Debbie
I’ve never met a more polarizing finalist, or, a more confusing one. She had so much going both for and against her. Some viewers were up in arms about her from episode 1. And yes, sometimes the truth seemed to shift underneath her feet like quicksand. Who can guess why she chose to slide into spin-mode on so many occasions? It was so counterproductive, unnecessary and, ultimately, a factor in the viewers and judges never totally trusting her.
On the other hand, she had innate TV skills, a unique culinary point-of-view and the cooking chops to pull it off. When Debbie auditioned in our kitchens for the very first time, I remember thinking that she could really have a shot at this: a natural on camera who could really cook.
So I was as puzzled as anybody by all of her misstatements and missteps. But, interestingly, every guest chef who met Debbie was as impressed by her as we were initially. The dream team of celeb chefs this week was all mesmerized by her natural communication gifts – even if her food fell short this week in almost everyone’s eyes (or mouths).
She admitted this week that she had “lapses in judgment” and learned from them. I’d like to think that’s true. She’ll have plenty of time to reflect on them now.
The Final Two
I couldn’t be happier with our final two. Jeffrey and Melissa have both earned their spots at the very top. They’ve displayed integrity, talent, skill and heart. What I love most is how evenly matched they are. In fact, I’d use the exact same words to describe them both: Smart. Talented. Warm. Generous. Expert. Creative. Likeable.
What I’m going to be looking for:
Melissa: Can she maintain the calm, breezy air and expert authority she’s finally found? No doubt she’s bright, charismatic and warm. And she’s a fountain of recipes, tips, techniques, and practical info. But she’s doubted herself along the way, and came across early on as a “harried housewife”. Has Julia Child finally inspired her to be totally fearless? She seemed to truly believe, at last, that she belonged in a room with some of the nation’s top celeb chefs. Can she consistently radiate star confidence and command?
Jeffrey: Can he maintain the energy and passion that excited the table of star chefs in Miami? He has sometimes covered over his low key delivery with false energy. But in Miami he seemed to find just the right balance of sweet and heat, just like his cooking style. His food has been mostly outstanding, but when he failed, he failed big. (Will I ever forget Marcus Samuelsson’s rip that his risotto was “an insult to Italy?”). Missteps aside, I think the guy’s a talented cook, a great communicator, and is devoted to food. Can he exude the star quality I’m looking for?
I am very excited about the final challenge. This will determine once and for all who will join the likes of Paula, Giada, Ina, Rachael and Bobby on our air. Who are you rooting for?
Melissa is too much like Rachael Ray. And, we all know that there can be only one Rachael!
Ron-Jen was the first contestant to get knocked off the show, we only saw her for 5 minutes.
Based on all the comments here there appears to a “hunger” for home cooking so Melissa will do well. She reminds me a lot of Sara Moulton who I could watch a time or two but that’s about it. I don’t watch much FN anymore precisely because of this however. Why not provide something with an edge, for those of us who know how to cook chicken but want to be entertained? Had enough of Paula Dean, Sandra Lee, Giada, and Rachel to boot. Time for something different.
you made a BIG mistake Jeffery should have got the show. I will not be watching anything with Melissa staring in it.
Melissa and Jeffery were both completely captivating and kept me hoping they both could win! I think they would have made a great culinary team and Food Network may have captured an even bigger audience had they announced co-winners. With that in mind, perhaps Jeffery could be a reacurring guest on Melissa’s show? Together, we may have had the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers’ dynamics and charisma. I, for one, will enjoy watching Melissa cook it up every week and can’t wait for her debut show. I hope the show’s concept of dinner for $10 can compliment Melissa’s get up and go style and not hinder it; it seems like a pretty dry concept for such an energenic and creative cook. You may be unintentionally pulling in the reigns on your wild stallion and causing her to crash. Let’s hope not. . .how about you just go with the initial concept of Cooking for Survival? We moms can really relate to that much better. REMEMBER THE SAYING, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR? A $10 meal just sounds yucky and could put Melissa in the can. Don’t let that happen.
I figured Melissa would win this and I wish her well. But, personally I would like to see Jeffrey get a show also, he was my favorite.
