Amy Finley is the Next Food Network Star
July 23, 2007 by Tracey Thompson
Filed under Food & Nutrition
My girl, Amy Finley won Sunday night. She has become The Next Food Network Star. The French trained mother of two won this great opportunity despite meltdowns, initial camera shyness and the use of French jargon. Amy really grew during the competition and I think that is what I appreciated most. I loved that she was even eliminated just before the final two and then was brought back when Jag resigned and still won. Which makes me wonder if our judges/Food Network executives really understand what America is hungry for.
The final show was not very exciting. They be-lingered the show with recaps and reunions. I think the only interesting part of that was there complete disregard for how Jag left and the relationship of our “Odd Couple” Jag and Paul. They have really seemed to form a bond and well…..now that would make an interesting culinary show.
The network also showed us the lives of both our finalists at home. Amy’s was home, family, the beach and food. Rory’s was interesting. She lives in a very small town of under 1000 people in Texas with her cowboy boyfriend. The New Jersey native met her man in some other CMT reality show (where she came in second yet again). They met, fell in love and she up-rooted to Texas. Rory also just recently opened a restaurant which looks nice and I am sure that her new found fame will help that enterprise flourish.
The final episode ended like it began with Emeril Lagasse announcing the winner. I did feel a little bad for Rory. She was very emotional before the announcement, but there can only be one winner.
Amy has been my a favorite from the beginning. I have liked her because of her food, personality, but I have to admit that the mom in me was rooting for the dreams of our Stay-at-home mom to come true. Amy Finley will be all over the air waves these next few months and her new show will start sometime in the Fall. So stay tuned.
I have to say that I am happy that Amy won. She seems to fit better with food network watchers. I would never do the sloppy cooking that Rory does. I can certainly identify more with Amy than Rory. I think that Food Network would have wound up with big HR issues if Jag had stuch around and won. He was a lose cannon with anger management issues. Certainly not someone you’d want to have on staff!
So, my big question (and I’d appreciate any answers or insight!), is what happened to Amy’s husband?? She has mentioned him in the past, and even lists him as one of the 3 people dead or alive that she’d like to invite to a dinner party. Last night he wasn’t at the show, they didn’t show him on her “cooking at home” segment, and she didn’t have a ring on. I’ve looked everywhere for info, but can’t find anything. My guesses are that:
1. He passed away at some point (hense, listing him as a dead or alive person she’d like to dine with). That also supports the fact that she lives on her parents property with her children.
2. They have divorced or separated (perhaps part of the trouble at home and a reason why she wanted to leave the show?)
3. Because of his job or whatever reason, he cannot be seen on television or publicly picture (maybe he works for the government?)
What are your thoughts???
I think it stinks that Amy won. She was already voted off the show. Rory has much more energy and would be much more interesting to watch. I am very upset with the way Food Network handled this. They should have at least been given another challenge or something to let Amy earn her way back into the competition. I suppose voted off doesn’t really mean voted off in this competition.
I stopped watching because none of the people seemed like star material. I felt like they were escapees from a psych unit. How did the Food network find so many odd people? This seems like the best of the worst won. Why not have a face off like Dancing with the Stars several years ago? I can’t imagine Amy will find much audience , she doesn’t appear to be very secure.
In response to Amy’s husband-less video of homelife and no-show at the finale, I had the same thoughts. I certainly hope nothing happened. Also, even though I preferred Rory, as a single parent, if anything did happen, I’m glad Amy got the gig then.
Amy is not a single parent. I know her family and she decided to do the show over her husband, he is speechless that his wife is so shallow.
Their family was very tight up untill this point. Why would a person who’s children are not allowed to watch tv want there own tv show? They don’t even have one in their home.
Her husbands name is Gregg and he deserves a good women who will stay true to him.
obviously I don’t know the family, but the comment about amy being “shallow” seems totally uncalled for. instead of asking “how could amy choose the show over her husband?”, a better question might be, “what kind of husband would force her to choose?” if I were offered such an incredible opportunity, I have no doubt my husband would be supportive… the very definition of “staying true” to someone.
also, I’m so glad amy won, and I’m looking forward to her show.
allie - I agree with you. What kind of husband is he to not support his wife’s goals and dreams??
