I’ve been following Guy since he first made his appearance on The Next Food Network Star several years ago. I was rooting for him then, and I’m still rooting for him now.

I can’t wait to check out Guy’s latest Food Network show, The Guy Fieri Roadshow. The new show will combine food with rock and roll. Two of my favorite things.

Guy modeled this two hour food-a-palooza after a high energy rock concert, including traveling from city to city on two tour buses with his culinary krew. At each stop Guy will feature a locally famous chef and Guy complete with interactive cooking stations, demos, behind the scenes stories from the road and more.

The scoop from Guy:

“We’ve been test-driving this concept on a smaller scale and the adrenaline of the crowd is through the roof. Putting on a show for my fans that marries food and rock n’ roll with blow-your-mind entertainment is a dream come true.”

The Guy Fieri Roadshow begins its tour Tuesday, November 17th in Lowell, MA at Lowell Memorial Auditorium and the tour will end Thursday, December 17th at The House of Blues in Las Vegas, NV. For a complete list of cities, log on to www.guyfieri.com.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Blisstree

Guy Fieri Rocks the Food Network

Jeffrey ended up being first runner-up, losing to Mellisa d’Arabian.  Bob Tuschman, a Food Network big-wig and one of the judges on The Next Food Network Star, announced via his blog that the network has developed some web-only versions of Jeffrey’s show, the Spice Smuggler. Big Jeffrey-fan cheer here, “Yay!!”

The webisodes, currently numbering 5, feature Jeffrey making the most of his spice knowledge with dishes like Smoked Paprika Lasagna, Garam Masala Chicken Pot Pie, 5 Spice Stir-Fry Chicken Soup, Tiliapia Tacos with Anise Seed.

I watched the Tilapia Taco episode and right off the bat I learned two things from Jeffrey; Anise Seed can be used anywhere that you would also use a lemon flavor and if you want to see if pan-fried fish is done, slip a spatula half-way under the fish and lift slightly to  see if it flakes apart. If it does, it’s done. If it’s not, give it a few more minutes and try again.

You can watch the episode, along with the other Spice Smuggler webisodes here.

Image credit: Amazon.com

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Spice Smuggler Gets A Second Chance

Season 5 doesn’t actually start until June 7th but promos are now out. It’s quite funny actually. Here comes chef Bobby Flay looking all dapper in his suit, as he walks down the hallway, wannabe Food Network Stars try to win Bobby’s Flay’s vote with their smiles and placards.

Then as Bobby enters the elevator, with the other 2 judges waiting inside, he says “We’ll be the judge of that”. Ooohhh, how clever .

If you think you are The Next Food Network Star, find out how you could submit your videos and show everyone what you could do, or say shall we say, what you could cook through Food TV.

Post from: Blisstree

The Next Food Network Star Promo

He’ll be hosting “Will Work For Food” which premieres January 19th at 8:30pm EST on Food Network. He’ll be traveling around to “learn every job in the world of food,” and from the promo I just saw it looks like he’ll be scooping ice cream, stuffing sausage, and gathering honey. Thrilling, no?

I can’t say I’m excited about this one; he was the contestant I cared about least of the remaining three and annoyed me the most (like he was trying to hard to be Guy Fieri and failing miserably). What do you think?

Post from: Blisstree

Adam Gertler Gets a Food Network Gig Anyway

He highlighted dishes that were inspired by his two boy’s, Justin and Josh.  I felt the show to be appealing and the recipes he chose to be accessible and worth trying out.  I enjoy Aaron’s personality and I will be back to watch the next episode.  There were a few cheesy things, like they kept creating snapshots of food even incorporating the lame camera sound affect…a sound most cameras don’t make any more.  That is not Aaron’s fault.

The highlight of the show was definitely the air time his three year-old son shared…or rather, he stole the show.  He was cute and is already becoming quite the chef and enjoying the time in the kitchen with his daddy.

Below is a pork loin recipe from the episode I intend to try this week.  The directions explain how to toast the sandwich in a skillet, but on the show he used a panini press.  Big Daddy’s House airs Sundays at 1:30 pm EST.