I have been watching Jeffery since the second show, I am sad he did not win. I will not watch Mel., sorry to say but I will not, to hyper for me and how many (I am the woman and mom cooks) do we need. Jeffery’s calm and knowledge comes through and I would tune in to watch him cook. He has the ability to make you want to cook what he is showing you. Hopefully FN will keep him in mind for his own show
I am so glad she won. Her cooking is something anyone can do. Like Paula, Rachael Ray and smany others. She has the foodnet work personality. Thank you for choosing her. I will make sure I watch her.
Jeffery seemed like a nice guy. However, he appeared arrogant. He even told Melissa he was surprised she was still there. Melissa is refreshing. She just fits.
We are so thrilled that Melissa won tonight! Jeffrey came across as a little too confident towards the end. His food seemed like it would be okay, but really, where am I going to find 1/2 of those spices since I do not live in a big city? I totally understand where Bob was coming from with his comments…in today’s time more families are on a tight budget and are in need of more meals that are simple, yet inexpensive to make. And to whomever that commented earlier on FN making a financial move with Melissa, well, yeah! That’s the whole point…to let someone win who will bring in more of an audience!
And to all those who have said unkind things about Melissa and her mother…shame on you! I’ll definitely pray for your heart and soul!! Looking forward to watching Melissa next weekend…we wish you well, girl!
I’m very disaapointed Melissa was chosen as the next Food Network star. To me she came across as a snob!!! I will not watch her show.
Jeffery should have won, they said his final performance was flawless, & then they picked Melissa? She’s to much of a spazz. We’re tired of the “little engine that could” attitude that Melissa has. Won’t be watching Melissa’s show. Not an interesting kinda show. Would much rather watch Jeffery, with his ideas on the spices from around the world, who cares about cooking chicken in four steps!
another disappointing pick for me, that’s 3 years in a row! i hope that you offer Jeffrey (the one who should have won) a show like you did to Adam (the one who should have won last year) because i don’t understand what you are basing your pics on!!
I am so happy that Melissa won! I look forward to making some of her recipes! Don’t get me wrong, Jeff was also very good, but all of his fancy herbs and pastes left me wanting a good home cooked meal. For the people with those awful comments, that was in very poor and sick taste. Go Melissa!!!!! Yea!
I’m SO HAPPY Melissa won!!! I can’t wait to watch her show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you post all her recipes from the shows because I can’t WAIT to try most of them. Bring on the potato tart!!!!!!!
Cathy
Congrats to Melissa; I think she’ll be great.
I cannot believe they are giving us another girl next door, with basic cooking skills! BORING! Jeffrey could have given the viewers what we are looking for, something different and new, fresh and maybe a little edgy? No vision,won’t step outside of the mold!
Food Network Stars if fake and nothing but a reality show. It is not a contest. I’m done with the Food Network and I’m on to other things.
this year Food Network showed me they have no integrity.
I am so happy! Melissa just speaks to us moms, the working mom, the stay at home mom. And I have been in both places. I liked the other guy Jeffery, but when came out with that ingredient….can’t remember what it was. I thought, where am I going to get that? But I never heard of that before. That is not to say I don’t enjoy using new ingredients. I do! And I don’t mean to say Jeffery was as bad as Amy Finley. He’s not! I was more comfortable with him, he didn’t talk down to us like she did. She just always had to remind us that she was a trained chef. We don’t need that. We will never be trained chefs, most of us. We need good food ideas that make us look like a home chef to our families. Give me Paula Deen or Rachel Ray any day. I have been watching the foodnetwork for about five years and I love it. I am unimployed right now, and my kids keep saying don’t go back to work Mom, just stay home and cook for us. My husband says when we do go out to eat that he is disappointed with the food. That I could have made it better at home. That makes me feel proud and it is all because of you (The Foodnetwork) and what you do everyday! Thank you! Sincerely, Pam H.
