Thanks for another great week of questions! I’m traveling sans video camera this week, so blogging answers to you instead. Back up vlogging next week (promise), so post all your questions for this Sunday’s Episode 5 over here.
Onto my Episode 4 responses…
*****
Of course Teddy is the talk of the town this week! Courtney specifically wrote in wanting to know, “Was the decision to send Teddy home unanimous? If not, who did each judge vote to send home and why?”
I was really on the fence at first about whether we should let Teddy or Katie go. But Bob, and especially Bobby, really liked Katie and wanted to see more from her. I came down pretty hard on Katie for the under-cooked food, but Teddy just could not overcome being so forced and fake on camera. You saw in the challenge he had notes on his hand! So even though both of them were almost equally at the bottom for me, in the end, it was unanimous for us that Teddy needed to leave this week.
Jeffrey definitely had a tough episode this week. Debby asked me in the comments, “What the heck was Jeffrey supposed to do with blueberries and lobster? Since the baskets were chosen for them, are you trying to make Jeffrey fail?”
Bobby was actually very excited about Jeffrey’s basket and was looking forward to seeing what he would do with it. Look, I think it was a very, VERY difficult pairing of ingredients, but I’ve seen harder combinations on our show Chopped. This is where ingenuity, creativity and survival all come into play. The blueberries and taste of the dish weren’t his downfall; it was actually the consistency and preparation of what was, in fact, a failed pot pie. Jeffrey performed pretty poorly on this challenge, which is not typical for him. But his dish didn’t fail because it was blue; it failed because it was bad.
Megan wants to know, “Who is to blame for Debbie catching a pan in the face? Michael or Debbie? As a chef… if you are behind, say BEHIND!”
You are right. It was definitely Debbie’s call to let Michael know she was behind him. He had no idea that someone was there, especially with the pace and intensity of the clock ticking away. Just like when you’re passing someone on a bike, you should say, “on your left” or “behind you” – it’s more than just courtesy; it’s safety in a situation like that. Nonetheless, we felt terrible that Debbie got hurt, and we were absolutely worried about her. What you wouldn’t have known just by watching Episode 4 was that Debbie’s bruise was so severe, she had to keep applying and reapplying make-up as the bruise proceeded to grow and change colors. However, with all of that said, I feel a situation like this either makes you stronger, or you recoil in the face of obstacles. And in the end, I was disappointed that Debbie recoiled.
Dee, Susan, Brian, and Jennifer were all curious about the faulty equipment on this week’s episode. Dabney said, “It appeared not all of the stoves on the Intrepid were calibrated, resulting in some really bad dishes. Was this by design to see how the contestants would compensate?”
We didn’t plan to send the finalists into a faulty kitchen as a part of the challenge. However, I think cooking in different environments always presents different obstacles, so you have to be prepared to improvise. I was recently at a festival in San Francisco in which Guy Feiri, Aida Mollenkamp and Anne Burrell all performed culinary demos in the same outdoor kitchen. The wind was blowing hard that day, and it was very hard to keep the flame going. I noticed each one of them working through it, and even though they all handled it differently, everyone overcame the challenge with grace. These are very real situations the finalists are facing, and it tells us a lot about how they may face adversities as a Food Network star.
*****
Remember to send in your questions for this Sunday’s Episode 5 in the comments section of the Ask Susie - Episode 5 post.
Thanks!
Susie
Please give us fans an opportunity to vote who we would like to see as the next Food Network Star. We can vote for who we would like to see eliminated, but as far as I can see, no option to vote for our favorite. After all, we as your viewing audience, are the ones you want to please. Thank you. Love the Food Network!
You judges do an excellent job! I know it’s impossible to please everyone, but I think you guys have been spot on every time! I would love to meet Bobby Flay sometime. He is a genuinely likable person in spite of his popularity. Not everyone handles their fame as well. I watch food network whenever my husband is working (and sometimes when he’s home!)It’s my favorite channel on TV! Keep up the good work! Rhonda
Get a grip here, Susie!!! A range that doesn’t function correctly and wind blowing out a flame are two different things! One can compensate for the wind! One cannot compensate for a range that doesn’t heat correctly unless you are an electrician or have a knowledge of repairing gas stoves… On top of that to be working within a time frame makes it impossible! There are times when I think this show verges on being mean spirited - and this is another one of those!!!! If I taught school in this same manner, I wouldn’t be considered a good teacher… Everyone at least deserves the same opportunity to succeed regardless of what they bring to the table… Faulty ranges for some and not others dies not provide an even playing field…
I agree w/Rick. Sometimes the show appears mean spirited. In t.v. “land” the show would already have been edited before the “viewers” would even have the chance to see what went wrong.
Rick….get a grip yourself. Did you not read what Susie said??? They DIDNT know about the faulty kitchen. And I’m sure stars go into demo situations all the time with messsed up stoves and have change up their game plan, happens on top chef too when they need to cook on location.
Susie there’s no time stamp on your answer so I don’t know if it was posted before or after an earlier one of mine, but glad to see you did answer some of the questions.
You mention that Debbie’s bruise kept getting bigger and was changing colors, does she bruise easily?
In watching the accident it did not appear that she got hit that hard,
Mitchael was turning to his left she walked into the sheet pan, **NOW TO ME HERE’S THE KICKER** Mitchael didn’t dance with the pan like he was going to drop it, no food came flying off, from that perspective it didn’t look that bad, if she had really hit it hard he would have been fumbling around trying to keep from dropping that whole thing on the floor and I saw none of that.
You referenced Chopped in referring to Jeffery’s ingredients, remember those are professional Chefs trying for a big prize, using equipment that works and a pantry to choose various ingredients from.
If I’m not mistaken Jeffery in his comments stated that he originally had something else in mine but the equipment would not function for that to happen in the time frame provided.
Even though I’m not a fan of Katie both times her food came up raw was due to the equipment not working correctly and trying to remedy that on the fly within the time frames allowed, which this year have really been short, considering the locations.
It will be interesting to see what your remarks are following Rachael’s show has it appeared that you were not pleased with what had occurred.
I wish you would put us all out of our collective misery and get rid of the health food girl and Debbie.
In reference to Jeffrey’s situation in Chopped they have professional equipment and most importantly all the contestants have the same ingredients. I would have loved to know what the housewife would have made with Lobster and Blueberries??????
I want to see a format change in Season 6. I’d like to see something like what you guys did in Season 2. It seemed like the contestants and the FN stars had a lot of fun and you guys seemed more …human. To me, Season 2 is what FN is about getting together with friends and family, cooking and sharing a dish and enjoying each other. I’m tired of the ICA format.
You judges really have a tough job! LOVE THE SHOW. Watching this past week, I really thought Katie would go..mainly because of her raw food she has been serving…but I was torn between her and Teddy….something about him wasn’t quite right for a network TV show…can’t wait for the next episode!
I agree with Mel’s comment about Debbie, I kept replaying it on my DVR and my immpression was that she was making it out to be worse than it was. Maybe for sympathy points from the judges. I lost all respect for her on the first episode. I thought she should have left then.
Here’s a Throwdown for you, Susie — give us ONE recipe using the “very, VERY difficult” pairing of lobster and blueberries. Take all the time you want, and use a stove that works. Ask Bobby Flay for help if you need it. Betcha can’t create just one!
Frankly, I thought Debbie thought she would bump into Michael making him drop his tray of food. It just backfired on her. Don’t trust her at all. She has been deceitful and manipulative from the start. She is also a one trick pony-enough Asian fusion! If she wins, I won’t watch her.
What ever happened to the winner of Season 2? Wasn’t she supposed to have a “backyard cook” type show? I say Melissa is the ringer for this season…she is on the rise and will reign as the queen cook for all us homecooks!!
It seems that the faulty equipment etc. is becoming more common. Also it seems the judges are manipulating the scenarios for their favorite. We saw this last season too with Aaron. I find this very disappointing since I really like all of the people involved in this show. The “behind” the scenes people should be responsible for seeing that all equipment is in working order. Jeffrey was handed a raw deal on this challenge with ridiculous ingredients and then equipment that failed. When Katie’s food came out raw I don’t believe it was because of faulty equipment and the housewife constantly claims “I’m just a stay at home mom” - so what! Hope this week’s episode is better!
said i was done posting but i can’t resist LOL
katie isn’t the shining star but she did have faulty equipment and was made to suffer for it. so she is rightly still in the competition.
and poor jefferey, a lousy pan and stove to cook lobsters in. geesh. not his fault. a true “monkey wrench” tossed in his corner. wow. unfair.
as for deb….. please send her home. not a person of integrity.
and about anne burrell… silly woman dared to speak about melissa’s exuberance? wow. she is a trip to try to watch. the grunts and groans. not pretty. and she is so talented too. sad.
so glad those three guys went away. that one reminded me of al bundy in looks and mannerisms LOL
Debbie is the only one that I would like to see win. Food network needs a REAL Asian technique cooking show for the home cook. I don’t think any of the others have what it takes to carry a show for more than a season.
I keep hearing all of this complaining about blueberries and lobster not going together. Am I missing something here? Are they both not from Maine? I was very excited to see it! I thought perhaps a lobster pot pie with a blueberry chutney would have been fabulous! I think this jusy showed Jeffrey’s lack of culinary training. But I do love him, as does the camera. I hope he does better this time around.
I don’t want to watch Kate on tv. She cries over everything. Is she going to cry at the end of every show?
I think it’s a fair to compare Jeffrey’s basket to one on Chopped, however those contestants have to work with the same ingredients. Since the baskets were specifically assembled for this challenge please consider adding a fair segment (think cross-promotion of shows) next year where everyone has to make cactus pods, sweet pickles and prawns into something tasty
Fair is fair..
Whilethe non-working ovens added to the drama, I assume your pre-production staff didn’t catch that in time to warn you.
My question is: Can you confirm Debbie has a hot dog stand opening this summer, as is being reported? The domain was registered on 5.7.09 and is a parked site. If this is a joke it’s very funny. If not, then FN needed to have kept a tighter lid (pun intended) on it. Please let us know.
I’m a 1st year viewer and have to say this show is highly entertaining!
i agree with you Bolen, i will watch that go go go….
Hi, Susie!
Yes, emma, this show IS highly entertaining! And part of its entertainment value is that viewers can get so steamed up about the various contestants and issues!!!
As I was reading through the posts here and on Bob’s Blog (and writing passionately in to both!) I saw so much “Americanism” happening, more than I’ve seen in a long time on the news channels in the face of this wretched economy and stressed out environment.
But for this show, we can trot out our “right to speak out” and forcefully express our opinions and just get into a general tizzy! It’s WONDERFUL, and wonderfully stress-relieving! And we even get to voice our pet peeves over other shows. How cool!
So thanks, FN, you’ve done us all a service. Can’t wait to see how heated it gets in the next episodes when Katie confesses she’s a closet vegan and has never cooked meat in her life until this competition; when Debbie confesses that she’s actually Swedish but has had lots of cosmetic surgery to look Korean because she determined that’s the demographic that would most help get her on the show; or when someone blows the whistle on Michael and we find out he’s actually straight as an arrow, works in an office on Wall Street in his “real” life, but studied gays extensively so he could make the most theatrical kind of splash for the judges - oh, and that it was really his GIRLFRIEND who taught him how to cook!
Stay tuned, same time, same place on Sunday! I will certainly be there. And thanks again Food Network!
Ruthie :o)
Susie– With all do respect after I watched the episode again, Jeffrey’s dish failed because the stove was an electric stove and did not warm up to get the consistency of the pot pie to where it needed to be in a timely manner therefore it was an equipment malfunction verses his culinary abilities. Am I missing anything?
Mo
I tried Melissa’s tip with the green onions. It really works, and they grow so fast! We love the green part but don’t buy them usually because they go bad before we can use them all. Now we can always enjoy them anytime! I really would looooove her oven egg recipe.
So glad to see Teddy go! Who would want to eat food prepared by a man with no heart. My children questioned his intergrity as we have watched the series. I want pretty dishes with flavor, that will wow my family and friends. The lady’s on the show are class acts. Our preschool family can relate to Melissa and Debbie, they are exciting to watch. Melisa is a hoot. Just like a MOM, we taste our kids med’s before we give it to them, why not all the peppers. She is real, like my lady Paula.
I agree with Mo. Your answer about the malfunctioning stoves was pretty glib, but the fact remains a good cook can overcome just about any problem…but you just can’t cook without heat! Several of the contestants had problems getting enough heat out of their stoves/grills/ovens/etc. It almost appears that, as some have mentioned, you have already picked your favorite and find the easiest way to get rid of the others is just to take their heat away.
I would not, could not, watch a show hosted by Michael. He looks greasy, is constantly running his fingers through his hair and flouting his sexuality (Is Bobby Flay gay, too?)
Debby can’t seem to cook anything but Asian, and seems to have sabotaged someone in every episode. I could never watch a show hosted by her.
Katy is kind of boring…although I like the health angle, I just don’t think she is TV material.
Melissa’s constant huge smile makes my teeth hurt…I could watch her maybe once every 3 months. Anything more would exhaust me.
Jeffrey is, at this point, my favorite. He seems to have a great personality for television, and can cook–if given a working stove. You keep griping that you don’t know much about him. So what? I’m not interested in his personal life that much…I am interested in how well he cooks and whether he can explain what he’s doing in an entertaining manner.
Please, Susie, give us some new programming. I don’t want to watch a clown attempt to cook however good they might be; i.e. Michael, Teddy, Eddy and last year’s annoying Adam Gertler.
No more weepy women, Katie, Melissa and Debbie.
No more over-the-top flaming gays — don’t have to mention names but a guy who is worried about his mascara running really bothers me.
