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You Spoke, We Listened

OK, OK, we heard you! Despite Melissa’s win, there are still a lot of Jeffrey fans out there. As I’ve always said, Jeffrey is bursting with knowledge he wants to share. You wanted more and Jeffrey was game, so we produced web-exclusive videos based on Jeffrey’s pilot episode. Presenting: The Spice Smuggler.

Jeffrey Saad takes you on a journey with Anise seed spice, Paprika, Garam Masala and Five Spice powder. He takes spices off the rack and brings them center stage. And as always, Jeffrey makes you need to taste the food.

Enjoy a little more Jeffrey Saad, and let us know what you think.

53 Comments

  1. Will this be online or on TV? Is there a link?

  2. Lisa says:

    Thank you! We are so excited and will tell everyone we know. Smart move.

  3. Kristen P. says:

    Thank you, Bob! Can't wait to tune in…when will the miniseries air on FN?

  4. Mia says:

    THANK YOU! despite it's a mini series I am glad that you gave jeffery a chance. I will be tuning in.

  5. Mea says:

    I'm glad to hear Jeffrey is getting an opportunity. I was surprised to see Melissa's show had taken Jeff's idea of global spices and rolled them into her show. If Jeff had the better idea, why not choose Jeffrey in the first place?

  6. @ChelMcQ says:

    I am so excited to see more of Jeffrey!

    Good job Food Network – make everyone happy!

  7. Manny says:

    AWESOME. Thank you for bringing him back. He truly is a star. We had missed his passion and his unsurpassed language of food.

  8. Marty Elstone says:

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Bob, you ARE the man!!! Just watched Jeffrey's first "Spice Smuggler" webisode and it was fabulous. There are, indeed, a lot of Jeffrey fans out here in viewer-land. Looking forward to lots more of Jeffrey on FN. Keep the "Spice Smuggler" webisodes coming our way. Thanks for bringing Jeffrey back.

    marty and judie
    kentucky

  9. Elaine says:

    Eventhough I have not been a real fan of Melissa, I decided to watch her shows anyway. She seems like a nice and friendly person, however, she came across as somewhat unstructured while preparing the meal.
    She cut her onions and garlic and didn't clean her board. This is a very basic skill. She kept repeating certain things about Tunisia and it's cuisine that she had already mentioned twice before. I do agree that it's very difficult to do both cooking and talking at the same time when all camera's are focused on you but nevertheless I hope that she will work a little bit more on her skills to becoming more efficient in the kitchen while cooking for an audience. I wish her the best of luck!

  10. KellyO says:

    AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!! This is the way I like to cook and learn. Can I get the
    recipes?

  11. @gstamat says:

    Jeffrey's webisodes are wonderful! This is the show that should have been greenlighted on the network! :)

  12. Yasmin says:

    I am a Vegan…watching Jeffrey makes me so hungry for meat! His food looks so tasty, I will cook it for my husband and friends. Plus I can incorpoate his spices ino my dishes – which I have done and wow!

  13. MitchSchaft says:

    Good idea!

  14. Jenny says:

    I am a stay at home mom and I would like to comment on your choice of Melissa over Jeffrey. You made the right choice, in my opinion, for several reasons. I will never make a Jeffrey recipe – they are too "unknown and scary" for the average home cook. I have already made several of Melissa'a recipes for my family and look forward to many more. Also, and this is the most important thing I want to get get across – I have never been a food network viewer until Melissa. Now I watch her show and a couple of others (Kreiger's for example- I just made her cod last week) and make their food. Melissa makes the ordinary special and different. Please listen to me and her other fans and get rid of the $10 mistake and allow her to use better, fresher and healthier cuts of meat and ingredients. I have noticed that the $10 is very controversial and limits her ingredients to unhealthy, cheaper cuts of meat such as ground beef (however, I am making her North African meatballs this week!).
    Lastly, please publish that pastry that won all that praise during the chef's dinner challenge on the NFNS. How can you deny us that recipe when everybody went nuts over it?

  15. Perla says:

    Clever move. A classic Win-Win situation. Of course there can only be one winner for the prize but it doesn't mean there could be secondary prizes. Clearly the talent of these two wonderful persons blossomed in front of the cameras and right into our living-rooms. I feel so happy and honored I witnessed it.
    A star, beside being born, needs to be developed. Congratulations Bob, you know your stuff, that's why FN is so successful. I was on the Melissa's side from the beginning but I can see, from a mile away, the potential of Jeffrey. It would have been a shameful waste if not explored at least. I will watch Melissa and Jeffrey and next season's TNFNS

  16. Karen W says:

    These are great. Jeffrey's an inspirational chef.