Disappointed in decision. Jeffrey won a lot of those contests because he is good. We dont need another mom on tv with food tips. No one ever really speaks about spices and what recipes to use them for on television….that would of been a great show. Not tuning into Melissa I find her too vanilla and boring….you already have 30 minute meals…now we have 4 step meals….spice it up please! Viewers want new and exciting not old and boring!
I love both Melissa and Jeffrey. I would have been happy if either one of them won. Importantly, Jeffrey mentioned that he is Lebanese and his wife is Iranian. Duhhh! Theres a thought: a middle eastern take on his dishes would be just delicious and fun for viewers to learn. The middle east has so many countries and cultures that differ in recipes and spices. Middle eastern cuisine with a simple american twist would be a great show. I really hope Jeffrey gets his own show. Barefoot contessa is my all-time favorite show. I adore her…
My husband and I both hoped Melissa would win from the beginning. I agree with a previous poster re: exotic spices being difficult to find, and afford, nowadays. I live in a town near Keller, but didn't know Mel was from there until last night. I so desperately hope she will be the one many of us have been waiting for. someone to do REAL frugal cooking. Not like Ina's basics with mussels that are only affordable in her part of the country, or beef tenderloin, etc. CMON, show us more of what we saw at the finale. CHICKEN in an affordable way. Please ask her to do more than survival tips on time, but also survival in this economy. many of us who are on limited budgets want to feel like we're making nice meals, we just need help! Cheap food that doesn't look or taste cheap would be a great idea for a show.
Boy did you guys get this ALL WRONG. Melissa did nothing truly original in her final presentation–I’ve been cooking that way for 15 years! Under Melissa’s “perky” personality is a killer instinct. If I were Bob, I’d watch my back–she’s after all your jobs!!
Congrats to Melissa!!! Comment for Bob – I would watch either one Melissa or Jeffrey. Give Jeffrey a show………..you done it before with a runner up. Adam has a show and I started watching him once and turn him off after 5 minutes…….he sucks in my opinion. ALSO GIVE JEFFREY A SHOT. Who knows you just might have 2 star shows………..
Big Food Network fan for years, but I don’t care for Melissa and so disapointed that Jeffrey lost. Melissa is to frantic, won’t be watching her show.
I am so happy about Melissa triumph on last night. I can’t wait for her show to air. I will be recording it to play over and over as I do it with her in my kitchen. I must be honest I liked Jeffrey and he was a tough competitor but Melissa had all the goods. Jeffrey pilot was intresting using an ingredient and allowing us to try it to but the problem was the ingredient he used I would not know where to buy it. It would have been more appealing if he was sending you to the web where you could smuggle the ingredient yourself by putting in your zip code and finding where you could buy it. In the end, it would have been too much for me to smuggle the ingredient and then cook. Too much work. I like the simplicity of Melissa’s recipes and her easy, budget wise style is a great appeal to me. I am a big fan of Rachel Ray for the same reasons.
Congrats Melissa!!!
As a woman who raised five kids while working full time, I can fully appreciate a show that will allow a person to cook a meal that is quick, easy, cost efficient and tasty, all rolled into one. Although all my kids are grown, they all seem to return to the nest (along with several of their friends) for that “free” home cooked meal. I am a big fan of FN and have my favorite shows, but half the ingrediants used are just not in my pantry. I think Melissa will bring alot to the FN line up with her style of cooking, she’s a real mom, with real kids and a real job…just like millions of other women…a person I know I can relate to.
And linda in nm, I believe that “someone else” taking care of her four beautiful daughters was….suprise….their very capable father. Shame on you and your ugly nasty comments.
Good luck Melissa, I for one will be tuning in next Sunday.
Yay Melissa I am also a full time nurse and mom of 2 preschoolers. Melissa inspires me to cook healthy meals while on a budget that appeal to my boys. The raw veggie tip worked great. Last week I pulled out my madolin and sliced raw green peppers on it, my 4 yr old couldnt wait to try them. Oh Melissa, homemade salsa verde is a great way to use mild chilis in a dip for the kiddos; I make a big batch in the blender and then spice half of it up for the adults. Looking forward to Kitchen Survival tips.