I think the station really needs a really good Asian chef but Debbie doesn’t do it for me. I think Asian cuisine is really popular now that we are all conscious of eating healthy. That being said, Katie is boring and I would never watch her. I am tired of her never ending healthy preaching. I read her bio and she won’t eat veal of lamb so I guess they wouldn’t be on her menu. Those are two of my favorite meats. Where are the Ming Tsais of today?
We need new chefs. You have too many southern-style black and Caribbean chefs.
I am also tired of the plunging necklines and push-up bras, fake false teeth and comments like “give me some sugar”. The Neelys have to go or at least please get rid of Gina.
Also, I don’t like your block programming where you take two shows and show them over and over on an evening. Mix it up a bit, please.
Could we have MORE, MANY MORE shows with INA, Please?
After re-watching the all of the episodes today, just to make sure I wasn’t missing something in the first viewing, I still don’t understand why you continue to champion Debbie at times. I find her irritating and manipulative, and would definitely not watch her if she’s given a show. I’ve agreed with your decisions to date, but when it comes down to the last few candidates, my husband and I both feel that we would be happy with Jeffrey, Michael, Melissa or Jamika. We haven’t decided on an absolute favorite and can’t wait to see how the next few weeks play out, but we would definitely watch one of those four if they become your next star.
Yeah it doesn’t look like Debbie was hit very hard but apparently she still got a really big bruise. What’s up with that? And how on earth do you cook with blueberries and lobster in an oven that doesn’t work?
your excuse about Jeffery is very very weak. The guy purposely was given LIVE lobsters and blueberries. He started off at a huge disadvantage. Was this done to make Debbie look better?
Katie has presented two raw dishes for that alone she should have gone home. This is for a cooking show at some point she’ll have to know how to cook.
As for the kitchen issues. Another weak excuse. And your stars don’t always perform. You only have to look as far as Giada. She simply can’t cook live.
Jeffery had a raw deal - (food selections, equipment failure…) Other than these “limiting” features, he has the most camera friendly, personable presentations of anyone else. I slso agree with emma, to be fair across the board with challenges that everyone can show his/her creative “self” with the same difficulties. Do not groom the winner by the difficulties imposed on them.
Thank you Susie for receiving our comments.
LaDonna @3:29pm
So you’d rather watch a cook who is deceitful, a liar, conniving and a one trick pony JUST because she’s Asian than an honest cook that is trustworthy? I agree it would be nice to have an Asian themed show, but Debbie is not the person for it. FN used to have Ming on with an Asian cooking show and they took him off. He was very knowledgeable and put on a great show. Don’t know if they took him off due to lack of viewers or what.
I noticed Debbie is real good about putting some of her bad choices off on someone else examples the angel food cake and the instant pudding. One of the cooks wanted biscuits which she just shrugged off. Also when she shopped for the others she did not buy some of their main ingredients but her smile and poor me ways seem to win the judges over. I personally hope she doesn’t win.
THANKS FOR EXPLAINING TO US THAT IT’S IMPORTANT TO SEE HOW CLEVER THE CONTESTANTS BECOME WHEN FACING SUDDEN ADVERSITY. A FAULTY STOVE, WITH NO ALTERNATE SOURCE OR TIME TO SWITCH GEARS FOR YOUR RECIPE, IS A BIG CHALLENGE THAT NO DOUBT SEEMED UNFAIR TO THAT COOK. JUST ANOTHER COG IN THE JOB INTERVIEW WHEEL.
I don’t know that the Network took Ming off has he does have a show on PBS.
It could have been a money issue as I suspect the reason that the other well known Chefs have left, Emeril, Mario, Chirillo, Wolfgang Puck, Jamie Oliver (all though I think he’s supposed to have a show but I have absolutely no idea when it is supposed to be on) to name a few.
The network has lost so many decent Chefs that they are forced to have all these Challenge shows, which are Boring, Boring, Boring, repeats after repeats Eahhhh.
Guy probably likes the money since he’s become a regular on the network his restaurant(s) never see him working there, but then neither do any of the other Chefs.
Hi Susie, I want to say I love this show however, I feel the personalities of the competitors seem to be repeating each season. Another question: the prize for this show is a show of their own which is great, why then do I see a loser, Adan Gertler, with his own show? I realize he is not cooking but he was still rewarded with a show. The issue for me is he was the person I liked least in that season.
Now, for this season, I agree with the person who suggested we get to vote for our favorite as well as who should leave. You judges seem to like Mellissa’s dishes but for me I could not watch her on a constant basis. Being untrained should not handicap her, but I find the dishes she prepares too similar to one I create daily. I want to be challenged and learn new techniques and new tastes I can add to my recipe box. Guy and Big Daddy bring these type of dishes to viewers, interesting but easy.
I also agree with a previous comment about asian inspired dishes. Debbie may not be the right person, but FN definitely needs an asian chef to teach us EASY, tasty asian food.
WOW- -I’ve spent the afternoon watching FNS reruns and reading alot of the postings! Think it’s fair to say that a high percentage of writers think Debbie should be/have been booted off for her lack of character…my question to those…do you show any of the same characterisics in your daily life? If so, ditch them as you would have her.
I do agree w/ the double elimination of Eddie & Teddy..the latter pouted waaay too much for a grown man and Eddie needs to be more respectable of others; even those older than him; for he, too, will age!
Michael–to say he is “over the top” is an understatement! If he is looking to be the next STAR, then PROFESSIONALISM needs to be in his vocabulary. I’ve never heard any present Food Network Chef say they would “like to make out…” with any co-workers. A little bit goes a long way. If he’s selected, I will not tune in.
To Jill dated 6/28– ref. Paula Deen…having grown up in the South..”some sugar” was either a kiss or a standard measurement in a recipe! If I wanted to cook like Mom, I’d stand beside her and help and learn. That’s what’s special about Southern cooking…it’s a feelin’ that comes from spending hours in the kitchen cooking for those you love.
Having watched every season of FN Star, this one is…..disappointing! No one in this group has the “it” factor ~ to make me keep watching. You saw star quality in Guy Fieri and he has proven himself more than worthy of the title! Some of the past winners are no longer on FN, TV fame short lived, must not have had enough “IT”. Maybe the Lobster & Blueberries clinched it for me. I’ll wait for next season.
@ cookin’grits
So it’s okay for Debbie to Lie and sabotage others. But Teddy had to go because he pouts?
Interesting.
YAY! I LOVE that this week’s answers are in text form instead of video because I have dial-up instead of a high-speed connection and can’t view the videos. I would like to request that you include a text transcript of each video in this series.
Also, great questions chosen - After watching the episode I actually had these questions/issues and enjoyed seeing your answers.
But, I do disagree a bit with the answer regarding how hard Jeffrey’s basket was. I understand that getting a difficult combo gives the potential star a chance to shine BUT, unless you give them all difficult combos it still is NOT fair.
Susie,
You are gorgeous!!!
BETTY Z on July 4, 2009 at 8:00 pm,
Do you realize that when you type in all caps it is the same as yelling? Plus it is hard to read.
My two favorite personalities so far a Jamika and Melissa. Both are cute as kittens. Neither are the best cooks, but a tv show isn’t just about the food. After all how many of us actually fix all the recipes we see on the shows. Shoot, I fully expect one day Paula Dean will slap a stick of butter on a hot dog roll, sprinkle it with herbs and call it a picnic! I don’t watch her for her food, I watch her because she’s fun and entertaining. And again, with Giada, it’s not the food (although I much prefer Italian cuisine to Southern country), it’s how adorable she is, you just enjoy watching the process with her.
Susie, I think your response regarding Jeffrey and his ingredients was a cop out. We are not watching “Chopped”, and unlike “Chopped”, the chefs were not given ingredients of the same level of difficulty. The other contestants had ingredients that naturally went together. And the contestants are not vying for a spot on Chopped, Iron Chef,Dinner Impossible, where they have to be creative on the spot.
Also to Lin Larson above: I am from Maine too, but I’ve never seen Lobster and blueberries put together in the same dish. They are showcased separately so that they can shine in their respective dishes. Potatoes are also come from Maine and would have made a better and more fair selection.
Really I thought the point of the contest was to see whose cooking style and personality would make for the best show. You can only do that in situations where they at least get to pick their ingredients, so that we can see their much-valued “point of view”.
Ruthie, 7/4 @4:24 PM - Way to go, girl! Best letter in the whole basket! Love your perspective and comments. Thanks for saying what I wanted to but better than I could have.
FN is giving us Entertainment and it’s great!
It’s become a bore to me - seems as if the judges have predetermined that Debbie will win. I guess they all think that the viewers will forget that she screwed up the first week by over shopping, tossing her fellow contestant’s needed ingredients to stay in budget, and made a horrific “executive decision” to buy angel food cake rather than think “hey, let’s use frozen bread dough” (or any number of other alternatives) for the beniets. No, this viewer will not watch a show featuring her. I find her pushy and underhanded.
I think it’s interesting that these finalists have to undergo such strenuous challenges when the resulting show will be planned and taped. And Rachael and Bobby said they were sure glad they never had to go through all this. I like Jeffrey, because of his calm style … but then again, Ina is my favorite, maybe for the same reason.
And, after watching episodes 1-3 yesterday, do wonder why Debbie’s behavior has been forgiven several times over ..
I have been watching Food Network since the beginning — I still remember Chef Ruggerio. I really miss the wonderful chef/teachers you use to have like Michael Chiarello, Ming Tsai, Sara Moulton, Mario Batelli. Last years winner, Aaron Jr. — I turn the TV off when his show is on. His voice drives me crazy. The Neely’s — I love that they love each other but I’m really more interested in cooking and recipes not watching a horny couple grope each other. I wish you guys would go back to the old format and forget some of the cake competitions, throw downs, traveling the world, weird foods, favorite foods, etc. Oh, and maybe I’m different than the majority but your aspiring FN stars don’t have to share their lives with me as you keep asking them to — I prefer them to share their recipes, tips and techniques.
To WisconsinGranny and Ruth:
I think the food network is doing and excellant job with bringing “DIVERSITY” to the station. I mean we do live the “UNITED STATES” where there is nothing but diverse people and cultures. I like everyone from Ina up to down home with the Neely’s. Sounds like someone needs to get over their ignorance and accept that everyone has diffrent views on food.
In my comment TO WisconsinGranny and Ruth: where it says the food network is doing “and” excellant job…it should read “food network is doing “an” excellant job…. sorry!! anyone can make a mistake.
Ruthie, 7/4 @4:24 PM - Way to go, girl! Best letter in the whole basket! Love your perspective and comments. Thanks for saying what I wanted to but better than I could have.
FN is giving us Entertainment and it’s great!
WisconsinGranny on July 5, 2009 at 9:35 am
Thanks, WG! Glad you’re having as much fun as I am getting wound up about these “issues” and all the great posts!!!
Ruthie :o)
Hey, Ruthie, don’t forget to have your crying towel handy tonight. I can’t wait! :~)
Susie
Are you aware that Debbie is cooking and serving some type of Asian food in a club in LA? The reason I am asking is that a local gossip site said that she had some special guests, one of which was Reba MacEntire.. This was last week. Hope she goes next. She is a liar and a phony…
There is only one clear choice for the winner - Debbie Lee. FoodTV desperately needs an Asian-fusion cooking show. Don’t you think it’s about time? You would definitely get a bigger audience by including the Asian population.
I have a comment on the faulty kitchen appliance situation. As Susie said, there was a live demo in San Fransisco where Guy, Aida, and Anne were cooking and the wind was blowing causing the flames hard to work with. But the show was probably seriously edited and furthermore I’m pretty sure they weren’t given challenging ingredients and an outrageous “timed” challenge. There is a big difference here Ms. Fogelson. Just my opinion.
You didn’t mention Debbie bland chicken but you commented on Jeffrey’s sorry dish.
Regarding Debbie Lee & her hotdog shop: My new Food Network magazine, August/September issue, page 32, has a blurb about her shop, Hot Dog Debbie’s “scheduled to open in LA this summer”. Curiouser and curiouser….
Wow, I don’t know where all the harsh criticisms are coming for Debbie (and Susan). While I’m not neccesarily routing for Debbie (I like Jamika & Melissa) I think all the eliminations so far have been fair and balanced. I also don’t think the show is fixed, but at the end of the day, they really have to pick someone that is a great onscreen personality in addition to having the cooking chops.
I didn’t see the first episode when it came out but saw it this weekend. Debbie should have been gone on Round One. The team captain should have made sure everyone had what they needed first. She took care of herself and the others were left with out their requested ingredients. Also, Susie, what ingredients are standard in the kitchens the finalists are working in?
Seriously, Debbie HAS TO GO!! Not just for the lack of integrity but really, all she brings is Asian..which I love but don’t you tell others they have ‘too much of the same thing?’ Why aren’t you telling her that, too? I love Jeffrey, think he would be the best to win..Melissa is too much! I don’t have kids and I’m 50..I wouldn’t watch her because she’s too sugary! Ick..(I can’t stand Paula Deen!) I do like Jamica and Michael is way too over the top..the comment about ‘makin out with Bobby Flay’ was disgusting! Katie, I wouldn’t watch either..at least she’s getting better about not shoving ‘health conscious’ down our throats (and I am into pretty healthy eating, just don’t have to ALWAYS bring it up!)
Since the viewers can’t taste anyone’s food, all we have to go on is personality. Based on that, I have two comments/questions: Does taste matter to the judges? If yes, Katie should be going home, since you couldn’t even try two of her dishes in order to KNOW how they taste. (If the thinking is, “Well, if it was cooked correctly, it would have been delicious,” then I could have been a final contestant! lol) Second, are you looking for a winner to fit a particular demographic? Well, here’s mine: I cannot cook food that other people want to eat. It takes patience I just don’t have. I’m not a family person, mom or dad. I’m not Asian, and I am not a big fan of Rachel Ray. But I do love to watch someone who’s having fun. And that’s Michael, hands down. He’s honest, he’s true to himself, he’s not acting. Bobby’s just being Bobby on his shows…Michael’s the only one who seems like he’s being himself on this show. If he doesn’t work out in front of the camera, for Zeus’ sake, PLEASE hang on to him, let him get USED to it for a different show. He’s got something to him you can NOT buy. Or fake.
