I’ve totally been wrapped up in The Next Food Network Star (NFNS) these last few weeks. (Who’s your fave?) While watching this season, I started wondering what was up with last season’s winner, Aaron McCargo Jr. Well, Big Daddy is in the house!
Yesterday I snagged Aaron for some water-cooler chat about his new season of Big Daddy’s House and the current season of NFNS.
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SECRETARY CONFIDENTIAL: You’re about to hit your one-year anniversary here at Food Network. Looking back over the past year, is there anything you didn’t expect would be a part of the experience?
AARON: I can’t say there have been any real downs, but I will say that I didn’t understand the flow of everything at first, the demand of my time. I hope to speak to The Next Food Network Star winner at some point, and offer what I’ve learned through all my bumps and bruises, as well as share my high fives. But I can’t call this work–it’s so much fun.
SC: Have you been keeping up with this new season of NFNS?
A: Oh, yes! I’ll be honest with you, it’s kind of tough to watch. It’s so surreal for me. My wife sits there with the kids watching with me, I look over, and I catch her tearing up all over again. I always tell people, it’s night-and-day different from doing NFNS to Big Daddy’s House. On NFNS you don’t have a clue as to what you’re going to do, what the challenge will be, or whether you’re going to be sent home. You can never relax. At Big Daddy’s I can now relax and enjoy it.
SC: So, if you were competing this season, who do you think would be your biggest competition?
A: It’s not as much a cooking competition show this season, as it seems to be more a personality competition. Don’t get me wrong. These guys are definitely great chefs; I can’t take that away from them. But a lot of them have great personality. I think my biggest competition if I had been on this season would have been Jeffrey.
SC: So, having won NFNS last year and now having finished the third season of Big Daddy’s House, do you get the perk of knowing who the new winner will be?
A: Oh, no. I want to be just as excited as everyone else!
SC: Who do you watch on Food Network? If we checked out your DVR, what shows would be recorded?
A: Everyone has their different techniques, but I get a kick out of watching Guy [Fieri]! He really attracts me because I like the way he indulges in the food. I am a big eater, and so he just makes me want to jump into the screen and travel with him. So, maybe Guy should take me on the road? We’ll do Diners, Drive-ins and Dives with Big Daddy? You never know.
SC: I like that! What are you bringing to the table for this new round of Big Daddy’s House episodes? Is there anything you’re particularly pumped up about for the season premiering on Sunday?
A: Well, I’m especially excited about the “Ultimate Sandwiches” episode, but I can’t really pick a favorite show or meal for this season. Every meal just exploded in my mouth.
SC: I hear that your youngest son, Justin, makes another appearance on one of the upcoming shows. What does he think about the whole experience?
A: He loves it. My father-in-law came in to be in an upcoming episode. And then Justin was there asking, “When are they going to put on my mic? I need to start cooking and talking with my Dad.” It’s really funny that he has taken ownership–that this is his new job too. I think I’m going to have to cut him a check. He is just running around acting like this is his normal gig, his 9 to 5.
SC: Food Network will have to put together a whole series around him. We could call it “Big Daddy’s Lil House.”
A: Ha-ha! That’s perfect!
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Thanks to Aaron for chatting with me! Catch all new episodes of Big Daddy’s House this Sunday, 1:30pm/12:30c, and check out Aaron’s personal website over here.
Eat well,
SC
I’m rooting for Jeff too Aaron!! You and him should cook together!
Happy 1st year at Food Network!!
Aaron is my absolute fav. He is a local boy & I was lucky enough to see him at our local Farmers Mkt last year. I was so excited!
Great interview.
Love Aaron McCargo Jr., we’re rooting for Jeffrey too.
I love Big Daddy’s House and I tape it every Sunday so that I can watch it after church. I’ve follow Aaron from the time he was a contestant and I think he is great.
I was so happy when Aaron won last season and now I love watching Big Daddy! He seems so warm and down to earth, like someone fun to hang out with.
Always have been a big fan of Aaron.
He and his family are always in my prayers.
My family has a saying, Salud, Dinero Y Amore.
Health, Money and Love.
Love of family and Love of your country, Love of Food. Love of Life.
I also followed Aaron and I’m glad he won. Congrat to your first of many more seasons of Big Daddy House on Food Network! Keep doing what you do. You do it so well.
Jamika’s personality reminds me of Big Daddy. If she could just get into choosing a Caribbean Island’s cuisine and make it hers she would wow the judges. She needs to define herself around Jamaican cuisine and cook the JAM in her name. You both could make a good show. Whisper in her ears how to cook Jerk Pork/ Jerk Chicken, Rice and Peas and serve mango chutney
Sorrel wine and use pimento berries instead of black pepper. I hope Jamika will not be peered with anybody again. She is not a team player. I hope you can meet with her and tell her to make the connection with the JAM in her name and sell herself with a Caribbean but a suttle Jamaican reggae Jamming Jamika Flair. I watch Big Daddy every sunday and you are good. I can’t believe you were so afraid to express yourself on The Food Network Star. Tell Jamika to cook Jerked FRENCH fries, banana bread, plantain tarts and things like that. Tell her to vist Grace Kitchens website and do some research and make her food Caribbean/ Jamican foods. She should win if she just step up her game. She looks like somebody in the Obama family! If she gets a chance to shine the whole world will make the connection. Pass on the email to her if possible. I am writing from all the way in Jamaica.
I rooted for Aaron from the start last year too. If that’s worth anything, Jeff or Jamika will win!
must say that your potato salad recipe was to die for ! WOW! thanks for everything aaron..
I look forward to Sunday afternoons and Aaron’s show… he ROCKS!
It was so awesome watching his son & his buddy taking big bites of that short rib sandwich!! Those two boys LOVED it.. Only problem for me was that I wasn’t there to take a bite too.. LOL! ~~~LOVE BIG DADDY~~~
Happy First year at Food Network. I love Big Daddy’s House….you are just so wonderful to watch.
I love Jeffery to win this one but I also have a soft spot for Jamika.
I absolutely love Big Daddy’s House and having the boys be a part of the show yesterday was great. Congratulations on your anniversary and I look forward to wishing you a happy anniversary next year. I’m all for Jeffrey as well.
WTG Aaron — love the Show and loved you during the your competitions as well
Congratulations to you, Aaron McCargo Jr.– Big Daddy of Food Network–on successfully finishing one year on TV! I’m sure you and your whole family are so proud of your accomplishments. Keep up the fantastic job; I hope you’re on the air for years to come. I enjoy your recipes, energy and sheer enjoyment of life. Best wishes to you and yours.
Susie, you are right that we viewers don’t “see it all”…BUT…if the judges think that being comfortable in front of the camera trumps attitude and INTEGRITY, then I need to change channels. Sorry, but cooking, being comfortable, style, etc. can all be learned with experience. Bad attitudes rarely change, especially when they are enabled (like… by not sending her home)
Was so happy you won and love watching your show now! We were rooting for you all the way.
Big Daddy, you are the man. I don’t get an opportunity to watch your show every week, but I do record it. I am glad you came back. It was odd that your show was off air, without even showing reruns. Keep up the energy, and keep on keeping it real!
Please Jamie, I’m beggin’ ya, leave at least one raspberry for me.
Congrat to your first year and many more to come.I was so happy when Aaron won last season.I wanted to come on that set and pull you to side to tell you to open your mouth.Now I want Jamika to do what she know she can do.