I was so happy to see Melissa win! My friends an I are all in college now and loved to watch the show every week. We’re all cooking on a budget, with limited ingredients and with limited culinary skills so Melissa had a lot of great tips for us that just seemed to pour out of her, We’ll be making her 4 step chicken for sure! On top of all that she’s just such an intriguing and sincere sounding person. The whole time on the show she was never malicious and was rather so gracious and even kind to those her weren’t to her. I think she’s a great role model and wonderful example of someone who’s made something of herself by her own merits. Good luck in the future Melissa, we’ll all definitely be watching your show!
Did anyone notice that Melissa said many nice things about Jeffrey, but he didn’t say anything nice about her? I also didn’t like that he stood up when giving his final speech last night…something about that really bothered me. In the end, I’m glad Melissa won. I will watch her for sure!
You really missed the boat on this one. Jeffrey had it hands down over Melissa. Almost every episode she was in some type of conflict with another contestant. Her kitchen persona was frenetic and most of her “tips” were nothing new, she simply spouted a bunch of common information that anyone who has ever cooked a hot dog already knows. Jeffrey was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, fun, has great infectious energy and would have been an asset to your network. Melissa is an also-ran. You’ve defninitely lost a very loyal viewer with your choice.
I’m thrilled that Melissa won. I woke up this morning excited (actually for the 1st time watching this series. I actually learned from her and am actually excited about cooking even though my stove has been unplugged for 6 months, I’m plugging back in and cooking again. Good for you Melissa.
I know a lot of viewers were Jeffrey fans, he never rocked my boat. I found his recipes out of my league but Melissa, wow she actually inspired me to cook again. I’m so looking forward to her show. Kudos to FN for picking her. I think she will go far, She’s a less hyper Rachel Ray.
I honestly find it difficult to believe that Melissa won. On a purely personal note, her voice is nothing I want to listen to for a full 1/2 hour. Also, while I realize that this final competition was more about television presence than it was about the dish, I found absolutely nothing interesting about being shown how to fry chicken and top it with sauteed onions. And I really feel that the potatoes-au-gratin-in-a-cup thing is something that would have earned, at the least, a derisive snort from the judges earlier in the competition. It looked about as appealing on the plate as a brick.
While I do sometimes find myself wishing that FN stars meant it when they say a recipe is simple, I don’t need it to be quite *that* simple. Guy Fieri has thus far been the only NFNS winner to parlay his success into a standout career, and I don’t see that changing now.
At least Debbie didn’t win. While she certainly had some skill, it really seemed like she was being kept around towards the end purely for the “ok, what bull crap is she going to come out with next” drama.
Jeffrey got robbed.
Mellissa is a clone for the product that food network wants to push. Nothing new. I could have made the chicken she did and she “invented it”. Come on. Will not watch her, too much of ” I, me, underdog, whines”. Jeff was the new face with good information that came across. NO wonder I like Anthony B. Is Bobby afraid of competition, he always wants the women!!
if anyone would have read the results for Van Vote, Melissa was the winner hands down. 44% said he needed to be emeliminated, only 14% said Melissa. How does this make him the winner??
I am so happy for Melissa. This was far the best episode I,ve ever watched. My co-worker and I are going to take one meal a week from Melissa and make it for our family. Congratulations Melissa!!!
All the contestants had quite a few flaws. However, I found Jeffrey to be particularly non-sportsman like. He tried to game the others, and frankly, his beef sandwich “finale” was incredibly simplistic. Plus, he never explained what his “smuggled ingredient” would taste like!
“The Dark Horse Cometh”
Did I hear that right?
Last night while watching the finale of “The Next Food Network Star” my jaw fell open as I heard Melissa’s name called out as the winner.
I looked at my husband to see his reaction as I was sure I misunderstood.
He, too, could have been knocked over with a feather. Of course, per the rules of irony, I never have a feather when I seem to need one.
Hubby and I were pleased that it came down to Jeffrey and Melissa in the finale. We equally liked them both but for different reasons.