Bobby Flay cannot even disguise his envy on Jeffrey. Appalling!
It was time for Katie to go — too boring. Debbie is underhanded and not trustworthy, Michael is to over the top and they should go next. I would like to see Melissa win but would also watch a show with Jamicka or Jeffrey.
Wow. Just Wow. The answer about Jeffrey and also about the stoves. Wow. And Hot Dog Debbie’s? And you wrote this up in the magazine. It is fixed.
Last posting. No more FN for us.
I think Michael will be the next to go. I’m stuck between Jeffery and Melissa. I think FN next season should be different. I’m finding myself yawning too much on the ones we have now and last season. Look for more talent and take the secerts of a chief off. She’s so annoying and Paula needs to go back to her roots and cut her party show off its tacky!!
I think a show showing the average cook how to cook gourmet would be great. I need to know what flavors compliment each other and what some ingredients even are. The cooking schools include resturant management and how to run a kitchen as a chef. I am not interested in that part but I love to watch shows about gourmet chef’s. I would love to know what they know! I think Melissa or Jeffrey could pull that off!
Eliminating Katie tonight was wrong. Susie noted her progress and improvement at the end of the show. I don’t think she’ll win, but this wasn’t her time to go. Should have been Michael or Jamika. What’s Michael’s culinary point of view?? Also, he has shown absolutely no improvement in front of the camera.. actually getting worse from week to week. I wouldn’t watch a show he hosted. Enough of his flambouyance….time for Michael to go.
I can’t believe Michael is still safe, he has admitted he’s scared of the camera. I find him very difficult to watch.
Never heard of Susie before but she has no stage presence, she is to fake. And Bob the same. Don’t know how the two of you became judges!?
Katie would do good at her own show because she had something different and better to bring to the table. HEALTHY FOOD! All my friends and I agree that you did not know what you where doing to get rid of Katie. She is what people have been waiting for. She could give nutritional info while she prepares healthy dishes. I am so tired of looking at green or yellow hair preparing my food. And some of the habits of these peoples in the kitchen makes me never want to eat anything they cook. Katie is clean and professional and KNOWs what she is talking about.
While I think Katie’s kid’s meal was one of her strongest efforts, I was glad to see her go. She had great enthusiasm, but eyes and facial expressions that drove me nuts.
Next to go has got to be Michael. He is constantly on the brink of spontaneous combustion.
Bottom line, while FN is both food and television, the food is nothing without an intelligent, informative, intriguing individual who is pleasant to look at and is comfortable and natural in front of the camera and surrounding crew.
I thought Melissa would be gone by now, but she’s actually completely changed my opinion of her and she’s come a long way. I think she’s a viable contender to make it to the end.
Everyone seems to really love Jeffrey. Jeffrey annoys me to no end, and has since the beginning. He’s too over the top, and there’s just no “there, there”.
Jamika really disappointed me during today’s RR episode, but I can’t say I blame her. Jeffrey’s just plain annoying and you could tell there’s no chemistry.
My money’s been on Jamika from the start. Jamika is extremely natural on and off camera, and has a nice, pleasant look and style. Her cooking has been good and can always be improved.
Debbie is also very natural, lacking in areas, but can be fixed.
Get rid of Michael and Jeffrey and you’ve got three very capable women, each of whom have their own unique personalities and styles.
It is absolutely appalling that someone with your apparent intelligence would continue to defend Debby. If you are skewing the winner so we will have an Asian foodstar, I can say only two things: first, no one is going to be watching Debby “I’m a Korean” and so the show will tank; second, out of all those auditions, was there not one attractive, telegenic Asian star who could cook?
I agree with Andrea 7/5 @ 11:53 am. Want to learn about cooking.
Thanks for your posting!! Well said lidia in nm 7/4 @ 5:36 pm.
However, I do like Debbie. She doesn’t come across manipulative to me….
It seems like many of FN star cast members lack knowledge and cooking skills. I guess there’s a shortage of qualified contestants.It just blows my mind that some of the cast members have never cooked with common ingedients such as squid, duck, pumkin, etc. The next FNs needs to be well trained in the culinary field and have a profound understand of techniques and cooking tips. Personality, is good but if your recipes suck no one will give you credibility. Cooks suchs Sara Lee and a couple of other cooks should be cancelled. why you ask, because I can tell alot of the stuff they make does not taste good. I tried to make a few recipes they made it would horrible. Viewers want chefs or cooks that can show us how to cook great tasting foods. Personality is a far second,….unless your emeril. and even emerill looks uncomfortable when he is trying to cook foods out of his expertise such as Asian Foods. I really thing FN needs a good Asian chef to teach us Asian influence cuisine. Asian cuisine are much healthier than american. To much fat and sugar not good for your health.FNS this season is O.K. I think the Fat Korean chick is gonna win..
TNT needs characters. Michael is your next Guy. Maybe he’d relax more if he pretended he was…Julia Childs. Melissa makes me nervous. She doesn’t come across sincere.
I think you Susie were too hard on Jamika. Jamika tried to say something but Jeffrey kept on and on. Number 1 she didn’t want to do the meal but she went on along so don’t be so hard on her.
Love the show and am enjoying the new season! Glad the show’s judges decide who stays and who goes and not viewers. Too easy for it to turn into a popularity contest were it left to the viewers. This isn’t Idol. Let the people who know what they are doing (chefs and network execs) make the call. My only “complaint” is that there just isn’t enough Susie on the show. Gorgeous and intelligent Susie is the icing on the cake for this viewer! :o)
Susie- You are so obviously biased for Debbie! I have no idea why you like her so much. She seems comfortable in front of the camera but if her food is sub-par, who cares. Her food has been less than stellar.
I saw the first show Giada did for FN. She was noticeably uncomfortable on camera but look at her now. In addition, her food is really delicious. Remember, this is the FOOD Network. We want edible and attractive recipes not just talking heads.
allie on July 6, 2009 at 1:25 am,
Umm….Susie and Bob are Food Network executives. They are the ones responsible for getting a show on the air and marketing the show as well as the “star”. They should be judges. I do believe that they’ve already chosen a winner who I will not watch, but that is beside the point.
None of the contestants have really shown “Star Power”. I am still waiting. Jeffrey is my favorite and Debbie needs to go because of her dishonesty in the first episode. Michael is great, but if the cameras bother him, TV is not the place to be. As Bobby said “grab the title”. No one has yet.
If I was only allowed one station on my TV it would be the FOODNETWORK.
THE BEST by far. Always new shows popping up and the TV personalities are SOO AWESOME. Bobby is TOP, Giada, Neelys, Ina all my favorites, OH who am I kidding, I love them all, Chopped rocks ICA ROCKS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. My 13 year old son actually knows who Bobby is and Ina and we watch ISA on Sundays together. Something for everyone.
I just read some of the comments, and it seems you’ll never keep everyone happy with your choice. However, to me the standout that more don’t like than the others is Debbie. It appears that you’ve made up your mind to have her win, and I just don’t understand what you see in her, or who you think will watch her show. I’d probably at least check out a show staring one of the other four; but Debbie’s show - no way. I am, however, really hoping that Melissa wins. I think she can teach us alot. I’m glad too that you didn’t give up on Jamika because I think there is alot of potential there.
Wow,.. some pretty interesting and opinionated comments.
The turkey burger would have been cooked through if she had simply made the patties thinner.
The first thing Jeffrey should have done is put on a pot of water to cook the lobster. He was ill prepared and as a result he panicked and hacked the crap out of that beautiful Lobster.
The first thing you learn in a busy kitchen, as mentioned above, is to yell “behind you” if you approach someone from behind. Also yelling “Hot Stuff” when moving a hot pan from a stove or oven is also appropriate. So in my mind they were both at fault to some degree.
I agree that weeding out individuals by presenting them with difficult situations, then observing how they deal with it, is a good way to see how they react to stress.
We all know that these contestants have a specific culinary point of view. The paces they are being put through are more about being tools to derive who they really are.
They are not trying out for “Iron Chef” or “Dinner Impossible”, but they do have to interact with others and deal with certain levels adversity whatever they do.
All that being said, the one variable that has to be overcome in a culinary based show is inedible raw food.
We have all made a dish that fails because we get the spices wrong or maybe forget an ingredient, but there is no excuse for serving raw food that requires cooking to a specific temperature.
If the meat is too thick to cook through given the circumstances then slice it thinner.
Sometimes you just have to step back and assess your situation and be smarter than the problem.
Glenn
Every one keeps commenting on the pairing of challenging foods. Here is my thing. First of all, the show is based on people trying to win their own t.v. show. Hell yes it should be a challenge. Come on people. Would you like them to just have to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for the judges, and then spend 30 minutes to an hour once a week telling the viewers how many variations of the PB & J they can make? It’s a contest. It should be brutal in my opinion. This is a HUGE opportunity that should not just be handed over on a silver platter. Besides, they could utilize any other ingredients they wanted to with the lobster and bluberries. That whole excuse about the ingredients being hard is just a cop out. They need to learn to think outside the box.
Susie, I am a single working mom and I spend a lot of time making home made baby food for my daughter. Will there ever be a food network show about baby food recipes? I would love to learn some new and fresh baby food recipes. Thanks for your time.
The show this year is such a dissapointment. Thank goodness BRAVO is taking on some cooking shows. Why is Debbie still a contestant? What has happened to the integrity of the Food Network?
I also just have to add that most of you don’t like Micheal, or “find it difficult to watch him” because he is clearly gay. I think he rocks for that very reason. 90 percent of the viewers of Food Network, HGTV, TLC or any of those chnnels are stay at home moms, or dads, and gay men. I’m not trying to be rude or anything. I have a gay brother, and he has tons of friends, and ALL of them LOVE the Food Network. They love it. I love it too, but being a mommy to a 7 month old makes it hard to watch TV for any real ammount of time.
Anyways, I think you rock Susie. I think Bob is awesome as well. I don’t really care for Bobby Flay just because he reminds me of Donald Trump when he gets on his holier than thou kick. I adore Rachel Ray. I watch, or try to watch 30 minute meals every night at 6:30pm.
As for the next food network star, I wouldn’t mind if Micheal won, but I’d really like to see Melissa win. Being a mom myself I have more to relate too with her than anyone else. She is just a simple lady with some big ideas, and I like that about her.
Debbie is too much ” I’m a korean”
Jeffery is too much in general
Jamika is clearly in it for the money with no passion for actual cooking
and I’m glad to see the raw health food girl go.
Debbie is very pompus self-rightous. She needs to go and soon. When she opens her mouth you can tell that she is just a little too much. I will tell you, if she wins, the show as really gone to the dogs. Melissa is a true winner. I would watch her 24/7. She is homey - down to earth - friendly - and she feels like she is a long lost friend or sister that you just want to share a cup of tea with on a daily basis.
She is a WINNER - HANDS DOWN
What a very trying and diffcult decision you have to make on WHO really could be the next FN star… Jamika hmmm. yes i would watch for a short time. Debbie NO not on your life.. she can not own up to her own problems dishonest, and always claiming it was someone else. Stop and think about his Debbie would any one really want to sit and watch you when you honestly can not tell the truth. 1) you had to put food back because you were over budget, then you come back and say you had over $1.00 or more let.. I believe it was really under the $1. then you throw people under the bus because you think they are dishonest, (oh go look in a mirror my dear) then you walk into Micheal and the pan, OMG it hurts or I don’t think I can make it through it hurts.. come on Oscar you are not up for . What is going to be the next thing we have to listent to…
Good job judges, it is really a challenge this time.
Who won the yummo kid’s challenge on Rachel Ray? Jeffrey did a great job with that.
I sense ‘the fix is in’ for Debbie. Because of that, I would be inclined not to watch any more. Who wants to watch a horse race where you know the outcome - unless you have a bet on the winner.
The only reason I’m still watching is to observe Jeffrey’s cooking.
I missed the first show so don’t know what Debbie did or said but have you all been above it yourself? Do you all think you are perfect? I think Debbie has a certain draw about her even more so than some of the stars that are on now. This doesn’t mean I am looking for her to be the winner, I have my own pick but get off it and let her try and make things better. She may just be the one.
I wonder about putting any of these contestants under the gun in coming up with meals on the spot with unusual ingredient pairings. Or do they have more time than what the show seems to give them? I know on Iron Chef, the contestants have several weeks to create dishes with the possible ingredients,as they are given a list in advance. While I recognize they are different shows, it seems the contestants on NFNS have the bigger challenge, when we all know any FN show is scripted well in advance. It just seems to me the two overriding factors is quality of food preparation and personality. The games they are made to participate in doesn’t always play to their strengths–a factor that will more than likely be the central element to their show.
I am inclined to quit watching NFNS….Debbie has NO integrity & Michael has NO sense of hygiene, yet both remain. At least “cook everything rare” Katy is finally gone! Jeffrey & Jamika are good, with Jeffrey seeming to have the cooking & the charm both down. If Debbie is not voted off the food island next Sunday, I’ll never watch it again. I’m just getting too disgusted & frustrated. By the way Debbie: we got that you are Korean the first time you told us. We don’t need to be told a gazillion times! And Melissa: We are sick of hearing about your girls!! You have no depth!
