a project with them right now - a web show about teaching cooking basics. . . My co-host on the show is Spike Mendelsohn from Top Chef and we have a great time. I'm the one to do the 'by-the-book' classic methods, and he uses crazy ingredients from all over the world.

The show will be a part of F2 a new website the Food Network is launching in early 09. According to Kelsey they plan to shoot 65 episodes and have wrapped filming on the first 13. This is an interesting move for Food Network and I definitely look forward to checking out the chemistry between bubbly Kelsey and spastic Spike. What do you think of the unlikely duo?

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