September 26, 2008
Food Network will soon be holding auditions for the fifth season of its highly popular competitive reality series, The Next Food Network Star. Following the recently completed fourth season, which saw Aaron McCargo, Jr. as the winner, the show is now looking for prospective chefs and home cooks who will showcase their outstanding culinary expertise for a chance to star on his or her own Food Network series.
According to the network's press release, The Next Food Network is inviting professional and amateur chefs to apply beginning Friday, October 3 from 10am to 3pm in Washington D.C. at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Washington.
August 6, 2008
The Next Food Network Star champ, Aaron McCargo Jr., isn't the only one getting his own reality series on the Food Network. Despite not being named the winner, finalist Adam Gertler has also been awarded his own program.
Gertler, a 30-year-old former restaurateur, server and actor from Philadelphia, was one of the three finalists on the recently concluded fourth season of The Next Food Network Star. He and 32-year-old restaurant owner Lisa Garza lost to Aaron McCargo Jr. on Sunday's finale.
July 31, 2008
The Next Food Network Star just concluded its fourth season last Sunday, smashing all records for Food Network and becoming the highest-rated and most-watched telecast in its history. The finale began with the three remaining finalists returning to Food Network's New York City headquarters, where they learned they'd each be creating a fully-produced pilot presentation for their respective shows. Aaron McCargo Jr., the 36-year-old Thomas Jefferson University Hospital executive catering chef from Camden, New Jersey, was named this season's champ as he defeated 30-year-old former restaurateur Adam Gertler and 32-year-old restaurant owner Lisa Garza.
"It wasn't an easy road," Aaron said after his victory. "I started doubting myself a lot. But I made it, I'm here, I'm a star. I wanted this so that everyone can know never give up on your dreams."
July 28, 2008
On last night’s season finale of The Next Food Network Star, Aaron McCargo Jr. was named the winner and his new show, tentatively titled Big Daddy’s Kitchen, is supposed to debut on the Food Network next week. Though some fans may have been surprised by the outcome, many were not as the Food Network accidentally revealed the winner last Thursday, three days before the finale actually aired. The site featured a video with the three finalists that included the name of the winning contestant’s show. Food Network publicist Lisa Krueger released a statement apologizing and still encouraged fans to tune in to the finale, saying that the show is full of twists and turns.
July 27, 2008
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.
July 23, 2008
On last Sunday's episode of The Next Food Network Star, the final three contestants headed to Vegas where they met up with Bobby Flat and Guy Fieri. They each had to complete a 30 second promo video, set in a prominent Vegas location. The finalists also had to prepare a buffet to serve to some of the best entertainers in Vegas. Aaron, Adam, and Lisa all had great moments but they also each struggled in key areas such as presentation and food preparation. When it was time for the selection committee to deliberate, they could not reach a decision and, for the first time, decided to send all three to the finale. Today, Aaron, Adam, and Lisa spoke to BuddyTV in an exclusive interview, dishing on each other, the judges, and their best moments this season! Read on to hear what they had to say.
July 20, 2008
On tonight’s episode of The Next Food Network Star, the final three contestants meet up with Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri, the winner of The Next Food Network Star’s 2nd season. Bobby and Guy inform the final three that they’ll have to film a 30 second promo in a prominent Vegas location. When Lisa had to do hers on a cable in a gigantic wine tower, she lost her focus and stumbled through her video shoot. Aaron walked and talked on the floor of a Vegas casino, while trying to get over his fear of the camera. Adam struggled mixing his lines with the choreography he was given to perform with Vegas showgirls. Guy takes all three tapes and brings them back to the judges for evaluation, with all three nervous about the performances they turned in.
July 13, 2008
On tonight's episode of The Next Food Network Star, the final four contestants head off to Vegas and stay at the magnificent Caesar's Palace. As soon as they arrive in their fabulous suite, they receive a note from Bobby Flay telling them to meet him downstairs at Mesa Grill. When they arrive, they're greeted by Bobby and Food Network personality Paula Deen. They all sit down for a meal and Paula shares her story with the contestants as to how she ended up becoming the huge star that she is. It's not all pleasantries, though. As soon as the meal is over, Bobby tells the final four that they'll compete in a throwdown and replicate their opponent's signature dish. As if that wasn't enough, they'd be interviewed, while cooking, by Dayna Devon of Extra.