Arlen…you missed the first episode where Debbie lied about the amount of $ she spent at the grocery store after having put back other people’s ingredients instead of some of her own. Hence the crowd’s dislike of her. She has no integrity. Jeanne
I am with all the people that think the show is fixed for Debbie but I feat that it will not make any difference. The only judge that has any credibility. Susie, other than you good looks, what qualifies you to be a judge. where is your restuarant or your cooking show. Just wondering.
sorry. judge with any credibility is Bobby
Arleen on July 6, 2009 at 3:53 pm
No we do not think we are perfect. But I can tell you this…there is no way that I would make sure that I had all my ingredients and deliberately leave out ingredients for my fellow contestants if I was the one sent to the store. And if I made a bad decision to buy angel food cake for dessert to FN stars, I would take ownership of it and not try to pass the buck to my team mates. You stated you did not see the first episode so you have no idea of Debbie’s behavior. By the way, did you know she’s Korean?
On the last episode it was stated that we can now vote for not only who we want elimated but who we want to be the next foof network star. I searched the website and I am uable to find where to vote for who I want to win. Help appreciated!
Why was Debbie featured in the latest FN magazine? Is she your choice - not our choice? And why is Cry Baby Adam back? What a joke!! What is going on? Used to love this network — but……………..things are changing. Anyways Debbie has a hot dog restaurant…American hot dogs or?????????????
I agree with Linda - enough with southern drawls, fake give me sugar soul food, over the top spiked hair and manic ways. I didn’t watch Emeril for that reason and I’m from New Orleans. I find that even though I do like some of the newer shows, The Neeleys drive me nuts. Its phony romance and kissy poo, her voice grates on my nerves. Guy Fieri is a good cook, but really loves himself and is biker material - I feel Michael would be the same.
For my money, Jeffrey is the all time favorite. He seems genuinely sweet, is really a terrific cook and has great knife techniques, the camera loves him and that warm smile will melt your heart. I think if he had his own show, with directors, do overs if it fails, times to work on the food, it would be a wonderful and fun show to watch.
Also I forgot to mention - enough with the ‘IM KOREAN” = I don’t want a chef who only cooks one style.. Same went for Katie - too much health food talk and preaching, I’m glad she’s gone. Jamica is nice and seems to have a heart and cooks well, so that’s up for grabs. Melissa also is a good cook and has a nice personality, but she doesn’t grab me the way Jeffrey does.
To put all of this in perspective, I am a hobby gourmet cook, entertain a lot and get many ideas from FNW. I pick my shows very carefully and maniacal, over the top hosts will never get my attention.
Thank heaven Katie is on her way home. If I wanted to eat healthy, etc. I’d be watching some medical stuff on TLC or A&E or some other network, believe me. Nothing is worse than undercooked food! I get the feeling you guys have a warm and fuzzy spot for Melissa and I cannot figure out why. I’m truly sorry, but Melissa actually makes me squirm. She is so falsely sweet and fawning. I think her smile is fake and her “energy” is totally forced. She blabs about cooking for her kids as if she’s the only mother who has ever done that. And undercooked brussel sprouts for the kids because they crunch???? Pleeeeeze, give me a break!! She reminds me of the kind of “soccer mom” who smiles to your face and cuts you at the knees behind your back. She should have been gone one or two weeks ago. Rachael and Paula are two ladies on FN with real personality and bounce. Everything that comes out of Melissa’s mouth is just plain piffle. Though I can’t taste any of the food being prepared, it seems to me that Michael is the only remaining finalist with any real culinary skills…and maybe Jamika (I wish she had smacked Jeffrey in the back of the head and made him shut up last week). All I hear from Smooth Talker Saad (it’s like he’s trying to sell me snake oil) is “sweet and hot” and not too much more. He is boring, boring, boring…and a damned camera hog, to boot. Debbie can cook, but I just feel there is something missing there. I’m no big fan of Asian cuisine, but I’d love to learn abiut it. If Michael can only get his head together in front of the camera and put on a show, he is a total slam dunk. I’d watch him over and over!!!
This is to BJ re diversity. No one is saying we don’t want black, Asian, or diverse shows . We are saying enough is enough, lets have DIVERSITY for sure. We have Big Daddy, The Neeleys, Sunny Anderson’s Real Cooking, and many other diverse shows, as well as the southern over the top shows. If you want diversity, then let’s have more of different types, kinds of cooking, white, black, asian,mexican, polish, german and on an on - get it?
I am fascinated with everyones comments so far. I hope and pray that this contest does not have a “FIX” built in. I think the judges are very likable and honest. However, it does seem that Susie has a leg up due to her heritage. And yes Bobby Flay finally stated that on every appearance Susie must state that she is Korean! Her heritage statement is getting old. Finally, I think Michael has been the best all around contestant that can connect with the viewers.
Debbie does need to go. She will be like the Neeleys, which I never watch because Gina is so gitty and silly all the time and really can’t cook. Also Paula Deen, will you give her some language lessons. I’m tired of her y’all. Jeffrey seems ok but Melissa also has to go, I don’t think I could watch her. In a way, I like Jamika, she seems sincere and if given a chance, I think she will make it.
All I can say is that “this is a sorry lot” of contestants. At least in other seasons there were some that had some redeeming qualities and talents. This season is just soooo boring. Not one, save Michael, is worth watching. I also think you eliminated Teddy a bit too early. Debbie should have gone before Teddy.
My take? Jamika is not TV material, plus she served raw food two weeks in a row.
Debbie is just annoying to me. She can’t get over the fact that she is “Korean”. Give me a break…. She also has an attitude that would prevent me from ever watching a show of her’s.
Melissa is just too hyper. I need a drink, after watching her. Also, enough with the “Mom” bit. There are a lot of moms out here and we don’t have to announce it over and over.
Jeffery, I think he has a warm quality about him, although, I’m a bit tired of his “my daughter” recitations. I still think he is worth consideration.
Michael… I love him. I think that he would bring a fresh and new approach to the FN. He is always entertaining and funny, plus he makes good food. I can understand why the camera makes him nervous. Who doesn’t get a bit nervous even when their family is taking pictures? That is something that can be overcome. Remember the season that Guy and Reggie were in the finale? Guy just nailed it and I am glad, even though I voted for Reggie. Guy has a way with the camera and I am sure that he has learned a lot since being on the contest. And I recently saw Reggie on Paula’s show and his confidence has grown immensly.
All in all, I think that the only one’s that I would be interested in watching would be either Jeffery or Michael.
I agree with many of the other people’s comments, that DEBBIE NEEDS TO GO. When Jag was selected as winner, and later he ended up disqualifying himself because of a lie he told about his background, that fell under the heading of integrity!! What Debbie did the first episode at the store, and then later about the angel food cake, and other things, showed a definite lack of integrity. I personally like Jeffery, and would watch him if he wins. I really hope Debbie or Michael does not win, I won’t watch them. Michael makes me kinda ill to watch him, I agree he has no sense of hygiene, and he is more interested in being a comic than a cook.
I quit watching Iron Chef America because it seems pretty obvious to me that the Iron Chef almost always wins and the opponent hardly ever wins!!!! That seems fixed to me.
As for Paula Dean… I used to really enjoy watching her until she became more interested in flirting with and being on the edge of obscene with every male guest she has on her show, and well as the off color remarks she makes. This type of actions turns me off. I watch the Food Network to get away from all that crap. I agree she should go back to her original roots, just plain old good southern cooking. I enjoy the FN and even with the negative comments I have made it is still one of my favorite shows. I would like to see some of the recipes that Guy features on his DDD show posted on this web site.
I agree with your decision - A FN star cannot be serving RAW food. As for the format — I like it - The 3 judge system is fine. Viewer voting format is chaotic and often based on superficials — like clothing. Cooking and performance is the prime criteria for the FN. This is a great show; great format. And finally, I think Season 5’s competition is whittling the way it should - the strongest chefs are left; the question is now who can cook, perform and release their star quality.
Hi Susie,
I enjoyed watching the remaining 6 on Rachel Ray. I agree with the elimination of Katie, you got that right. Jamika messed up badly, but got lucky because there was still one more worse than her, but now it will be harder for everyone. My only complaint about yesterday’s episode is that in editing, I think they should have let the TV viewers see the entire 5 minutes for each team on Rachel Ray. I realize that that would be 15 minutes of air time, but possibly something else could’ve been cut. I felt that we missed out by only seeing about 2 minutes and there were times that the judges were all laughing and we really didn’t know why. I think that was an important part of the show and so much was cut out. I think Melissa will be in the final 2 because she seems to play her cards well, doing everything right. Not sure who will make it but I don’t see anyone totally outshining the rest this year. Last year was the same and Big Daddy seems to be doing well. I didn’t expect him to ever win, and I never expected his show to last, so good for him.
I’m sure that the winner has already been chosen. However, I hope that the winner is not
I’m sure that the winner has already been chosen. However, I hope it wasn’t Debbie that won. She ruined it for me the first night.
I’m sure that the winner has already been chosen. However, I certainly hope that it wasn’t Debbie. She ruined it for me the first week.
I really like Melissa. I think she’s learning to balance her energy and has demonstrated that she has depth and versatility. She has great stories that make her very relatable. Also, as a mom, I’d really appreciate it if they would do a show that highlights budget concious, family, fun, home-cooking, cooking with kids and even organization. I would watch Melissa. She has had consistantly good food, and experience cooking in our world.
We watch the NFS as a family every Sunday night and really enjoy it. Don’t change a thing. We also watch Iron Chef after. My kids want to know how come Mario Batalli is shown as an Iron Chef still when he hasn’t competed for two seasons. When it started he and Bobby Flay were chosen by the challengers most of the time. Why not take him off the introduction if he is no longer active? We as a family really liked him as well as all the Iron Chefs. We love your network! Keep up the good work, THX The Woodworths San Mateo, CA.
To Ken Johnson:
You’ve got a minor typo in your post. Susie isn’t Korean, Debbie is! Hasn’t she said it enough yet? LOL
I second your Michael nomination, though. Michael is truly having fun, as opposed to just being “perky.” (Bleah!) Go, Michael!
Although I love watching the show, I am not sure I would actually watch any of these contestents shows on the FN. It seems to me, the Next Food Network Star turns them into such baffoons, that I don’t think I would have the trust to actually eat what they cook. My confidence is already gone in each person’s abilities, after watching each little humiliating moment and dressing down from the judges.
My first comment is to agree with the person who said that Anne Burrell had a lot of nerve to say that about Melissa. I like the food that Anne cooks, but watching her (and listening to her) grates on my nerves!
I was glad that Katie was eliminated, because she wasn’t someone I could relate to, as are Michael and Debbie.
I do like Melissa and think with a little polish she would be as warm and welcoming as Rachel Ray (whom I adore!).
Jeffery does appear to have the qualities of a food network star. He seems to know what he is doing and has a warm personality.
Jamika might be worth keeping for now to see if she can show us the personality she displayed in the beginning.
I am a Food Network junkie, but there are a few shows I could live without. As I said, Anne Burrell drives me crazy - yuk! The Neely’s are o.k., but a little much to take. I want to see more shows like Rachel’s, Guy’s, Bobby’s, Paula’s, Giada’s, and Aaron’s.
The only one I do NOT like is Michael. I just don’t get this “charm” that he apparently has in real life.
I like all the rest of the contestants. I could really see Debbie or Melissa winning, in particular. I would learn to love about Korean cooking! And all different types of Asian cooking!
I agree, lobsters and blueberries in one dish is just unfair! Gag-o-lah!
R.RAY-too repetitive,telling the same stories over and over again, not funny @ all,not a chef - just a tv personality who got lucky,laughs too much and has awful voice and too fake appearing
SANDRA LEE-why does she extend every word she says - does she not have enough to talk about in the 30 minutes. ugh and that new show of her’s, yeah economy bad but i don’t need to know the cost per serving every other second
NEELY’s - GO GET A ROOM ALREADY! Has anyone at food network notice this lovey duvvyness has to go.
GUY - too much bling bling - little wacky
PAULA DEEN - just plain piggy. SHE EATS LIKE ONE. It is like she makes out with food and it is gross when all the chefs eat their food and talk exposing the viewers. Disgusting! And she isn’t the sweet ole’ southern woman you might think she is people. She is pretty bold with that tv she has/had or whatever. I could not believe some of the things she said to people and I think she got her hand slapped for it
GIADA - Good god girl, this is not the playboy network. Keep them girls in. She seems be a little “hoyty toyty” when watching her on certain shows and I surprised you had a baby. You don’t seem kid friendly - kind of snippy with them and some of your family.
ANNE BURELL - WACK JOB…THAT IS ALL I CAN SAY!
EMERIL - tolerable
POINT IS, WE NEED SOME NEW TALENT and not new people that mimic what we already have - which his not much. I like the idea more instruction type shows were viewers can learn. Alton Brown does it all the time. He is quirky but I like him. To me, these chefs are just tv personalities and are only showing how meals are prepared. I can open up a book and do that myself.
INA - no complaints. LOL - she has this nervious/giggle/laugh - funny
1 MORE THINGS, START SHOWING MORE SHOWS AND NOT THE SAME SHOW OVER AND OVER AGAIN. How many times do I need to see the same meatloaf made in a weeks time.
It was great to read all the postings as
many of the comments agreed with what I have been thinking about the show. I
would like to know what is the screening
process potential candidates go through
to be picked for the show ? Is the FN looking for just a “good personality”
and pretty face that they can train or really talented cooks that have alot to offer and teach. Is the economy that bad
that FN can only afford shows with inexperienced cooks and rejects from last
year. Do you actually check out the candidates credentials ? The show is very
dissapointing this year. If you feel you
want to produce a show with asian flare,
go hire a qualified asian chef. The FN
seems to be putting on alot of below
average shows that just fill time slots.
Please consider having more guest judges
instead of relying on Bob and Susie’s jaded opinions . Atleast Bobby Flay is right on about the contestant’s cooking skills. I am all for cultural diversity
and love to learn about all cultures
cooking styles, but not at the expense
of using poorly skilled, inexperienced
cooks. I really miss Emeril, Mario and
some of the other chefs you no longer
use….Stop focusing on marketing and
who is marketable for the FN and start
having programs that are actually informative .