Rip Roarin’ Roast Pork Sandwich with Broccoli Rabe and Provolone

Prep Time:  10 Minutes

Cook Time:  1 Hour 20 Minutes

Yield:  4-6 Servings

Ingredients:

2 pounds boneless pork loin
1/2 cup Big Daddy Rub, recipe follows
1 1/2 pounds fresh broccoli rabe, cleaned and roughly chopped
4 to 6 ciabatta rolls
1 pound provolone cheese, sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh garlic, or jarred
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Rub pork loin with Big Daddy Rub and allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Place pork in a roasting pan fitted with a rack and roast in oven for approximately 1 hour until internal temperature registers 155 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from oven and allow pork to rest for 5 minutes. Slice pork very thin.In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook broccoli rabe for 3 minutes. Strain from water and shock in a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain from ice water onto paper towels.Assemble sandwiches on ciabatta rolls layering sliced pork, blanched broccoli rabe and provolone cheese. Season with salt and pepper.In a large skillet over medium heat, add oil, garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant. Gently place sandwiches in pan and allow to toast for 3 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Remove from pan and serve.Serving suggestions: Make a butter with garlic and red pepper, spread on bread and press in a panini press. Make a roasted garlic aioli to spread on bread while assembling sandwiches. Add Pickled Shallots to the sandwich.

Big Daddy Rub:
3 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup smoked paprika
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons hot chili powder
2 tablespoons cayenne
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons red pepper flakes

In a medium sized bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined. Yield: 4 cups

Post from: Blisstree

Big Daddy’s Kitchen Premiers

Here is the Food Network’s description of Aaron’s new show:

Watch out – Big Daddy is in the house and ready to cook! The Next Food Network Star’s season four winner, Aaron McCargo, Jr., shares his passion for big, bold flavors and fun, family cooking on his new daytime series, Big Daddy’s House. Aaron brings a down-to-earth vibe and warm smile to the kitchen while whipping up mouth-watering recipes inspired by many years of culinary experience and his fun-loving family. Expect big food and big fun on Big Daddy’s House.

Aaron has come along way from his time cooking cakes in his sister’s Easy Bake Oven, but here he is.  I really liked Aaron and I look forward to not only seeing what he has cooking, but what the Food Network has in store for the new show.

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Big Daddy’s House Begins Sunday August 3

image:  www.freeimages.co.uk 

It has been 8 weeks and we now have a winner.  The new “star” of the Food Network is…Aaron McCargo, Jr.

Each of the contestants did a 4 minute pilot, produced by Gordon Elliot.  They all did a great job.  As wonderful as Lisa is, I saw her downfall the minute she brought in 3 pitch ideas to Gordon.  As she said that she felt the need to get out some props, I began screaming at the TV, “NO!  NO!  Don’t you remember your demise from episode 1???”  It was too much and her one pitch, Beautiful and Basic was a great idea, but I think that Sunny on the FN Dish video nailed it…Lisa is not basic.  As an audience, you think Lisa to be anything but basic, so you don’t buy that the food is basic.  The “I was making zabaione at 13 years old”..Sunny nailed this one too….why on earth were you making zabaione at 13?  Lisa just never lost her rigidity.  She is a beautiful person and an incredible cook…but not the Next Food Network Star.

Adam had a great concept and did a great job on his pilot.  I loved the idea of using the web cam in the kitchen and interacting with a viewer.  He did an excellent job, and Adam should utilize this opportunity to create his own podcast or web show.

Now, I knew that Aaron was going to win…due to the Food Network spoiler, but it was fun watching him do so well.  He seems like such a genuine person and just about every episode there was something that I wanted to cook of his.  Aaron’s pilot was no exception.

Aaron’s new show, Big Daddy’s Kitchen…or maybe that is House…anyway…it is going to start to air next week.  He has already been in production.  This is at least part of the reason for the judge’s panel making the final decision…which I think by a marketing stand-point is a great decision.  One of the worst things about the past seasons is that as a fan you end up having to wait a few months before you can see the new star in action. 

Bobby Flay said that the show will air next week, I have yet to see it on the network’s schedule.  I have seen some places say that it will air on August 3rd, but I will keep checking and I look forward to watching.