Jeffrey brought his likable energy and travel experiences to cooking. I really liked the concept of “The Ingredient Smuggler”. As someone who doesn’t travel (I’m lucky if I go to Walmart!) I appreciated that he could take foreign and/or exotic ingredients and put them in a dish that we could easily make. He made traveling and cooking–his two passions–seem tangible and accessible. Couple that with his smile and “I’m just a Dad who likes to cook with his kids” persona and I had picked out my winner.
I was sure The Food Network saw what hubby and I saw and agreed. I mean, c’mon, it’s a shoe in, Right? Right??? I mean, isn’t it?
Then there was Melissa. A little too perky and manic for me at times, she appeared to make coffee nervous. However, she was likable. IS likable with her almost self deprecating “I’m just a regular stay-at-home Mom kind of gal with no culinary degree” spiel. She made it clear throughout this season that she was representing what she saw as her target audience and appeal. Her tips for quick, inexpensive and thoughtful meals was what impressed the judges who evidently saw her as the stay-at-home mom’s new savior. Her crown–while thorn less–nonetheless comes from the stuff of what some might see as “tragedy”; four small children, the oldest being four with her 18 month old twins rounding out her growing clan. Left her job to stay at home with children. Deceased Mom. Had to make her own family with her sorority sisters after her moms unexpected death.
And it worked. Why? Because there is nothing fake about Melissa. What you see is what you get. While she indeed used all she had, I don’t feel she overly used her past to further herself in the competition. She always spoke with a smile and a sincere yearning in her heart to do nothing but bring her culinary appeal and tips to the stay-at-home masses. She didn’t overly play for sympathy anymore than Jeffrey overly played his “good father” card. They both laid their cards on the table in an attempt to get on the judges–and America’s–good side.
There has to be stories and a connection. It can’t be all about food. Jeffrey, although happily married, would have perhaps appealed to the single or busy parents yearning to do projects with their kids, such as making crepes on a Saturday morning. While his travel experiences would have appealed to those who have wondered about their local foreign food market and how to utilize something new and different for their next dinner party.
Melissa won out.
So, I watched in awe as this self-proclaimed “dark horse” and stay-at-home Texan dynamo–who cooked and “tipped” her way into the judges hearts–take her culinary crown.
Once I was able to lift my jaw up from the floor, I then realized she had made possible for people to make a living not from degrees, but from sheer intestinal fortitude, self-taught talent, know how and personal experience.
She made me realize that if she could cook on national T.V., I could write my book and possibly, just possibly even get published.
The dark horse takes the crown–and in turn, gave back hope.
I was so shocked by results of the show that I could barely sleep last night. The judges picked another Rachel Ray “want to be”. While our whole household cheered when Debbie was eliminated we were sad that Jeffery lost. Please consider him for a show of his own, I see you’re bringing Kelsey back and Adam has a show. Losing Jeffery would be a huge lost.
Well, congrats to Melissa, but I’m afraid I won’t be watching her show. Ever. I enjoy many of Food Network’s offerings, but I just feel that Melissa’s concept has been done to death. Sandra’s Semi-home Cooked Meals, and her “Money Saving Meals,” Rachel Ray’s “30-minute Meals,” yaddah, yaddah, yaddah. I know Melissa thinks she has instant credibility with the stay-at-home-mom crowd and, to be fair, she probably does, but while I may be stereotyping, I think most cooking shows are aimed at that audience. So…yet another cooking show for that crowd…okay, you certainly know where your demographic lies, and I can’t blame you for that. But, for me, booooooring.
I was looking forward to Jeffery’s take on things, his use of new and interesting ingredients (I’ve always been a big harissa fan!) and his smooth, polished, professional style and delivery. I have to admit, Melissa’s over-perky, constant reference to her pre-fab fan base was like nails on a blackboard to me. I wish her luck, but I can’t help but think you guys made a big boo-boo here.
Did anyone notice that Melissa said many nice things about Jeffrey, but he didn’t say anything nice about her? I also didn’t like that he stood up when giving his final speech last night…something about that really bothered me. In the end, I’m glad Melissa won. I will watch her for sure!