I have to say I too agree with the decision to let Katie go; she made ME want to go eat ice cream and fudge, too. I think there is a way to make healthy food delicious, but a successful chef would make one want to hear more about it; harangues on whole wheat pasta when she turns out raw lamb, then raw turkey definitely make me draw away.
I like both Jeffrey and Jamika; somehow though, together, they were less than the sum of their parts as a team. Unfortunately, they were each so afraid of offending the other while shopping for their demo, they couldn’t be honest with each other and say “no, that sounds awful, what do you think about trying this, instead?” I do believe Jeffrey was not deliberately trying to shut Jamika out in the demo; It was bad enough that one of them was not talking or doing anything while the camera was rolling; two silent immobile contestants would have been an even worse disaster. I like Jamika’s voice and her manner, she strikes me as pleasant and friendly, and I’d love to try her food. Until this week, she seemed pretty confident and comfortable on film. If she wins, I’d probably watch her program.
I’d also watch Jeffrey; I like his low key but interested manner on camera, and I think he’s the best all-around cook in this field.I’d watch his program AND I’d eat his food. But come on–lobsters and blueberries in one dish? Julia Child herself would have thrown up her hands in despair!
I agree that Debbie needs to explain more about the significance of common ingredients in Korean cooking. I don’t know much about it, and I’d like to know more. She seems like a good person to do the teaching. I do admire Debbie’s on-camera poise–that’s an important thing for someone with their own cooking show. She seemed very calm and confident, able to cook, and not at all bothered by having five cameras aimed right at her.
As someone who would look at a TV camera like the business end of a firing squad, I admire anyone who can be even close to natural on camera. One of my favorite shows on Food Network is Barefoot Contessa because Ina appears very confident and relaxed as she cooks. Debbie has something of that same quality. But boy if she wins… she REALLY needs to learn how to make desserts without store-bought angelfood cakes or pudding!
I would watch Michael on TV if he wins, also. I find him funny, and his food looks delicious. I was salivating for that Italian style hamburger. I think he might want to dial back the clown just a little and just let it pop out now and then. Kudos to him for overcoming his camera nerves in the cooking demonstration at which point he became fun to watch. He just needed to do it four minutes and fifty seconds earlier.
Melissa has had the last laugh on Brett, Teddy and Eddie who all seemed to look down on her, or hassled her for not being “a professional.” THEY all fell by the wayside while she’s still in the game! Hurrah! Maybe the guys should have remembered that Julia Child, one of the pioneers of TV cooking, was never a professional restauranteuse or chef–she learned to cook through years of her own hard work. Never underestimate sweat equity. I like Melissa’s on Camera personality, but I don’t know if I’d watch her on TV solo week after week.
The On-Camera personalities I like in order of preference:
Jeffrey
Jamika
Melissa
Debbie
Michael
The ones whose food I’d love to eat:
Jeffrey
Michael
Jamika
Debbie
Melissa
(You’ve sent the ones who made me cringe home, already. Katie made ME want to go eat ice cream and fudge, too.) As someone who would view a TV camera like the business end of a firing squad, I really admire anyone who can be remotely natural or relaxed on camera. Ina Garten is one of my favorite Food Network cooks, because she projects calm confidence in front of the camera, and also clearly loves what she’s making. So despite my issues with Debbie’s honesty, and her failure to provide her team members with the ingredients they needed in the first episode, I understand why she’s stayed so far; she’s got some of that same comfort and confidence on screen. You have to have that if you’re going to be on TV every week. Jeffrey is also good, in this respect.
I’m glad Melissa, the mother and home cook, got the last laugh over Brett, Teddy and Eddie; they all fell by the wayside while she’s still in the game. Julia Child was never a professional caterer or restauranteur, herself. Yet she was one of the pioneers of TV cooking shows. Never write off sweat equity!
I agree “Go Michael” he is genuine and cooking is definitely second nature to him. I would trust his recipes and watch his cooking show. I dislike Melissa’s playing at being an expert on knowing what children like to eat; thus her tips. Her children are only 3,2,1 which means they eat mostly junior toddler food! She is a strange stay-at-home mom who has traveled the world, Paris,Turkey where ever. Is this the average type mom? Plus not knowing about the heat of peppers, while being from Texas, seems a bit staged on her part or phony!
More than once you or one of the other judges has commented that Michael is fun or has a great personality, etc.,etc. But I as a viewer have seen no evidence of that. I just don’t see his appeal and it’s frustrating that he does not work to improve his on-camera presentations. Week after week he fumbles around in his demos. Realistically, presentation is the most important element since viewers will never taste any of these folks food so after the first time contestants are criticized on presentation, they should be polishing their act. So the question is: is Michael a slow learner or what does he think makes him deserving of continuing in the contest?
The judges, especially Susie, keep making such a big deal about the contestants talking about personal things and telling people more about themselves. I totally disagree. When I watch a cooking show, I could care less about their personal lives. I want to watch and listen to how they are preparing the food. I want to see them being servious, but having fun doing it. They should have a good, entertaining personality and be able to speak well and, of course, have a good knowledge of their style of food. It’s not bad to share if it comes naturally and is part of their personality, but they have enough problems with rediculous time restraints and ingredients and failing equipment. I don’t care where they went to school.
I vote to NOT vote for The Next Food Network Star. As I’m sure everyone from Food Network will agree, this isn’t American Idol. It’s like what you guys said in the first episode, The Next Food Network Star will represent Food Network, not the American people. Therefore, we, as viewers, should not get to decide who gets the job and who does not. The winner will be employed by Food Network, so, in effect, this is just one giant job interview. Only the interviewers and management should make hiring decisions. Please don’t let this turn into a popularity contest. We don’t see everything that goes on, and we don’t know the contestants the way you guys know them. I trust Food Network will choose the right person for the job. Thank you.
Please don’t tell me that the winner has already been picked and our comments don’t mean anything, it would be disappointing to find out that the contestant that so many people have said they dislike for her dishonesty (Debbie) is picked, non the less.
My favorite is Jeffrey and Malisa. I do think that Michael’s food sounds interesting but why doesn’t someone tell him that running his hands through his hair is a no no while preparing food, ugh! Cleanliness while preparing food should be taught just like washing your hands after handling meats…basic. I wouldn’t eat at a restaurant if I saw the chef with unhealthy gestures preparing my meal.
Susie
I would love to join you as a judge of the food that the new contesants are cooking . Raw food no, over seasoned or underseasoned food can be bad also.
Right from the start I found Jeffery and Tamika to be the most appealing.
I like that Melissa is a stay-at-home mom but her grin gives my family and I the creeps. I liked Katie’s health approach because that’s what I’m always looking for but her deer-caught-in-headlights experession and crying were intolerable. Michael can be fun but I really don’t care to watch him cook. Debbie shot herself in the foot in the 1st episode when she was eager to be a team leader then chose the store bought dessert.
It was time for Katie to go. Her bug-eyed, over-excited deliver was like a preschool teacher….really annoying. I felt sorry for Jamika - she really just needed to jump in and start a demonstration. Jeffrey wasn’t “hogging” the time, he was filling it because she wasn’t helping. I like them both and hope they stay to the end. I can’t stand Debbie and I really hope she goes soon. She is a pain! Yes, she did seem very comfortable on the Rachael Ray demo, but she would be the classic diva witch behind the scenes. I’d never watch her week after week.
Doris @ 4:01pm
Sad to say, but the episodes have already been taped. In the past they did have a live finale where the winner was announced though. This season is just looking so much like last season where the judges wanted Aaron to win so much that they changed the rules to allow 3 contestants to proceed to the finals instead of 2 like in past seasons. This season it looks like they are favoring Debbie (did you know she’s Korean?) to win. As a matter of fact, there is a magazine article posted on the Internet where Debbie says something to the effect of ‘the folks at the network are always telling me that I sure do like to use sesame oil’. That’s not a direct quote because I just got home from work and don’t want to look up the article. The magazine was something like East West Life Style magazine.
By the way, is Debbie Korean? Is Melissa a Mommy? LOL Where do they get these contestants?????? Maybe at ” Chefs ‘R Us”!!!!
I watch Food Network religiously, but will not watch it if
Debbie wins. She lacks integrity and personality….seems to have an attitude. She has put several contestants in awkward situations because of decisions she has made and I thought she should be cut since day 1 after the deceptive way she handled her team in the first episode-that Angel Food Cake thing was all her own doing. I see right through her manipulations and am surprised that the judges have kept her and can’t see through her bull.
On a lighter note, 3 contestants do really shine that I would love to see continue:
Michael-So funny and fun to watch. Just needs a few tips on how to handle behind on camera and he will be good to go.
Jeffery-Smooth delivery on camera and appealing to watch. You feel at ease and like you could really make what he is making.
Melissa-A joy to watch. She has a sense of warmth on camera and is very upbeat. I love her kid tips as I need as many tips as I can get when it comes to kids.
Have to agree with many others here, it’s between Jeff, Jamika or Melissa. It’s unfortunate that cooking skill and food knowledge, don’t seem to be prime requirements for the winner. Personally, I don’t need to know every personal thing about the cook, just what they can teach me. As for Debbie, sorry, her conduct in episode one was unforgivable.
Can’t take a minute more of Debbie. What is good about her? Ugly, dishonest, bad food, etc. She is Korean, so what? Michael plays up the gay-ness way too much. You shouldn’t have to state what you are; it should become you. Jamika is pretty, but boring. Jeffrey & Melissa are both contendors… interesting, fun & approachable. Hope the winner is one of them.
P.S. For the record, I love Adam. He is a hoot to watch and brings something fresh to the network.
Everyone should remember that the selection process is as much about on-screen presence as it is about cooking expertise. If you look at all of the contestants that have been eliminated thus far, none of them possessed really engaging camera presence or presentation skills. The remaining finalists, while certainly with faults (either cooking expertise or otherwise) have much better camera presence. A TV personality has to be entertaining above all else, but in this case they also have to know how to cook well. Based on all of the above, I think the winner will be either Melissa, Debbie, or Jeffery. If forced to choose one at this point, I think it will be Melissa.
I would also like to address some of the comments regarding “Big Daddy”, the Neely’s, and Debbie. Many of the comments are so strident and insulting (with thinly veiled slurs) that I’m left wondering whether the posters have more of a problem with who these people are, then what they say or do on the Food Network. Quite revealing I’d say.
Let us cut to the chase…you’ll never find another Ina. She embodies all that there is to Food Network, and I watch her at every opportunity. The twinkle in her eyes tells us that she truly loves what she does, is able to show us how to do what she does, and makes us want to come back for more. Quite simply, a star!
Debbie with her angel food cake, her sabotage of other oontestants with their required ingredients, and her whining absolutely drives me to distraction. Melissa drips with “mommy” demeanor, and appears to be highly disorganized. Michael makes a better comedian than a chef. My favorites are Jeffrey and Jamika. Both are soft-spoken and sincere, and both leave the viewer with the suspicion that there is more than meets the eye. Rock On, both of you!
I realize that you probably have the winner and now we are getting the rationalizing stage. Honestly Melissa is a home cook and we don’t need any more of those on the food network. Debbie hasn’t really cooked anything that people raved over and she has shown a conniving and self-serving personality; the Seoul to Soul is not original! Jeffrey is smooth but somewhat inconsistent and seems to have lost his edge. Jamika is losing her energy. Micheal is the only one with ENERGY and the culinary education and expertise.
The FN is losing a core fan base by not putting the food first. Bobby, Ina, Giada are all personable but were not the best when they started. It had to be cultivated! The FN production of this show is flawed and therefore does not end with the best candidate.
Rushed situations, faulty equipment, relying on other contestants for your ingredients, different ingredients, etc. do not create a fair playing field. Would BF, Giada etc. put up with this? And tell me this, why at the FN do they lack ingredients and have faulty equipment anyway? Isn’t this checked before the contestants arrive?
Re: Lobster and Boo-Berries,
I Personally I would have roasted the Lobster, some veggies and used the Blueberries & Chipotle as a salsa for the dish. Although the Pot Pie was a great idea, why didn’t Jeffrey cut individual puff pastry tops and bake those? He could have plated the lobster/blueberry- chipotle bechamel in the bowls he ended up using and just topped it with the individual baked puff pastry rounds.
I know the winner is already picked and waiting to start their show, while we squirm to see who it is! I hope it’s not Debbie, the liar. I think Jeffrey is the best but was surprised when he didn’t circle Jamika in, he would have scored more points from me for that. Melissa is good if she can just tone down the cloying eagerness and startling smile. Michael is not a clean chef, I couldn’t watch that at all.
Love Ina, BF, MC. Going off Giada (bossy). Paula Dean is just about as low class as you can get and I never watch her now. Would love to have higher quality chefs on the screen, like Ming, Julia, Ina, etc. Today’s collection doesn’t seem to be of the same ilk. BTW, who was the young Asian woman who ‘helped’ Bobby in one of his grill programs in the back yard in NYC? Now she would make a fabulous addition to FN.
After watching the show since the beginning I thought I was the only one that decided that if Debbie won I would not watch her show, the judges just fawn over her and i don’t understand it. This is an interesting season cause it seems the best cooks are gone and none of the people have big personalities like last season, Adam, Big Daddy, ect. I’m rooting for Melissa, she works harder than anyone and doesn’t seem to get the support of the others.
Lobster and Blueberries… everyone seems to be making a big deal out of that… There are sooooo many ways that I have thought of to use them and I am just a home “Chef-want-a-be.” Sure! Sure! He had a faulty kitchen, but who hasn’t had some disadvantage of some sort or another. That’s what this “game” is all about! This is just a FN “Survivor” if you will. Please! Kudos to Melissa! She has hung in there and given the other more experienced chefs a run for their money. Considering her background, she has been extremely creative and she is just a likeable kind of gal.
