On tonight's finale of
The Next Food Network Star, it's down to the final three contestants -
Adam,
Aaron, and
Lisa. The finalists meet with Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson to find out that for their final challenge, they'll have to produce their own pilot, which will be shown in front of a studio audience and the selection committee. They meet with super Food Network producer, Gordon Eliott, who gives them a little time to plan out their ideas before sitting down with him to discuss them. Gordon likes Lisa's "beautiful basics" idea the best but wants to make sure that she doesn't come off as a know it all. Gordon also wants Aaron to call his show "Big Daddy's Kitchen", after a nickname that his friends gave him. Adam uses an internet angle to reach out to his viewers that Gordon seemed to love.
During Lisa's take, Gordon encourages her to be accessible and get the viewers to like her. She softens it up and starts to make herself more accessible to the average Food Network viewer. Adam answers a cry for help from a viewers who has the roasted chicken blues. His viewer keeps asking questions while he's trying to prepare his food, which really throws him off. He gets it together for his last take and Gordon says that it felt like a show that could be seen on the Food Network. Aaron rushes through his first few takes but eases into a nice pace before his time in front of the camera is up.
In front of a studio audience, the three contestants watch nervously while their pilots air. The previously eliminated contestants also join them to offer their support and find out how this competition will end. The judges were impressed with Lisa, feeling that she's alway full of surprises - in a good way! The judges felt that Adam not only came across as funny, but knowledgeable as well. Aaron's pilot was a success, with the judges feeling that he brought all the best parts of his personality to his show.
In deliberation, Bob felt that Adam was just very easy to watch. Susie was happy with Aaron's food knowledge and Bobby said that he was rooting for him when he watched the pilot. Susie thought that Lisa came across as very accessible and Bobby called her "intriguing". Bob liked all three but said it would all boil down to who they felt would be ready to start tomorrow. That person ended up being - AARON MCCARGO JR!
Big Daddy's Kitchen will air on the Food Network!
Are you happy with the outcome of The Next Food Network Star?
- Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of Food Network)