There was a comment that states: “Melissa said many nice things about Jeffrey, but he didn’t say anything nice about her?” Melissa is very smart and I feel that she has control issues. She’s very good about “advertising” and “promoting” herself. She knows exactly what to say and when to say them to make herself the one to be liked. It doesn’t matter if all her “techniques, tips and ideas” have been done before. All she’s basically doing is giving them new names. She should stop saying “I invented this…I invented that…”, because the only things that she really invented were her silly acronyms and new names for things that have been done by chefs and home cooks. If she thought that she invented the four step technique that she showed on her pilot for the finale, well, no she didn’t. How long have chefs been cooking steaks and other meats the very same way. I am a home cook and I learned most of what I know in the kitchen through experience, just like Melissa. But the short cuts and techniques that I implement in my kitchen were not originally mine, I’ve learned them through watching and doing myself. Melissa claims she is not a chef but a real great cook. I’m very sure that all the techniques she’s renaming and claiming that she invented are not originally hers. She’s compiled what she’s learned from someone else and just added her own twist on it. Nothing wrong with that, but what bothers me is when she keeps on saying she invented them. All her concepts are the same as other chefs I’ve watched in real life and on TV. Nothing about her is original. But she’s very smart and knows how advertising works. Jeffrey’s not saying the same thing to her when she said those nice things to him was smart. They’re not there to be politicians, but to show viewers their knowledge of food and how to cook. Sure she knows how to cook, but her claim that there’s a need for her abilities is just something I can’t agree on. Most of the shows on TFN comprise of ideas, techniques, and tips on how people can cook food in their own home without fear of the not knowing. Melissa knows how to cook, but what she offers are things that already exist in TFN.
I’m glad Melissa won…she deserves it and will be a great and helpful hostess on her new show. Absolutely. HOWEVER….Jeffery deserves a show also. We want Jeffery to have his own show! What was the name of that sauce???
I thought there would have been a tie! They were both so good. Jeffrey dserves a show, too. You should give him one, FN, just like Adam gertler & Kelsey Nixon. Melissa, best of luck!!
I watched the series from start to finish and think the best person won. Ok, Melissa is a little frenetic at times and her voice is a little shrill, but bear in mind that its was a challenging and stressful time for her. I’m sure she will become more relaxed and mellow out a little through time. Jeffrey … Well, I found him a bit pompous and a little condescending at times. The lopsided grin and winking put me off a little! I would much rather have Melissa teaching me how to cook – I found her technique to be warm and supportive ….
I’m glad Melissa won…she deserves it and will be a great and helpful hostess on her new show. Absolutely. HOWEVER….Jeffery deserves a show also. We want Jeffery to have his own show! What was the name of that sauce??? Suzanne G on August 3, 2009 at 1:29 pm
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Harissa red pepper paste. It also comes canned and you can make it from scratch with one of many recipes online but I don’t know how authentic they are.
I am glad that Melissa won, she overcame the most obstacles and hurdles. ( people shouldn’t be mad that she reminded everyone of just why she was the under dog). To that end Jeffrey Saad needs a show, He has obvious star quality I have watched the entire networks’ line up and I am sure that there is room for a show from the ingredient smuggler !!!
I really wanted Debbie to win, I really liked her, not only that – I trusted that she liked food! The food network needs some Asian influence, am I saying that because I am from San Francisco and just so used to it, maybe. I just LOVED Debbie – I wanted to invite her to my house and eat donuts (or Korean BBQ) with her.
Yes, I like Melissa, and I am happy that she won after the other people tried to sabatoge her. My boyfriend was rooting for Jeffery, I will watch Melissa if she is entertaining, but consider giving Debbie a show – I want to see a girl who loves food on the Food Network, I am tired of these skinny girls talking about food – and though, I love Paula Deen, I can’t take her recipes seriously.
I am so happy Melissa won….she will fill a spot needed on FN….she is not Giada, or Ina or Paula…she is herself and I look forward to watching her show. Your lineup keeps getting better and better. I personally did not trust Jeffrey…he seemed a little pompous and insincere and yes, he never did say anything nice about Melissa (or anyone else for that matter). And where was he after the announcement – I couldn’t even see him onstage.