As far as Debbie goes, I am really over the “Asian card” she keeps intentionally playing. We know your Korean, (you are Korean, right?) But sweetie, there’s a lot more to this than just what background you’re from.
Michael.. tone it down… I think its apparent that he has creativity in the kitchen… no doubt about it, but he is now coming off as just silly and not fun to watch. Actually, I roll my eyes when he starts that silly stuff.
Jeffrey… I think he is actually doing well, he just had a bad week for whatever reason and couldn’t think on his feet so well, but really if he had his own show he would not have half of those pressures.And he has a great camera/on stage presence.
Thank you for cutting Katie and Teddy… Katie couldn’t cook ( I agree with the previous “closet vegan” comment) and Who could trust Teddy. Way too arrogant for my taste at least.
Thanks again for letting us vent!
I love the show but do agree with others: they are put into situations that current Food Network chefs would never deal with. For example, a 20 minute challenge from start to finish? Plus preparing a camera shot to boot? Come on….the other chefs have their scripts ready to read and all!
Debbie & her bottle of soy sauce have to go. It is difficult to understand why a food network would be more interested in a cook who constantly uses a high sodium product such as soy sauce instead of the healthy receipes that katie prepared!! You have any idea how many people are really intersted in healthy cooking? But now that Katie is gone, one can
only hope that you see the positive personality & the love for cooking that Melissa has!!
Oh Happiness and Joy! The mailman brought me two of Ina’s cook books and the August/September Food Network Magazine! Only one cloud in my sky, as I flipped thru the magazine I am sure I saw Debbie peeking out from the pages. Bummer!
Hey linda in nm –Stop it with these type of RACIST comments of NO more southern-style black carribean chefs and repeating this atmosphere with the affirmation of nixing the Neelys. This was offensive to me and probably others visiting the website. Let’s post something worthwhile on the subject and respect Food Network’s desicions on maintaining a DIVERSE experience of food and ways to cook it.
Because, you know, she’s Korean.
Stranman-I personally haven’t felt any biogtry or bias in the comments. Michael is proud to be gay and and I for one, commend anyone who is comfortable in their skin. Same for Debbie who seems very proud of her heritage. But being proud of who you are does not make Michael any more concious of hygiene (he is constantly running his fingers through his hair and whether or not he is washing his hands frequently, it is totally unappealing to a consumer) nor does it make Debbie any more trustworthy (she has cheated and lied so many times). I think that Janika and Jeffrey can cook well, are team players and seem like genuinely nice people. (Sorry, but Melissa is too sugary for my taste-pun intended
Jeanne
Elaine-I totally agree with you about Debbie and her soy sauce. It is her favorite ingredient, constantly, and as an RN, I can assure you that too much sodium is unhealthy on many levels. I am having some trouble with comments about Melissa not being a pro and being a “home cook”. From what I have read, Jeffrey (my favorite so far) owns a real estate firm. He is not a pro, either…….Jeanne
I don’t think Melissa should win. I think that she is a phony and makes me feel like I am having an epileptic seizure when I watch her cook and listen to her talk. I was sick of Katie talking healthy, healthy, healthy. Michael hates the camera and is afriad of it. Jeffrey is very confident in front of the camera, as is Debbie, but he was very rude to Jamika last week and I am tired of Debbie telling everyonw she is Koren. We get it. I feel the winner is between Debbie and Jamika.
First, I love the Food Network, and could watch it 24 hrs a day, if my husband would tolerate it. I love most of the stars who have been on the Network for a long time, and I love some of the new ones. I’m sorry to tell some of you, I love Anne Burrell. She is a hoot, who knows how to cook, knows how to show you what she does, in a non intimidating way, and clearly loves food! Sunny is ok, but, sometimes she gets a little much for me. Aida is ok, but a bit boring sometimes, and Aaron
McCargo, Jr, has gotten so much better than he was on the NFWS. And, I really like the Neely’s. I think they genuinely love each other, and it is so refreshing to see a show with a couple who does love one another, as opposed to the shows that have couples airing dirty laundry, and fighting.
While I do love Ms Paula, I have to agree with the person that posted that she needs to go back to her roots. I met her before, and it was when she was a bit more subdued than she is now, and she was lovely. I think that sometimes she is a bit too raucus for food, and doesn’t always seem to speak to her hubby terribly sweet, but, I think that has improved. (on one show he asked her, “Don’t you love me anymore?”..it almost broke my heart, but, it was moved on from quickly).
I think the NFNS this year has been a bit more challenging than usual, and it appears that the “cream is rising to the top”, as the numbers wind down to the finale. I personally think that Jeffery, Jamika and Melissa each could do an interesting show, each in their own rights. I think Michael knows his stuff, but, just needs to dial it back a bit, and Debbie has a natural tv presence…but, just needs to broaden her outlook on the “Korean” issue…I’m Scotch, Irish, English and Dutch…but, I don’t tell everyone that every time I make something from somewhere in my cultural background. Oh, and by the way, I am a personal chef and baker, and half Southern, so, I actually can speak from experience on some of these issues. My Southern relatives do say “give me some sugar” on occasion, so you go girl to Gina Neely. :-))
I forgot one thing….I absolutely love Ina Garten…she is my total fave!
It was about time someone mentioned the Korean intro for each challenge. Enough! While Debbie has charisma - so do most con artists. She does not seem real and trustworthy. Susie, your video comments regarding your knowledge of her lies, yet she’s intrigueing does not merit her continuation towards the “prize”. Ethics is huge - if one can not be trusted, one can not achieve.
I do agree with a number of the comments posted here (and disagree with others). It is tiring to see the same few episodes of “Triple D” repeated over and over-and I like the show. We need more variety/longer seasons.
However, I think shows like FN Challenge and Ace of Cakes are a nice mix.
Regarding the diversity of shows issue-I love Paula, I love the food the Neely’s cook (but can’t stand them), and the show featuring latin american food is also great-but the network is not diverse if it is really just featuring those few cuisines. I would love to see foods of other cultures and regions of the country explored-we aren’t even tapping into a fraction of it-french, eastern european, ASIAN!!!, southwestern/texmex etc etc. It does seem as though FN is stuck in a bit of a rut with styles.
I too am really missing Mario and think that his show was really wonderful-Italian cooking that was homey, flavorful and had a touch of elegance. I also think that you lost some credibility when Sara Moulton went off the air-she had it all-cooking chops, ability to teach, a great personality, flair etc. And we are left with the anti-sara in Sandra Lee. Please pay me to take store bought pound cake, cool whip and fudge sauce and turn it into “an elegant dessert.” Why the heck do I need to watch a show for that?!?! I am all for helping the beginning cook or the cook on the go and as a more seasoned cook I have learned a great deal from those shows as well, but Sandra Lee is really bottom of the barrel.
Would love some info on what happened to Mario.
Regarding NFNS-I think Jeffery has the chops and hope Michael falls in love with the camera. Melissa isn’t going to teach me anything new or give me a fresh perspective-just another version of Sandra Lee….
I LOVE WATCHING THE FOOD NETWORK, ALTHOUGH MY SCHEDULE DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO WATCH IT FAITHFULLY. I RECORD THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR AND WATCH IT LATER IN THE WEEK. I MUST SAY I KNOW IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DECIDE WHO STAYS AND WHO GOES WEEKLY. SO FAR, THE 2 WHO IMPRESSESS ME THE MOST IS JEFFREY AND MELISSA. DEBBIE HAS DISAPPOINTED TO FROM SHOW 1 WHEN SHE JEAPORDIZED EVERYONE ELSE’S DISHES AND MADE SURE SHE HAD EXACTLY WHAT SHE NEEDED FOR HER CRAB CAKES. THE DESSERT, HER IDEA, I COULDN’T BELIEVE SOMEONE WOULD STOOP THAT LOW. NOT ONLY DID SHE SCREW THAT UP BUT IN LATER EPISODES SHE DID AS WELL. HOW MANY TIMES CAN 1 PERSON SAY, “I AM KOREAN” ON NATIONAL TELEVISON? JAMIKA, HAS A LOVELY PERSONALITY; HOWEVER, I FEEL SHE DOES NOT FEEL LIKE SHE CAN BE HERSELF IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA OR WHEN SHE WORKED WITH JEFFERY THIS WEEK. THE 2 DIDN’T SEE EYE TO EYE. I HAVE TO GIVE THEM CREDIT; THEY TRIED TO MAKE IT WORK ANYWAY. I DID NOT ENJOY WATCHING KATIE EITHER. I COULDN’T BELIEVE SHE WOULD SERVE RAW MEAT, TWICE. MICHEAL MAKES ME LAUGH AND I KNOW HE CAN COOK, BUT AS HE SAID, THE CAMERA IS LIKE THE PIT OF HELL, HE SHOWS IT AND JUST FALLS APART. BUMMER. I MUST SAY, I HAVE BEEN DISAPOINTED WITH THIS CHALLENGE. THE QUARLING THAT HAS GONE ON AND THE CHILDISH BEHAVIOR HAS FLOORED ME. EVERYONE IS SUPPOSE TO BE PROFFESSIONAL ADULTS WHILE MANY BEHAVED LIKE CHILDREN. IF I WANTED TO WATCH THAT I WOULD WATCH MY CHILDREN QUARLING INSTEAD OF STOPPING THEM. DEBBIE SHOULD HAVE GONE LONG AGO. SHE IS OUT FOR HERSELF AND NOT THERE AS A TEAM MEMBER. SORRY.
I’m tired of hearing the judges say that the contestants have to talk about their families. Have you ever heard Bobby Flay, who I do like, talk about his family? What about Alton Brown? It is the cooking and the committment.
Debbie is a liar and a cheat, not buying her competitors ingredients. I agree with the others who pointed out that she was hit only because she walked up behind Michael and did not tell him she was there. Then she went through that really phony act, icing her cheek and saying it was too hard to finish well after being hit. Her food was cooked. I’m convinced she wanted to ruin Michael’s food.
I think the judges were told she needs to win.
I like Michael but think Melissa should win at this point. She cooks. Her hints are helpful. Her smile makes me smile because she is enjoying herself.
Jeffrey, Michael, Jamika, Melissa, in that order. I also, do not understand for the life of me, WHY Debbie continues on. Her true colors were MOST evident in episode one. She dishonest, manipulative and the “Korean” thing has gotten very old, fast. I thought “integrity” was important in our Next Food Network Star? If so, Debbie needs to go, fast.
I would think that with the blueberries and Lobster you could think out side the box and make a blueberry chutney and make a curry out of fried lobster and a side of white rice. I don;t know that’s just me i guess. Anyways, I want to know why are you judges so hard on Jeffrey? He’s an amazing cook and while he is privy about his life, he seems like he can step up to the plate and make an amazign show. what he did on Rachel Ray i guess any one would do. Jamika was just sitting there like “Oh poor, poor me” and did nothing. Honestly he did nothing wrong. It was poor judgement to be sure. I want to know since michael is like Camera-phobic, why is it y’all can film him for the actual show and he’s not spazing out like in front of Rachel Ray challenges and all the other ones?
The show is fine I enjoy watching it. One of the contestant should have been bold enought to say that there was a faulty equipment. As soon as he or she found out. or it should have been tested before the competition.
Debbie has to go! She is so underhanded and sneaky. I definitely won’t watch her and I’m afraid the judges had her picked from the beginning and I don’t know why!
I really like Melissa, she seems down to earth and like she has a lot of good knowledge to share. I think she will calm down a little when she is not doing timed challenges and things of that sort. I mean these are stressful situations and enough to make anyone talk a little fast while trying to explain how to do an entire dish in 2 minutes or so. I think if she had her own show a lot of people would be able to relate to her and use her knowledge to make good home-cooked meals. Something that would impress guests but isn’t going to take a degree from the CIA to make at home.
I have to agree with the comments about the obsession on telling personal stories. I watch food network all the time and have my favorite cooks and comparing what they do now as stars and what is required of the current contestants sometimes is contradicting. RR is one of my fav people on FN but if you watch 30MM, she doesn’t say much about herself and sometimes has long pauses and moments of silence, and not to mention that she’s engaged in the cooking and doesn’t look up too much. But what she does have is a personality we have grown to love, something that appeals to the viewer which is quick cooking and she is knowledgable. I don’t know much about her personal life and it doesn’t stop me from watching.
And to talk about quickly about Debbie.. I can see why the judges are so infatuated, but I hope that goes away soon!! I really like Melissa, and I think Jeffrey has SO much star potential. He’s oddly attractive for an older guy (im only 20) as well haha. Poor Jimika she’s lacking, but I truly hope they don’t make a mistake by picking Debbie as the winner!
susie, please let debbie go, YOU FINALLY ADMIT IT SHE’S YOUR FAVORITE AND YOU EVEN SAID YOU ARE A FAN OF HER …PLEASE DON’T BE TOO PERSONAL AND DEAF AND BLIND…LET THE VIEWERS DECIDE TOO
to wisconsin granny, what do you mean debbie was in the pages of food network magazine, do you mean she’s a winner? oh my i hate that, please explain, thanks
I had to go back to work so don’t get as many opportunities to watch your day time programs. I sure wish that you had less “competition” type shows on in the evening and more cooking shows. Thank God for Alton Brown’s programs. Do you think you might incorporate a few more of your chef’s cooking shows into your evening programing? Please! Thanks. Midge
Debbie was in the pages of the new issue announcing that she is opening a restaurant. If she is opening a restaurant it seems that she is not the next star. Would she have time for both?
Jeanne 7/7 @ 8:49 says By the way, is Debbie Korean? Is Melissa a Mommy? LOL Where do they get these contestants????? Maybe at “Chefs ‘R Us”!!!!
Thanks, Jeanne, for the great, great Posting! What are we going to do for laughs after the winner is announced? Well, there are always Sandra’s Tacky Tables and the Neeleys playing Grab —. BTW, I am continually impressed by the folks at FN, there truly is someone and something for everyone, a really great variety of personalities and foods. Thanks.
