The Countdown continues and it is only 2 more days until the beginning of the competition to see who will become The Next Food Network Star.

Patrick Roff is a senior Sous Chef with a wife and a new baby on the way.  The baby boy Nathan was due in May…so congratulations are now probably in order.  He is probably one of only a couple contestants with  truly professional experience.  He has great culinary training and works an intense environment in a fine restaurant.  His edge is he uses local ingredients that are seasonally fresh.  From his introduction video, I would be shocked if he is not one of the contestants that makes it to the end.  He seemed not only highly trained and disciplined but he also comes across well on camera.

Michael Salmon is a food manager from NYC.  He is an alumni of The Culinary Institute of America, a 1982 graduate.  He overseas not only a restaurant but large food market.  He is a divorced father of two who admits his biggest weakness is that he usually thinks he knows it all.  Knowing these competitions this may be his downfall, “Pride cometh before the fall”.  I sense that this will be the guy who doesn’t play nice with others.  For him food is about love and passion.  He connotes food to love because of memories of his grandma.  I sense that Michael will not be too thrilled with some of our contestants who have little professional training and experience. Predicition:  Michael is going to help provide the drama TV producers crave.

Stay tuned here for more about The Next Food Network Star and stay tuned Sunday night at 9pm EST to watch the premier.