It appears that Jenn would like to be that good woman that Greggggg so deserves…
Amy was on The View today - wearing her wedding ring, but no mention of her husband good or bad. What is the deal?? I wonder if she is aware of all of the speculation going around.
I want to talk about something no one else has touched on. Why did the Jag get no public scutiny for his lying about where he served and going to school. In the finale they were all talking so highly of Jag and that he was going to go so far, but no one called him out on being dishonest. What is the deal with that? It’s just showing people that lying is okay and acceptable. Granted he didn’t win, to some that would be punishment enough, but I wanted to see some hard hitting straight forward questions about why he lied and how that is NOT a good trait to have in life.
I don’t have a terribly strong preference here but I suppose that Amy’s win was probably, like the outcome of many another democratic election, an injustice. For whatever it might be worth, I’ve commented on it here.
yeah, I have to disagree with your comparison of rory and amy’s culinary abilities. they both went to cooking school, so presumably they’re both educated enough about food. however, when it came to actually demonstrating those culinary abilities, I think rory fell short. I mean, she made cheesesteaks, ribs, steak… my boyfriend can do that, and he can’t cook anything. I don’t need to watch a food network show to learn how to put butter on a steak. you can call it elitism or being snobby… I call it “actually wanting to learn something”. oh, and wanting to cook something that won’t immediately give me cardiac arrest.
What is up with the “highly qualified selection committee”!????? They had literally let Amy go…she ends up being America’s choice!!! Makes me wonder what qualifications they actually have and if they really have their pulse on what America wants to see on the Food Network. Jag actually showed them for fools and embarrassed them…that was crystal clear to me anyway. So what is the real deal on Amy? Does she have a real husband? Does he work? Does he live on her parents property with her and her kids? What is the scoop?? I can’t find any information anywhere.
Check this comment out from Ruhlman’s blog!!!
Anonymous said…
AMY FINLEY KNEW THAT SHE WAS GOING TO WIN THE NFNS BEFORE THE VOTING WAS COMPLETE! FOOD NETWORK RIGGED THE COMPETITION IN LIGHT OF JAG’s RESIGNATION!
The text messege votes were also rigged! Amy’s went through when Rory’s were denied!!!
Check out this link!!!
http://www.fox6.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoID=337422
Amy is a fraud if she really know the whole time!!! Go Adrien!!!
If there was such a comment on Ruhlman’s blog, it has been deleted.
However, Anthony Bourdain’s satirical guest post about the Food Network Star finale is worth reading:
http://blog.ruhlman.com/ruhlmancom/2007/07/top-secret.html
I personally am glad Amy won. The fact that she struggled and was not afraid to hide it showed some depth.
Rory, you may know how to cook, but it came across as though you were more into promoting yourself as a sexy woman than a cook. I don’t think showing cleavage all the time - or at all - is ladylike. That goes ditto for the other female competitors.
Finally, whatever is going on between Amy and her husband is no one’s business. This sort of gossip and speculation is why I would NOT want to be famous. I like to swim, but fish bowls do not appeal to me.
Joselyn, The finale was pre-recorded. It wasn’t live. Of course, everyone who was there knew who won before the show aired. She didn’t know until the final show was taped. There is nothing in this Fox6 video to definitely reveal the outcome. I believe she was just speaking in future tense as a speculator, so as not to reveal publicly the results.
I DID’NT even bother to watch the last episode after JAG was booted off. WHY? well becuase if anything I feel Jag should have won. To think he got this Far with out ever graduating culinary school and still came out on top. Another thing that pissed me off was how AMY already knew she won. When emril announced who the winner was, he right away turned to AMY before he annonced it. Then at the end it was Amy who had all her family there and Rory was stuck hugging the other contestants. Anther thing that really pissed me off, was How JAG said that the Food Network doesnt represent latin chefs or the foods. So what does the food network do? they kicked him off (even though they said he resigned-Bull)and took his advice and hired some new Hot Latin chick to host a new LAtin culinary show. Im starting to hate the food network each and every day.
I lost all respect for Amy when she quit a few weeks earlier. She’s a quitter and her days at Food Network are numbered.