Coleen, it just said that Debbie’s restaurant would be opening in the future and then referenced those two items. Yuck!
Aren’t judges suppposed to be impartial? Your comment to Debbie that you were her “fan” was very unprofessional, especially in front of the other contestants! Unfortunately, statements like that only confirm what most posters believe–Debbie is the preselected winner.
If the posters hate all of the contestants & the present FN shows, why do they continue to watch them? People, stop being so critical & bigoted!
I want to see Jamika leave, her dishes look tasteless.
So many people are bashing Debbie for getting hit with the tray and saying she played it up but what you are forgetting is that that tray was coming out of the oven. So it was going to bruise and burn. It was her fault for not announcing that she was behind him but I don’t think she played it up. She didn’t even mention it to the judges they brought it up. I wish she could have pulled out a little better in that competition but I was impressed that she was able to finish at all.
but I don’t think she played it up.
Megan Reid on July 9, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Sure she did. When the judges said something about her chicken not tasting good she said something like she was at a disadvantage insinuating it was because of the injury.
I agree, Debbie needs to go. Learning her cooking style would be nice, but her self consummed personality I wouldn’t watch.
I don’t get the comments posted here about the judges/show being “mean spirited.” I can tell by watching you guys that you take great care in delivering bad news as delicately as possible, although sometimes you just have to be blunt. These are grown-up contestants trying to beat each other out for a job. I think they can handle a little criticism. That’s life. In my opinion, Susie, Bob, and Bobby seem like three of the NICEST people I’d ever want to meet and I would be THRILLED to hear their constructive criticism on my cooking or anything else. They are clearly qualified to be judges and I can’t imagine how great it would be to have the opportunity to work with/for them for any length of time!
Get a clue this week and let Michael go! Then Debbie! These two are an insult to the Culinary Arts!!!!!!
I watch Food Network with my sister, Sue (she has cable; I don’t). I’m not a cook (Sue is), but I love watching esp. Next Food Network Star. I watched last season for the first time, and it seems this season that the contestants are more combative with each other. Maybe I don’t recall that from last season, but as others have said, I don’t think any of the ones this year really stand out. Sue and I like Jeffrey the most — at least for now.
OMG!!! I just rewatched (is that a word?) Jeffrey and Jamika on the RR show at HER website. RR show dot com – spell out her name. There is so much difference between what actually happened and what we were shown on FN! There is NO way that Jeffrey stepped over Jamika. She was an active participant and really chimed in. It is a shame that FN is obviously editing these episodes for their own choice of winner. So sad that the truth is not shown and a real eye-opener for me. Bob, Susie and even Bobby to a bit lesser degree are playing right along with the obvious lies. They must think their viewers are idiots. I expected more, but apparently was naïve. I think Bob was the worst. They were all sitting there and watching live and did not accurately reflect what actually happened. I am so disappointed.
Well we will know in the morning how Susie feels about last weeks show when she answers some of the posts from this week.
Susie you really need to address the info thats come out this week about Debbie the East West Mags web site on her Bio, the article in the network mag.
As Far as her opening a restaurant and either being the winner or not has nothing to do with each other, some of the hosts only do there shows and then have the rest of the year for other interests.
Okay, it really BOTHERS me that people are still “Dissing” Melissa…..as a “mommy” “housewife” etc etc. I was one of those for a LONG time..I’m still a mom although I now have returned to a professional career. Melissa ROCKS….she’s smart, cute and has some really GOOD cooking chops. It bothers me that apparently a lot of you feel this has turned into a “culinary school-trained chef contest”, since some of the folks I enjoy watching most on FN ( Paulam Deen, Ina Garten) also do not have that particular pedigree. At this point, Melissa and Jeffrey are the only two finalists whose shows I would watch! Maybe Michael…but honestly, I don’t think he’d be making much stuff that *I* would be making for a daily meal.
Melissa is by far my favorite, the girl next door. I like her personality. I also think you all do not like Jeffery, but I like him, much better than Debbie and certainly better than Michael, whom I would NEVER watch.
Why is it every episode since NFNS has been on, Bob and Susie seem really negative and usually end up being the reason I don’t like watching the show all of the time (how often do you see them smile?). They even mention that Katie is actually improving. all the while micheal and Jamika are getting worse. Bobby and the kids really thought Katie did well, but I guess if your audience was supposed to be kids you shouldn’t entertaining them (according to Bob and Susie). Micheal should have went home. Oh and if I hear Debbie say that she is Korean one more time I will scream. Doesn’t she realize we all can see that she is Korean?
I’m a HUGE fan of this show and it seems that from the very beginning you can tell who will make it to the finals. I am so glad that you got rid of Bret, Eddie and Terry. They actually made me rather ill seeing how they were such whiney poor sports. I mean these guys were CHEFS. I would be so embarrassed to go back and face the people that I had to work with after they came off looking like a bunch of whining losers. My vote’s for either Debbie, Jamika or Jeffrey.
After reading these responses, I went to Rachel Ray’s website and viewed all three complete “Five Minute Competitions” of the three teams, and I am stunned at the negative and dishonest editing done for the show. I can see where the show is going, and if it ends up the way it appears to be going, I will no longer be a Food Network viewer, which means I will be watching on two stations: HGTV and Fox Cable News as the nothing else is worth watching on the tube. I trusted Food Network and it looks like my trust was misplaced.
Ultimately, we the viewers decide the winner by whose show we would watch. I would never watch Michael (Not Because He’s Gay) but because he does not appeal to me. I find Debbie very unlikeable because of her bad choices in the first episode. For me Jeffery, Melissa and Jameka are more appealing, interesting and have better stage presence. I want to strongly disagree with those people critical of Sandra Lee. She is an inspiration and a wonderful role model. I love her new show and think that in these economic times nothing could be more helpful than providing delicious cheap eats for the family. I admire her thorough research of the cheapest way to buy ingredients. She’s amazing!
Arlene, I would hope that everyone would strive to be “above” Debbie, she consistently displays her lack of integrity, character, and sense of ownership. i don’t know how you were raised, but I have always been raised, and continue to raise my own children to first and foremost conduct ourselves with integrity and honesty. I would never watch any show that Debbie hosted. For that matter I would never watch one of Michael’s shows either. He seems fake, over the top and dirty to me. I don’t care how good his food his, one thing I know is that presentation can make or break you and or food, and if you can’t even present yourself in a manner that doesn’t make people sick to their stomach’s just by looking at you, then there is no way you are going to be able to sell people on your food. My husband won’t even watch the show until Michael is gone. As far as who I like, I love Jeffrey and Jamika, as Bobby put it, Jeffrey makes me hungry every time I watch him, and Jamika just has the sweetest, down to earth honest personality.
I agree that I wish Debbie would stop saying she is Korean!
Susie, give us a break! You are so mean! Bobby is the only one out of the three of you that really knows how to cook. Everywhere he goes, people agree that he knows what he’s talking about and is a gentleman. Susie, you do not appear as a cooking judge but rather like you belong on next top model. Who do you think you are anyway? And Bob what makes you feel like to can address Bobby’s opinion as if he doesn’t realize what he’s talking about. I’ve never seen you judged, but one that judges on different things. Try cooking before you run you mouth! Katie was good this last time and I hope she does remain true to herself. And all you nay sayers, there will come a day when your eatting habits leave you in a hospital bed and you remember Katie. You have Paula who loves her butter (and I love Paula) but so unhealthy and Rachel with her 30 minute meals (she is getting a little more health conscious) But none of these people take cooking to the health level as Katie did. She is giving us the best taste for the best health. Keep trying Katie. There are some that love and want you and some that don’t….but we all need you.
Am I the only one who thinks the gay guy (can’t think of his name now - it’s 5:00 am and have insomnia) is gross with his constant touching of his face and hair? His methods just do not seem sanitary and I would not want to watch that as he’s cooking.
I agree that Debbie has a good on camera persona but I am so tired of I’m Korean, and really think she has some integrity issues,Michael is likeable but also agree he needs to to be less greasy looking. I have not watched all of the Rachel Ray Show but will shortly. Look foreward to watching Sunday
If .Debbie Jeffery micheal or Melissa wins I wont watch them either.Please tell the Neelys that they are on a food channel not a soap opera. I know you all have a hard decision to make heck send them all home and start over Barbara
Why was Debbie not sent home on Episode 1 for her dishonesty and lack of integrity? Knowing what I know, I would NOT watch her show. She has nothing to teach me. My vote is for Jamika. She has not been given the opportunity to show her culinary point of view, and she is much too polite to insist.
Debbie shoud have helped the others. She was selfish. Michael doen`t like the camera, that is important if they are going to be the next foodnetwork star.
One all American dish with lobster and blueberries that would have been very simple to cook even with a faulty stove is chilled lobster cocktail using the cooked blueberries as a sweeting component of the cocktail sauce. He could have plated it up with a white horseradish sauce and some fresh blueberries to make the dish patriotic as well. Where Jeffry came up with pot pie with blueberries in it I do not know. That does not even sound appealing. He as a cook is uninspiring and about as much fun to watch as dirt. He comes across as very disingenuous and smarmy.
My comment is,Is more of a question to you, Now that it is getting closer to choosing a winner, and as I look at the votes for the fan fav’s ..I recall last year the fan fav getting booted off! My question is: Would it not be something that the network looks at choosing the fav to win since we are the one’s that are tuning into watch the show? I would totally watch Melissa so I am glad she is doing well. Last year I loved Kelsy and Lisa and was sad to see them lose. The year before same it seemed the fan fav did not win!
Susan - what happened to my response from last week? I did by the way vote off Michael last week and I really did like him, but as entertaining as he can be, he could not get use to the camera.
Debbie is not a team player; does that matter for a star? I believe her kind of attitude spoils her chance of being a really good star of anything. My dad taught me you can get to the top by climbing on everyone else or by being pushed up by those you work with — he said the trip back down is better if you take the latter approach!
A little disappointed about the tools that the contestants are given - or not given. Faulty stoves, Michael did not have access to a shucker for the oysters and was noted saying that the knife for the salmon was not great - I suppose meaning that it was not sharp.
I understand Michael being eliminated, but I would have eliminated Debbie first, for her role in the failure of the party, It was a “Team” compitition,
A Couple of things:
Why, during a team challenge, where teamwork was an integral part of success, did the person who showed the least effective team working skills not get eliminated? As a chef/caterer with over 20 years experience, I know that when people are hungry after the first hour of a cocktail party, the kitchen is not doing it’s job. Unspoken teamwork is/was the essential ingresient for a successful cocktail party.
Granted, the judges found her appetizers “most tasty”; however, Debbie is a one note pony with Korean this and Korean that. I am glad to see that next week she will have to rely more on her culinary chops and not her arsinal of Korean ingredients. A possible show name for her show, if she wins, should be the Selfish Gourmet.
Also: I know it is TV and hats and hair nets do not make for beautiful people or a clean shot but, come-on, you are cooking for a great number of people and you don’t have anything protecting the food from stray hairs, chefs do not wash their hands after touching their face or hair. As a matter of fact, I have yet to see any contestent wash his or her hands before beginning. This sets a bad example. I worked one restaurant job where the owner was constantly telling servers to wash their hands whenever they touched any uncovered part of their body. Try a little basic sanitation! Finally; I know Michael said crowds were his thing, not the camera. I understand that might have been the fatal straw against him because, after all, this is about becoming a TV star, but it does make one wonder whether or not there is a show already formatted for the eventual winner and you are looking for the best match rather than a show being developed around the talents of the eventual winner.
It was really surprising watching Debbie tell lies on Sunday’s show: saying she was “selfless” and the only one working in the kitchen! We as viewers saw that Melissa and Jamika were working hard with their own dishes as well as helping someone elses. Unbelievable to hear Debbie talk! And no wonder her dishes tasted the best - she only concentrated and took her time on her two dishes not helping a bit with the others; whereas the others were “spread thin” trying to get all their assigned dishes out. And yes, it’s a relief to see Michael go: he had the easiest job Sunday night, was partying while the others were working. Plus he does not have a pleasant appearance when it comes to being around food. I hope Debbie goes next - she certainly doesn’t deserve another chance.
What are you guys doing? Have you lost your minds? The worst results I have seen so far on any of the shows happened last night. Debbie should have been the one to go not Michael. I think no matter what happens she will be kept on this looks like a Big Setup. Debbie has Lied just about every show starting with the first one. She lied about the pudding in another show. She lied when she got hit in the face. Because her dish was not great or whatever but she had all the spices and prep done BEFORE THAT HAPPENED, so how could that have affected the outcome, oh it must have been another lie. The airport challenge another lie. Debbie is making a fool out of somebody or a few judges but she is not fooling the viewers. Her unkept appearance, her repeated comments of her being Korean , her unsanitary habits in the kitchen and who knows where else makes me want to vomit. I cannot believe that the food network could not help Michael get over his camera fears I am sure that is a difficult thing to master but Michael had so many other good things going for him, he was honest, funny, creative with his food and he was thoughtful of others and I admire him but I also feel he was not given the chance he desired. Instead, the judges voted to keep miss piggy who cares only for me, myself and I. Go figure I guess the network needs trash to live up to ratings. Well it is time to take out the Trash because she is Stinking up the entire network. Oh in case you don’t know what Trash I am talking about it is Debbie THE KOREAN. Please let me keep my faith in good programing and don’t make Debbie the Next Food Network Star I enjoy watching too much.
We all have our opinions and know that there has to be a “winner” but the reality is probably none of us would watch any of them! P.S. If Debbie wins, there is something really wrong!