How do you feel about the ending..happy, surprised, annoyed, thrilled…pick an adjective…?

Post from: Blisstree

And The 2008 Next Food Network Star Is…

It appears that this past week for about an hour, the Food Network site had accidentally shown the winner along with promos of the upcoming show.  When I initially read about this, I thought that this must have just been Internet rumors.  In the past, the Food Network fans cast the vote in regards to the winner, so I thought this could not have happened.  Well, it appears that the Food Network execs do not want to leave it in our hands and a winner will be declared by the judging panel tonight.

There has been no mention of the reasons why they have changed this aspect of the competition.  Do I sense a little lack of trust?  Hmm..well, you can still vote for the fan favorite.  I assume that next week will be a reunion show and the fan favorite will be announced.

So, we wait.  I happen to know what the outcome will be this evening, though I have no idea the “how’s”.  If you don’t mind the outcome being spoiled for you and you want to read about the on-line screw-up…click here.  If you don’t want to read this story now, it makes for an interesting tidbit of information once the winner is “officially” announced.

Post from: Blisstree

Awaiting the Winner of The Next Food Network Star

Currently they do not seem to be requesting videos yet, just an email with your name, contact information and a blurb on why you think that you should considered for the Season 5 Next Food Network Star competition.

The information is located on the NFNS website and their email is NFNS5@foodnetwork.com.

Post from: Blisstree

The Next Food Network Star Casting Call for Season 5

 image:  www.freeimages.co.uk

This week’s episode of the Next Food Network Star was meant to widdle our contestants down to two, but with disagreements among the judges and a draw among our final three the judges decided to cop-out and let America decide.

The first task was the promo challenge.  Each were given a different Vegas themed promo spot.  Aaron knocked it out of the park, Adam did well sandwiched in between two beautiful showgirls and Lisa bombed being subjected to terrifying memories of school days gone wrong.  Lisa had to remember and deliver lines while shooting up a cable next to a wine tower.  She by far had the most difficult challenge, but I think she psyched herself out and would have probably bombed no matter what the promo scenario. 

When it came down to the buffet poor Aaron bombed, Lisa was able to save herself from disaster and Adam smoked his way to victory.  They had to make a buffet for an array of Vegas performers and Wynn chefs.  They not only had to serve up some tasty dishes they had 3 minutes to entertain and explain their buffet.  Adam surprisingly kept it low-key, which the judges gave him a hard time about.  He hasn’t discovered that happy medium.  Lisa knocked it out of the park with a belty jingle.  Frankly, I am not surprised she had a voice.  She was a beauty queen.  It was either a voice, a piano concerto or a baton exhibition.  Now, I had to begin fast forwarding through Aaron’s tragic presentation.  The look on every one’s face in the room.  The uncomfortable silence.  The smell of stinking up the room….poor Aaron.

In the end, the judges had a hard time making a decision.  Aaron had one bad week, Lisa was right down the middle and Adam did great…this once.  Bob Tuschman was honestly saddened with how Aaron choked.  I thought he was going to start crying.  In his blog he wrote about Bobby Flay’s reaction when he was given the news that Adam’s food was the hit:

Bobby goes back to his hotel room before the audience rating cards were tallied. When we send him a text message to tell him that Adam’s dishes were both the crowd’s and Wynn chef’s favorites, Bobby’s reply is instantaneous: “Don’t even go there.” Let’s just say Bobby has not been Adam’s biggest fan.

I know Flay’s issue, Adam did great smoking and doing what he knows, but the minute you take him out of his comfort zone he fails.  I agree with Bobby that the Food Network expects a lot from their on-line talent and one of these expectations is being able to adapt and cook out of your comfort zone.  Adam has failed to do this every time.

So, with no one being able to decide on who should go, they are bringing all three to NYC for the fans to decide.  We are now down to the popularity contest.  Who do you want to win, and who do you think will win?  I am torn between Lisa and Aaron.  I am really anxious to see how they do on this final challenge.

Post from: Blisstree

The Next Food Network Star’s Final Challenge Next Week