  17. Melinda says:

    Thank you for "The Spice Smuggler"! Jeffrey's show will break us out of our 'comfort zones' by introducing intriguing & new ingredients that would greatly enhance budget-minded cooking. Exotic doesn't always have to mean expensive! I, too, am a frugal cook but Jeffrey's pilot is making me hunt down Harissa! Jeffrey is a rare gem. I do hope you find a niche for him on your tv network in the future.

  18. Waldinsky says:

    Yes, finally! Keep it coming. We can't get enough of Jeffrey's recipes.

  19. Food Fan in CA says:

    Just watched the Spice Smuggler videos and they are awesome! Jeffery is a star, and my only problem now is which of those mouth watering dishes am I going to make tonight! Seriously he has such great charisma and star quality, and his knowledge and passion about food never cease to amaze and stimulate me! We want more Jeffery!!!!!

  20. sanita says:

    Thank-you!!!!! Jeffery was great!!!! Made me hungry, and I hope to see more of Jeffery. I'm going to try his recipe's. I wish Melissa success. Her shows have been enjoyable so far!

  21. FoodFaninCA says:

    Just watched the Spice Smuggler videos and they are awesome! Jeffery is a star!! My only problem is which of these mouth watering dishes to cook first! Seriously, he has such charisma and star power, and his knowledge and passion for food are so stimulating and inspiring! We want more Jeffery!!!

  22. drobegirl says:

    I have my grocery list for this week!
    Thank you for such yummy, exotic, and easy to cook meal ideas. I can't wait to try all of these recipes out. Jeffery is wonderful to watch. He makes me want to taste and cook his food!

  23. Roc says:

    I 'tried' to watch Melissa's show yesterday. My goodness gracious! PLEASE tell her to wipe that cutting board when she's done and stop scooping the ingredients with her hands………… I can not watch this show. She drives me nuts!! She's all over the place!!! HOWEVER!! I was thrilled to see you were going to give Jeffrey a chance,and can't wait for his new show. I've tried the harissa and I love it….never would have tried it if not for him. I can't wait!!

  24. Gotta_Glow says:

    Glad to see Jeffrey again! His tips are great. Web site problem (again). The videos stall and "Buffering" appears on the screen. But no buffering problem with the lead in commercial – it is only when it gets to Jeffrey' presentation that the site stalls. It doesn't matter which browser IE or FireFox. Who are your site designers? Frustrating, to say the least.

  25. Claire Khalil says:

    Sorry, I tried to watch Melissa's show. She seems so nervous and rattled. I don't care for her hurried style, it makes me feel anxious. Jeffrey was calm and relaxed. I will definately tune in.

  26. Gotta_Glow says:

    Also, I watched Meliss's recent show. The one using African ingredients in her American kitchen. What a rip off of Jeffrey's 'cooking without borders' concept. Unfair.

  27. John says:

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm going to make Jeffrey's anise seed fish tacos tonight!

    I too like Melissa's new show and made her Flexible 4-Step finale dish last night, but Jeffrey really made me WANT to cook and I almost never cook. For Melissa's show, please tell us the price of each ingredient. I need to really believe that it is actually $10 or less (without a pantry and fridge full of stuff).

  28. Bob Sindal says:

    WAY TO GO!!!! Now this is a show I would really enjoy. I like learning about different spices and how I can use them in a simple practical meals. Jeffery is right on!! What a pleasure to see a food show that isnt more of the same.

  29. Lana says:

    This is just an online mini-series? Or you'll air at a future date?

  30. Charlie says:

    After RachelSandraGinaMelissa's win I vowed to get my cooking show fix from PBS' Ming Tsai and Lydia Bastianich. I felt my demographic (anyone who is NOT a soccer mom/housewife) was being ignored by FN. I am happy to discover there is a ray of hope…please give Jeffrey a show, not just a webisode or two.

  31. Linda Koetsier says:

    Thank you for the video of Jeffrey although how about a series on TV for him. He is absolutely fabulous!!! I will watch him all the time…

    PS Do not like Melissa's Show.

  32. Carol Randazzo says:

    Love Jeffrey and wish he had his own show. Cannot get into the Melissa Show, she seems so fake. Please bring Jeffrey to Food Network TV.

    I really enjoy all your shows with the exception of Melissa, sorry to say I turn the channel on that one.

  33. lori nelson says:

    Bob-
    It seems that you want Melissa to fail after all. DId you always have Jeffrey in mind–Inas friend?
    WHy would you put Melissa on Sunday at 12:30 when you know that's when almost everyone is at church/services of some kind or another? It s a dead time and if she doesnt do well then I guess you wanted it that way b/c you control when she is on. Her followers–Moms—arent planning dinner at that time and they already have gone shopping. GIve her a real break…we dont need to learn about steak paste that we cant eve afford let alone find–as Jeffrey cooks with.