Another season but it could really be a repeat of last year. No talent,same big cry babies oh get a grip you people. I agree with several people who are getting tired of Food Network programing. Too many repeats, Paula going over the edge,and too many challenges, for heven sakes how many times can you watch the same show over and over. More Ina more Alton more Giada even though she gets on my last nerve once in a while tell the Neely’s to tone it down a bit with the sugar. Oh yeah and if Debbie wins that’s all for FoodTV I’ll never watch again!.
Jeffery is really good and so is Milissa
but would love to see Jimika be the one
she just has that want to watch her feel
I was hoping that Debbie was leaving last
sunday but you picked Michael instead.
lets make it Debbie next week then we
can all enjoy whats left.
As a matter of fact, I have yet to see any contestent wash his or her hands before beginning.
Andy on July 13, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Andy,
Good points but I really don’t care about watching them wash their hands. This show is about television. It would be pretty boring to watch the contestants washing their hands. There is only so much that TPTB can cram into a show. I’d rather watch the cooking and behind the scenes like DTLKM not helping than a contestant washing their hands. Just my thoughts.
luvcookin 15 July 7:38am —-You are so right about the hand washing. How much cooking time are we losing to hand washing time. I feel as if I’m watching Rachel, Paula, Tyler, etc.,from the rear as they are leaning over the sinks getting the hygeinic (sp?) lesson across to us. My mother taught me that over 80 years ago.
My green onions in a glass of water per Melissa’s tip are three feet tall this morning. Time to harvest! Now that was useful information.
First of all, I have been with the Food Network from the beginning. I have a husband with many dietary restrictions and he is a picky eater. I was looking for inspiration and new menus because I enjoy cooking for family and friends and you were a God-send. I have the TV on the FN most of the day and evening. I stop and watch or tape many of your programs, subscribe to your magazine, daily visit your website daily (in fact it is my homepage) and I buy products from you as well. So I guess I weigh in as a huge fan.
But lately, that’s been changing. I don’t know where you are coming from any more or where you are going.
Initially, your shows were crude and amateurish, but it was a new network and you were boldly going where few had gone before, so I hung in there through your learning curve and it was worth it!
The FN matured and became more refined. You found the key to entertaining, instructing and inspiring me. You picked excellent people initially, worked with them, played to their strengths and played down their weaknesses and in general, I watched them grow as individual artists in their own genres. In my opinion, Bobby Flay’s career with you is the best example of this. And the formula worked…. for awhile…
All of a sudden, everything is changing and it’s no longer improvements. You have over exposed many of your original stars (mostly the women) and taken them too far from their original elements and their charm is fading.
Especially true here is Paula (whom I love), whose down home cooking, charm, warmth and easy laugh has transformed to over whitened teeth, too much makeup and fake eyelashes on Paula’s party, where she is frequently, crude, rude and lewd with the men in the audience and her quest stars. Rachael and Giada, also. I am sick of seeing them on too many shows and repeats. Rachael please-give up the cute talk (yummo-stoup, sammies-please!!!!) Giada the over pronunciation of all things Italian, correcting everyone and the fake smile-getting old now….
The exception to this has been Bobby Flay. He has really come a long way and everyone we know love’s Throwdown and Iron Chef America (the Culinary Olympics..). Both brilliantly conceived and executed. Probably two of your best productions currently.
The Next Food Network Star started out as an excellent idea. It gave all of the home cooks, caterers and chef wanna-bees a hope and a dream. It felt genuine, it entertained, it was fun and exciting, but lately, not so much. I’m not going to beat the ” get rid of Debbie” drum anymore, but realize, that her blatant lack of integrity is the trigger for this novella.
You seem to be manipulating the viewers, stars and contestants for what you think is good TV-well think again.
A few observations and suggestions:
1.You seem to have lost the ability to pick good people and I know they are out there.
2. Once you find them, don’t over produce and warp the very qualities we love. Let them be in their on niche.
3. Don’t over-expose the same handful of woman. I bet most of your audience is women-bring on the men! What happened to Mario? Get Alton to be a contender on Iron Chef…use Michael Symone….more Tyler and Bobby etc
4. Stop trying to make The Next FN Star be a fifth rate reality show. Nobody has to cook under the ridiculous situations you given the finalists this year. You have unrealistic expectations and seem to be enjoying torturing them in very condescending tones this year. Where is the coaching, nurturing and positive re-enforcement they need to progress?
You did not give them the proper tools or time to get things done.
You changed the rules midstream.
You did not judge consistently or fairly.
Add the pressure of working in front of a camera under the scrutiny of their chef idols..
5. You seem to be manipulating the viewers and your contestants and I resent it. Let the viewers really vote. You can still manipulate the vote by showing us want you want us to see, but it will appear that our opinion counts.
6. Last and most important return to your original high standards, ethics and integrity across the board. Respect your stars and their talents and your audience. You are no longer the only game in town for any of us.
Thanks for reading-I hope you do!
Sue
Bravo Sue Atkinson! ‘You hit the nail on the head’ squarely and with masterful precision. I too hope the Food Network read your comments! Also, get rid of the DRAMA with all the judges looking like they’re at a hanging. I mentioned this once before but you guys don’t seem to get it. All the drama just before the commercials? You guys look like idiots. It’s a cooking show for Pete’s sake…you don’t have to look so intense. Nobody buys that. Do you think third graders are up a night watching you? Make the show a joy to watch…not a lesson in how to degrade and humiliate people! From the comments I’ve been reading, IF the Food Network is making high marks these days or IF you think you are or IF the ratings seems adequate just remember that people have the MUTE button and often use their time (when they don’t want to watch) to fix something to snack on or to go to the restroom. The restroom? Seems like a good place for segments of your shows!
How many chances are you going to give Debbie! I’ve seen the promos for the next episode and she delivers so much drama. I guess someone in the group is mean! Bobby Flay made a criticism and she burst out crying; You should be able to take criticism; especially from an experienced “Iron Chef”! I will never watch her show! I don’t think my last response was posted.
Hi Susie,
I have to say I have been a fan of FN for years and years, and for the first time I am (honestly) totally disapointed in the Next Food Network Star series.
First let me say that the last challenge - the cocktail party in Miami - was just WRONG. With Jeffrey as host and Michael as bartender (the most important job at a cocktail party, correct or am I missing something?) and Melissa and Jamika left in the kitchen to produce their food and the food for both Jeffrey and Michael (let’s not talk about Debbie now), how exactly was that a fair challenge? Michael’s food didn’t cut it and he was just having a good time? Please. If Michael had been allowed to prepare his food (and Jeffrey his food) and all five of them had the opportunity to tend bar and rotate as host/hostess, don’t you think that would have made for a more equal demonstration of their abilities at a cocktail party in Miami? Or is this just tag Jeffrey for bad judgement on his part? Are you really looking for a personality with integrity, works well as a team player, is straight forward nice with a combo of food talent and fun TV appeal (as our next “Star”), or is this whole series just a joke reality food let’s watch them cook, sweat, crash and burn deal?
As for this last episode, Michael got the short end of the stick. Out of all your “Star’s” he was the only one I enjoyed watching. I noticed from other blogger’s that there was mention of running his fingers through his hair and such. Jeffrey is right there with him, especially figuring out what to do on the ship with those lobsters. He had an hour and a half and doesn’t tend to the lobsters first and formost? Put them in the oven, boil water - whatever, just get that wonderful product moving.
Michael, in my opinion, won the “Holiday” challenge for Halloween. When he presented his food and said, “It’s hot in here”, and proceeded to take off his hat with his hair looking like a flame, well, I nearly fell out of my chair laughing. Michael is definitely a true “raw talent”. I couldn’t believe Jamika won, but feel that was a “diversity” issue on the part of FN. Trust me, Jamika is a beautiful woman who has amazing potential, but no “WOW” factor for FN. Michael, on the other hand, is who he is, and although I didn’t need to know he wanted to make out with Bobby or that his macara was running, enjoyed food, was creative, a team player, sensitive and by all appearences of “Star” quality. He is right up there with Guy in my book. I would watch his show any day.
The “Debbie Thing”. I agree that her, shall I say, lack of any kind of integrity WHATSOEVER, shut me down the first episode. I am flabergasted that FN has nursed her along. There are good Korean’s and Southerner’s out there hanging their heads in shame. Not to mention she is featured in your magazine opening a place in LA this summer and a hot dog stand to boot? I hope she hires some good security because the FN fans hate her. Lastly, worst is that you, Susie, announced on national television that you were a “fan” of hers. In front of the other finalists. Shame on you. Very unprofessional and biased.
At this point I am uninterested in the outcome of your show. Jeffrey is always moving his hands like he is watching a soccer game and he wants his daughter to kick a goal, Melissa is to “Mommy Oriented”, but very “real” about who she is (I might watch her) and Jamika is just cut out for a different opportunity.
Good Luck, Susie, because I am one fan who will be tuning out, but I will keep tuning in for Ina. She is amazing.
I didn’t have to opportunity to watch the first episode of NFNS, but understand the “Party Boys” won that. I caught their show once. Then Guy competed. He irked me a lot but I voted for him in the end because he was the best at energizing his audience and made me want to try some of his food. The next year it was JAZ (did I get that spelling right?). He lied about his background and you dumped him. But the major thing was, he beat all the others and HE DID NOT have a culinary school certificate/diploma. You forgave Robert Irvine for lying about his background. JAZ should have been given the same consideration.
I never watched the Gourmet Next Door, whom I didn’t take to during the show and who dumped you PDQ.
Last year Garza made me crazy because her ego outstriped her cooking ability, IMO. Aaron seems like a nice guy but after watching his show a couple of times I found it boring and never went back.
If the judges give the show to “I’m Korean” and I lie a lot and love to stab the others in the back, doing so with glee, I don’t believe that I would ever watch a future series.
As judges you should be looking at the ethical acts of your choices for a star. I would never want anyone I know, particularly children, to think it is okay to lie to get ahead. I was more than stunned that you did not nail her when she said she did all that work in th kitchen at the cocktail party when all she did was her own food.
You judges are coming across as foolish and it affects how I feel about you on other shows. Do you really want people to doubt you as much at the do Debbie?
I have wondered for years why Giada is allowed to destroy the Italian language and be sold as an authority. Now watching how pro Debbie you seem to be it is clear to me that you go for fakes. Both of those individuals make me ashamed of FN and Debbie gives me concern for your integrity when I see you supporting someone so underhanded with Bobby Flay the only one who even notices anything might not be okay. Shame on you!!!!!!
Debbie has to go. Her lack of integrity detracts from the whole network. A network needs team players to succeed. Debbie is DEFINITELY NOT a team player.
So far I completely agree with your decisions on whom you have cut. I know it must have been difficult to cut Jamika because of her charismatic charm. I also can see why it is hard to cut Debbie because of her TV personality. In my mind though, she already has proven she does not have staying power or integrity. I really like Jeffrey and Melissa. Probably identify more with Melissa because I find her the most interesting and her ideas intrigue me. I have seen her grow as a personality and was glad to see her pull her enthusiasm back some for the camera’s sake. When this is all done and the winner is chosen. Will there be a recipe book available?
You know ever since you got rid of Mike I thought you guys lost it. Ok so he is loud Im sorry Debbie crying doesn’t make lies go away! come on I love you judges but you lost it there for a few.
not sure but isn't Bob an exec. producer? As for Katie, I want taste and if it is healthy….bingo. don't cram the health thing down my throat
Surprise, surprise who you eliminated…from the get go you picked Melissa to win…just look at the picture posted…who is out front Melissa of course….and Bobbie Flay was falling all over her from the first show…so obvious it was sickening…..You will again have an annoying female if you give her a show…spoiled little rich girl like Sandra Lee and the Neeleys….every time their shows come on I change channels like many of my friends do. When will you listen to the viewers and not be so gun hole on putting who you want. Melissa is annoying and always saying how great she is ….she grew up with a hired cook in her family….she is not your typical "stay at home mom" quit selling her as such you do the real stay at home moms a slap in the face. Jeffrey is very warm and easy to watch you and your network would be better served if he wins but I will bet my bank account that will never happen….Just ask Bobbie and Susie…..they want this woman to win in the worst way….SAD
i cant believe katie was sent home! she did great in the challenge and jamika or micheal should have gone home! im just so dissapointed katie was eliminated!! it wasnt her time to go.
i totally agree with you. katie should have stayed
i agree 100 %
katie should have made it longer and possibly won.
Debbie should have been long gone from the competition. I haven't seen very much southern in her dishes and with her complete lack of integrity, I cannot imagine watching a show she is hosting.
Since I am a south Georgia native, once upon a time I was excited about Paula Dean's show. After a few episodes, I realized she is not representative of a southern lady. Quite frankly, some of her programs have too many sexual overtures and are insulting. I agree with Vickie that she should return to southern cooking while loosing the fake persona and the silly giggles.
I'm guessing that since Katie and Bob are "behind the scenes at the Food Network - (a dream job in many respects I suspect)… they are in fact qualified. JMO!!!!
It was definitely time for Katie to go. She said at the beginning that she knew she was taking a chance that there wasnt enough time to cook the turkey burger…so why did she even try? Also…it was like two inches thick! Why didnt she just make it thinner…it would have cooked all the way through. She doesnt seem to have even the most elementary cooking skills.
fyi. Bob and Susie are Food Network executives…not TV stars. Their expertise lies in food knowledge, star potential and marketability. Therefore, if you've never watched this show before, you'd have never heard of either of them. I"m sure you have no idea who the president of the Food Network is either, but it makes her no less of an expert, just because you haven't heard of her.
I agree with you. I think Katie did much better on the rachael show than Jamika. Jamika should have been elimiated.
way is melissa d'arabian is on sunday .way can she be on doing the week .
I am glad the lady who won won but I really beelive I could out cook these peoplei have been cooking since I was four and I am always creating new dishes I jsut can't help myself! I love simple good short cuts to cooking! How about a show that talks about ministry as well as cooking and call it Health food for the body and soul.