The Next Food Network Star Premiers
June 4, 2007 by Tracey Thompson
Filed under Recipes
Last night was the premier of the season 3 of The Next Food Network Star. There were a few surprises, a couple of “What were they thinking?” and some tears. All in all, I thought that this season actually promises to be a very talented group of people and the shows producers have really refined the competition that after last nights episode I feel that this will actually be a palate pleasing experience.
The two hour premier involved 3 challenges which laid the ground work on the talents and deficits of our contestants. Some people surprised me. So far everyone is playing nice…or at least as nice as you can in a competition that could define your entire life.
When they arrived they started them out with a potluck dinner challenge. They drew for the segment of the meal they had to prepare (appetizer, meat entree, etc…). The next challenge had them meet up with Ace of Cakes demolition man Duff and they had to decorate a wedding cake then Chef Robert Irvine from Dinner Impossible immediately entered the room after the cake challenge for the next bombshell. They now had to separate into two teams and had 6 hours to create a wedding buffet for 100 guests.
One team shined and the other did a complete crash. Amy Finley, the SAHM from California did an incredible job with her team and her group did a great job working together. Colombe Jacobson-Derstine fell flat. She was a horrible leader and I was shocked that she had a horrible concept on how to feed 100 people and took no advice from her fellow competetiors. They had a budget of $2300 and they only spent just under $800.
In the end two people had to go. And who did the Food Network judges pick to send home? Anyone from the losing team of the challenge? No…they chose two people from the winning team. They said it was due to their personality. Patrick Rolfe, who probably had prepared some of the best food was eliminated because he just didn’t “Wow” them with his personality in the 60 seconds he had and Vivien Cunha was shown the door for the same reason. I will say that her food was not as good and seemed so-so. But I was amazed at their choice of eliminating Patrick. Oh, and sorry about the picture Patrick, the Food Network site was having problems when I downloaded the photos.
I thought that Rory Shepisi should have gone due to her bottom rating so far in everything. This is the Food Network? How can you keep someone who had the worst prepared food in the competition? Colombe should have gone Bye-Bye. They kept her because she is blond and pretty. I predict both of these contestants will have a short-lived time in the competition.
My favorites so far are Amy Finley and Adrien Sharp. Who are your favorites?
To get videos, recaps, and the winning recipes of the week click here and stay tuned every Sunday, at 9pm EST for the next episode of The Next Food Network Star.
I agree; mostly. I can’t believe Rory was not eliminated (shocked is a better word). And I think that Amy and Adrien are cool as well. They seem the most real and down to earth. I think Jag will win though; what with food networking loving on strong personalities like Duff and so on. I liked Jag too. However, although I thought Rory was gone, I was glad to see the two that went go; because I agree with the judges — NO personality. Plus I thought they made weird food.
This is my favorite of the “Chef” competition shows, but I was really disappointed that they kept Colombe. She was horrible in week one, not only did she have bad judgement in planning the menu and spending the money she was rude and not a team player. She was even worse in week two, almost starting a fire and then doing the worst presentation of her mediocre dish to the judges. I was glad to see Rory redeem herself in week 2 (although I wouldn’t have picked her for the cover of Bon Apetit), and sorry to see Nikki go. I like Jag, Adrian and Michael, I think Tony can do better and hope to see it (without the cigar!).
I disagree….I like colombe and rory. i hope colombe wins, she fun, sweet, and just down right a cute little cook…lol, but overall great show!
I think Rory is really irritating and am surprised she’s made it through so many rounds. I really hope she is not chosen as one of the finalists.