  34. Linda Koetsier says:

    Love the videos

  35. Judy Schomer says:

    Bob, Thank goodness that you are giving Jeffrey Saad another chance! I am going to make the talapia fish tacos tonight! He is great and again not just a boring chicken dish kind of guy! Regards, Judy

  36. Wisconsin Mom says:

    Yeah! I can't wait!

  37. Susi Meeker says:

    I think they were both great. Melissa show is very invormative and I'm looking forward to the shows with Jeffrey. It'ts really tought when your've gpt twp good people but only ONE winner. Giving them both shows was the right cnoice. Bravo!

  38. Taecan says:

    Melissa's show is a treat! I know I can see the recipes on-line which leaves me time to write down her wonderful tips. I love the ginger in the freezer.

    Jeffrey's spice journeys are great. I have smoked Paprika and Five Spice but didn't know how to use them. Great ideas!

  39. Patricia says:

    I loved the mini series videos. Jeffrey makes me excited about trying new spices. I enjoyed how he explained what was in the spice mixes. I'm familiar with some of the names, but never bought the spice because I didn't know what to do with it. Now I'm excited to go out and buy everything he talked about in these 5 videos. He made the dishes simple to make, but they came across as a complex dish filled with flavors I can't wait to taste! Jeffrey creates an excitement about food that is contagious. He appeals to a wide range of people and makes you feel like you too can be a great chef by using his ideas! Please give us more!

  40. Pete says:

    Jeff Saad is the man! He should get is own show…I can actually see myself planning to tune into his show…or at the very least, TIVO'ing it.

  41. Patrick says:

    I just came across his videos and was going to come here and post it all to everyone where they are.

    Shows tab, The next foodnetwork Star and there they are.

    AWESOME …. all you Jeffery fans must go see.

    Oh please please make a show for him.

    I dont know if smuggler is catchy title but you guys are getting there.

    I cannot wait to see him with his own shows in FN. Thank you so much Bob and all. Our family is waiting. Jeffery's scallop demo on TNFNS made my wife's fear of them disappear. She really wants to cook them now and was completely freaked out by them before his demo. He has that way about him when you watch. you just want to try all his stuff.

  42. pomsmom says:

    Lookin' forward to it.

  43. Patrick says:

    Jeffery,

    If our local Grocery stores do not carry Garam Masala can we take the 5 spices you mentioned; cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin, black pepper and cardamon taking equal parts and make our own?

    Wondering if this would work out.

  44. Marcia M says:

    Thank you. We were not Melissa fans and really wanted to see more of Jeffrey.

  45. Victoria says:

    Hey Bob ~ thanks so much for Jeffrey's "Smuggler" shows. I am already to fix the Smoked Paprika Lasagna this week. I have to admit, trying different spices is a fear I am willing to conquer thanks to Jeffrey's descriptions and easy applications. Keep him coming!

  46. Indianrose28 says:

    Jeffery is the best of the best of the best of Encyclopedia Books regarding Spices and Flavors.
    I was mesmerized watching the food come together and with spices I never would have thought to use in those dishes and the way he explains how the food tastes makes me want to go buy those spices and try them.
    He knows his flavors well and takes us around the world via Spice.
    Thanks for bringing back Jeffrey.

  47. Indianrose28 says:

    Thank you Bob for letting us enjoy Jeffrey cooking again.
    He really does know his spices and flavors and how to incorporate them in dishes I would never have thought to use with these spices.

  48. Aggie says:

    I was a big Melissa fan BUT loved Jeffrey as well!! Thank you so much for giving him this wonderful opportunity, I think his show concept is so unique and every show I've watched I've totally learned something new (lots of things actually!). I'm already craving his fish tacos!!

    My husband does not cook…but was completely inspired by Jeffrey's pilot episode in the finale. He searched high and low for some harissa paste and found it locally…he cooked me a wonderful dinner this past weekend and I am so proud of (and impressed by) him!! He blogged about his experience here on my cooking blog!
    http://aggieskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/08/harissa…

    Another great season of Food Network Star!! :)

  49. Michael says:

    Great! I look forward to seeing them! Thanks for listening.

  50. Anita says:

    Now that is why Jeffrey should have his own show. He has the perfect balance of excitement about food and the calm manner to make me believe I can do it myself. I love the idea of helping me use spices I've either seen in stores or have stored in my cabinet. Thank you for this mini-series. Think seriously about expanding it.

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Hi, Star fans. Welcome to my blog! Here, you will find all my thoughts on season 5 of The Next Food Network Star. So much happens behind the scenes of this show, and with only an hour on TV each week, there's no way to cover it all there. Keep up with my blog, post your opinions on the show and join in on the fun! The search is on to find The Next Food Network Star.

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