Amy won. Love it! She was clearly the best from the start (Remember the wedding cakes?). She was the best in the end too (Remember her off-the-cuff commentary about the cooking challenge in which she cleverly explained panko vs. bread crumbs?). And the View? She held her own, in a way that no one (well maybe but for JAG) could have done. Definitely not Rory! And for all you Amy haters, and in turn, FN haters, you know each and every one of you will continue to watch FN and Amy’s show religiously. Why? Because you hate your lives (it’s true, don’t deny it) and find it sort of comforting to watch others on TV achieve their dreams.
The turmoil with her husband was, perhaps, the reason she almost quit the competition? At the moment when she decided to stay on, did she choose the show over her husband? Food for thought. Wow!
Amy’s was clearly the best from the beginning. No one can possibly know anything about the contestants’ personal lives other than what the editors want you to know so it’s a waste of energy to judge them on anything other than their cooking and tv personality.
I too am glad Amy won. Rory did indeed seem more interested in promoting herself, her restaurant and her cleavage. By the looks of her after the winner was announced, Rory clearly thought she was gonna win. Was Rory a good sport? Not really. It was Amy who turned to Rory and hugged her (it should have been the other way around). Then Rory turned her back to the camera and was (by the looks of guys hugging her and “consoling her”) crying. I think Rory was a very poor sport, and I would expect more of someone who came so far. I never disliked Rory, I always felt Amy was far better. I feel the need for more chefs on the FN to be real, and teach us. I am tired of the chef turned entertainers. I dont want or need anymore “bams”. I yearn for the old Food Network. Perhaps Amy will be the start. Congratulations Amy.
Okay, it’s time to settle this tired debate. Amy beat Rory because she was not only the better chef, but also the better orator. Period. Simply put, Amy can talk while chopping and chop while talking. That gets you your own show on the FN. And when you’re sincere, interesting, quick-witted, educated, well-traveled, that makes you even more attractive to the FN executives as well as to the viewers. Rory was none of these things. Not quick-witted, not informative, and above all (and listen closely everyone) not an orator. She fumbled her words like she fumbled many of her culinary creations. She was easily flustered and couldn’t hang when it came time to thinking on your feet. And that’s what sealed her fate. Good work, Amy!!!
I loved it that Amy won the competition. She was clearly the best chef.
Also, I think her show is fantastic. She is wonderful at communicating while she cooks–that is not an easy thing to do. Three cheers for Amy
I think Amy should really consider getting a makeover now that she is on t.v !!!!
just like veda, I, too, think that Amy needs a makeover. Bless her little ole heart…she looks like a tint waif just out of junior hi!
Yes, sadly I agree…those Food Network execs know the power of “the look”…I think that it isn’t a concern…they are only obligated to give her 6 epsiodes.
What is it with all you people? Should I remind everyone the show isn’t about personal problems, cleavage, or even appearance. It’s about keeping your composure while performing in front of the camera. If you can do this, all the rest can be fixed. It’s about the food and what you can do with it…taste, appearance, and simplicity. I love the food network and all it’s diversity. Hats off to the execs.
I agree with W. Allen Montgomery
Mar 16, 2008 at 10:46 am –Amy is classy, she can cook, and she can communicate while cooking-not an easy job. Give the girl a chance.
her husband is mentioned here
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20071010-9999-lz1c10taste.html
Where is Amy? She’s not on the Food Network any more? Bring her back and get rid of The Neeleys, Sandra Lee, Jamie, Nargella,Ingrid and a few others. So Amy talked bout Paris.Rachael talks about her Mother and we all love Rachael. I’d rather watch her than those mentioned above plus Aldon Brown and Paula Deen.
Where is Amy? She’s not on the Food Network any more? Bring her back and get rid of The Neeleys, Sandra Lee, Jamie, Nargella,Ingrid and a few others. So Amy talked bout Paris.Rachael talks about her Mother and we all love Rachael. I’d rather watch her than those mentioned above plus Aldon Brown and Paula Deen.Good I will say it again and again
I’m a recipe junky, and would welcome your help in identifying more recipe contests. Any and all categories are welcomed. Many thanks and Bon Appetito!