Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The Next Food Network Star - Finale

I’m a little late on this one.  Those of us who weren’t spoiled by Food Network’s colossal mistake in revealing the winner on their website before the finale aired watched with great anticipation to see who would be granted the title of The Next Food Network Star.  This season was the first in which the audience didn’t vote for the winner, instead, the winner was chosen by the judges.  No doubt this was a result of the events from last season when winner Amy Finley taped a single series and then moved to France with her family.  The network likely would have chosen Rory as their winner and probably decided to leave nothing to chance this time around.

So who would it be?

Lisa?

Adam?

Aaron?

After weeks of constructive criticism, Bob, Susie and Bobby lavished the three finalists with praise.

Producer Gordon Elliott said any of the three could have a successful show on the network.  Then again, what else is he going to say?  He produced them all.

The eliminated contestants pretended to look happy for the three chefs on stage.  Well, except for Cory. 

I think we all know who Tony and I wanted.  Elsa FTW!

Going into the finale, I predicted Lisa as the winner.  Her show, Beautiful Basics, was exactly that.  Although a different color choice of dress against the color scheme of Rachael Ray’s hideous set would have made the “beautiful” part stand out a bit more.

Look up, Elsa.  For the love of god, look up.

She did a lot of this arm-sweep movement thing during her presentation.  Not sure what that was, but I liked it.  Very authoritative.

Lisa did a lot of stuff when she was 13.  Fishing, making sabayon, all kinds of stuff.

I don’t think I have ever said mmmmmmmm to cod in my life, but ok, if you say so.

I totally love this girl and would absolutely watch her show.  Unfortunately I could tell as her pilot wrapped that she wouldn’t be the winner.  Boooooooo FN!

On to Adam.

Hungry In Philadelphia.  Interesting concept.  Bad name.  “Real” people contact Adam via Teh Internets with a culinary problem for Adam to fix.  Sorta Food 911 meets How to Boil Water meets Ask Aida (no, I don’t think it was a conspiracy and no I don’t think they “stole” Adam’s idea) meets Emeril Green.  I like it!

Yikes, Adam’s a little too announcer-y in his delivery.  Not sure about that.

Webcampalooza. 

Ew. 

A few episodes ago, they were skewering Nipa for wasting a large piece of fish that she attempted to fillet.  Now they’re hooting it up as Adam treats food like a toy. 

Pistol-twirling those tongs?  Totally awesome. 

My gut reaction to this pilot was that it’d be the winner.  Great premise, very engaging and funny host, cooking techniques that people could actually do at home. 

Still to come...Aaron.

OMG.  Big Daddy’s Kitchen?  No.  Please tell me that’s not the name of his show.  Dear god.

I don’t know why but I could watch an entire show of chopping. 

Aaron is clearly passionate about food.  But I’m having a hard time understanding some of the things he says.  “Marriage in your mouth” was all garbled.  More like marbles in your mouth.

You need to get your eyes checked!  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.  That was funny.  I laughed.

Ok, now this whole “you’re gonna want what I got” business is just creepy and uncomfortable.

Could they show the audience (especially Bobby Flay and Shane) going berzerk for this guy any more?  He’s totally getting the winners edit.  Aaron’s got it.  No question in my mind. 

Ta da!  I was right (the third time)! 

Would I watch Aaron’s show?  Probably not.  Any one of these three contestants would make a good Food Network host, so I’m not disappointed in FN’s choice.  If they were smart, they’d give Adam a webcast show so they could ease him onto the network quietly.  And another network would be smart to snap Lisa up for a show of her own.  I would watch her religiously.