Since we start the new season on Sunday night, I thought I’d take this chance to respond to some of the questions you’ve been asking me recently.
Why didn’t you pick _______ to win last year? Did the judges decide at the beginning who they wanted to win?
I’m always amused by this. First, Bobby, Susie and I rarely agree on anybody. You try getting Bobby Flay to say anything he doesn’t believe. Last year, we disagreed vehemently up until the final decision of the final episode. We each championed a different finalist. From what I could tell from the thousands of e-mails and postings, viewers seemed as equally split as we were between 
Aaron, Adam and Lisa. Everyone felt their favorite was the only reasonable choice. Ultimately, our final decision seemed the right one: Aaron’s show, Big Daddy’s House, has been one of our top weekend cooking shows since his debut last summer.
What can I look forward to this year?
You’ll see a lot more of our deliberations and our thinking process (and why I’m right and Bobby & Susie are wrong)! You’ll see top celebrity chefs – from our network and beyond. Even everyone’s favorite Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, joins us for the first time this year. We’ll head down to Miami. You’ll see tougher challenges which really push the finalists to their limits. The most common thing I hear from our guest stars after tapings is “if I had to go through what they’re going through, I’d never have a show on Food Network.”
Whatever happened to (Season 3 Winner) Amy Finley?
After 
Amy won, her series The Gourmet Next Door quickly became one of the highest rated cooking series in our weekend cooking block. When I called Amy to tell her we were renewing her series, she informed me she did not want to do any more. She had moved with her family to France, and was very happy with her new life. I did what any good programming executive would do: pleaded, begged and whined. But to no avail.
How many people audition each year? How do I?
Between the tapes sent in, and the people who audition at our live casting calls around the country, we see several thousand people each year. FoodNetwork.com/Star is the best place to check in for info about auditioning – it’ll be updated as soon as we finalize our audition cities and locations.
I love Food Network and especially Ina who can make fabulous dishes with a few ingredients and ones we have at home. I wonder if Bobby Flay in his beginning could have made it through the rigorous “shenanigans” that are required on the Next “Star”. Don’t get me wrong…he is sooooooo talented but his demeanor on the judges panel is not his best performance.
I really enjoyed TNFNS Season 4….could not understand how Aaron won because he just was not interesting, but that was my opinion and I was cheering for Lisa Garza. I think it was in poor taste to give a show to Adam. I know you all are looking for stars always, but what was the point of having a competition and putting Lisa and Kelsey though the competition if you planned on giving a show to Adam too? Don’t get me wrong I love Adams’ show but it makes it look like Adam was your planned winner and just because he did not win your giving him a show too.
i find it appalling that you would try to rehabilitate someone like teddy who lied on camera and tried to get away with it. his lack of ethics should not be tolerated. he would never get my vote to continue, you should have dumped both of them-
and the histrionics by some of these supposed chefs is not suited for any show. if they cannot control themselves , let them seek another position less stressful.
in my opinion i think they all need to go home because they do so much fighting, back stabbing going on that yall need to start the whole show over again with a new cast!!!But since it wont happen i want jeffrey to win! thank you CB
I am glad that Robert Irvine is back on Dinner Impossible. It just wasn’t the same without him. Everyone makes mistakes and I am glad he’s back!
I LOVED the Hardy Boys. I was very disappointed that their show was cancelled. I found them fun, entertaining and informative. I had great success with their recipes and good feedback. I looked forward to their show almost as much as Ina Garten’s and Paula Deen’s.
I would have loved to see you throw both Michael (who chose two unappealing food products but had a whale of a time) and Debbie. While Michael chose to have a great time while his fellow teammates were stressed to the max but did eventually go back to help but without much enthusiasm – Debbie was there all the time and did nothing to help the other two who were obviously overworked and stressed. And then she made excuses – does anyone else remember her other major lack of jusgement. It seems that it is never her fault and that someone is always picking on her. She may make wonderful food but we can not taste or smell anything but a serious lack of judgement on her part – her motto -one for me and all for me. I also do not understand why you think Jamika is so wonderful. Jamika is too full of herself. Too many gaffs – will you be bleeping out her language and offhand remarks if she wins? I just watched the sneak preview for next week – was pissed off just local color? Anyone who could not make something decent out of sausage, beer and potatoes doesn’t deserve a show of her own – she deserves jail time. She has not impressed me at all. Who has – Melissa! I love her spunk, some of her food (from what I can see on TV) and not everyone is as open as Rachel Ray, Ina Garten or Paula Deen. With experience will come the openness that you all seem to want. Seems to me that she is opening up more and more.
I really enjoy Guy and Rachel, Paula and Ina but there are a couple that I really don’t care for – Sandra Lee – is she really that prissy? Really – do we need a thousand dishes and decorations to eat a good meal? Do our kitchens need to match our outfit? Perhaps she should be on HGTV – have her own decorating show, instead of cooking. I find her recipes lacking wholesomeness – too many package mixes which are salt and calorie laden. Do we want or need placecards? And what are we teaching children about drinking – they have their own versions of cocktails? Too many of the programs seem to be adding liqour to the menus – most people can’t afford much more than beer in this economy – if that. We can’t afford the houses and wonderful kitchens either. But that said – the one thing that I do not like about the Neeley’s – too much kissy face – too much sexual innuendo. Not needed,not necessary – the man loves his wife – good – we got it. Now get over it! Perhaps we would like to see more refined sugar than all that brown sugar dished out on a continual basis. And who is funny – Alton Brown.
i have to change the channel when big daddy show comes on, i like everyone else . i watch either food network, or hgtv all day long. i could not believe when aaron won. i do not see anything good about him his manners are so bad.i hope melissa wins this year.
Definitely prefer Jeffrey.. not another ‘housewife’ to give us tips, pleassse!
My fav show is Barefoot Contessa, love her and love her Hamptons set.
Also love the set for Giada’s kitchen. I am a huge food network fan, and
we (my family) and I all have our favorites. Thank you for having so many great shows.
I happen to agree with Darlin Krause and the comments she’s made completely! Although, I would love to see jeffrey as the next star!
Bring Big Daddy's House BACK!!! He was good and his recipes made sense unlike some of the others.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the Pioneer Woman!!! Great show…one of the best in the longest.