The Next Food Network Star, Season 6
Episode 4: Spicy Competition
Camera Challenge
Bobby Flay, the master of the chile pepper, challenges the finalists to make a dish with peppers, and the winner’s dish will be put on the menu of all three of Bobby’s Mesa Grill restaurants for one week.
After making their dishes, the finalists had 30 seconds to present them to camera, including a description of the flavors in their dishes.
Herb and DAS had the worst food and the worst presentations. Both were uninspired.
Brianna, Brad and Aarti brought the best food, with Tom kind of like a runner up. Tom’s presentation was better this week. Aarti ran out of time, and Brad is not able to engage the camera with the best of his personality. Brianna shined this week, maybe because of the chili peppers. Her hotness and energy is a good match for the chili pepper “sizzle” type of presentation, and it clicked.
And the winner is…
Brianna and her Chile Chicken Skewers
Star Challenge
Three friends of Bobby Flay, who are legendary chefs as well, challenge the finalists to re-create their favorite dishes. The finalists compete in groups of three, as they each attempt to make one of the favorite dishes. Each dish (group) will have one winner.
Most of the finalists were able to get a little more personal in their presentations in this challenge, and tell a personal story during their presentations. However, that didn’t turn out to be a win for everybody.
Group 1: Steak with Macaroni and Cheese
chef: Eric Greenspan, The Foundry on Melrose, Los Angeles
DAS got low marks for both his food and his presentation this week. The chefs did not enjoy his berry relish at all. And he still can’t engage the camera as desired.
Paul: Cajun Pork Tenderloin with Lambic Beer Sauce and Cheesy Spaetzle
Paul took a huge risk by making pork tenderloin instead of steak and cheesy spaetzle instead of macaroni and cheese. And he did not get away with it. The chefs didn’t like his food that much, and certainly not enough for his pork and spaetzle to replace the steak and mac and cheese of Greenspan’s childhood.
Paul also got dissed for his apparent change of culinary point of view, which is still not very clear to the selection committee. He said he used pork because it was cheaper, and that’s what his family could afford when he was growing up.
And the Winner is…
Aria: Aria’s Mac n’ Cheese
The selection committee did not love Aria’s dish, but did like her presentation. They told her she won sort by default because nobody nailed the dish.
Group 2: Fried Chicken with Iceberg Salad and Bleu Cheese Dressing
chef: Susan Feniger, Ciudad and Street, Los Angeles
Brianna: Fried Chicken and Waffles Stack with Iceberg Salad and Garlicky Ranch Aioli
Brianna nailed the fried chicken of chef Feniger’s youth, but the waffles didn’t go over as well. The selection committee liked her personal story of her father and her frying chicken together, however, they still don’t see her on camera personality as warm or welcoming, something they really want to see in their Next Food Network Star.
Serena: Fried Chicken with Dipping Sauces: Cotolitta di Pollo con Salse
Serena had a bad night, first of all, for making breaded chicken cutlets instead of fried chicken. The Italian-ization of the “southern fried chicken” completely changed the character of the chicken enough that is was not a contender.
And the Winner is…
Brad: Blue Corn Fried Chicken with Malt Vinegar Aioli
Brad’s chicken was perfect! All the chefs loved Brad’s chicken. He didn’t get 100% for his presentation,though. Bobby felt like he backed off a little from his attitude that he is the PRO CHEF… in front of the legendary chefs he was presenting to. The selection committee sees a big lack of screen presence in Brad. When the camera turns on, Brad turns off.
Group 3: Lamb and Potatoes
chef: Jonathan Waxman, Barbuto Restaurant, New York
Herb: Blue Corn Tortilla Encrusted Rack of Lamb with Horseradish Mashed Potatoes and Balsamic Asparagus
Herb might have given the worst presentation this week. He suffered from a loss of confidence of some sort. His food was well-received, but he expressed doubts about being in the competition. He also told a tear-jerker story about his wife being the first person to tell him he was special, when he made this dish. Suzie Fogelson dabbed at a tear in her eye as he was giving his presentation, but later told him that sad stories is not really what they want on Food Network. He needs to bring an inviting persona to his show.
Tom: Roasted Leg of Lamb with Smashed Fingerlings and Zinfandel Gravy
Tom’s presentation was improved this week, and his food was good, but neither was a home run.
And the Winner is…
Aarti: Ground Lamb Kofto Kebabs with Pomegranate Glaze, Bengali-Spiced Potatoes and Persian Cucumber Raita
Aarti knocked it out of the park, with her Indian interpretation of lamb and potatoes as well as her concise, friendly, and inviting presentation. Bobby Flay and the guest chefs were impressed by her pomegranite molasses made by hand during the time-constrained challenge.
By my estimation, Aarti was the biggest winner in this episode. She offered the best combined food + presentation, beating out Aria’s presentation and Brad’s food by at least a couple of points.
For Aarti’s perspective on this episode, check out her article at LAist.com.
Best of show: Aarti, Aria, Brad, Brianna
Worst of show: DAS, Paul, Serena
Eliminated: Darrell “DAS” Smith
Don’t forget to vote for your FAN FAVORITE!
Top 3 Fan Favorites: Aria 22%, Aarti 18% and Doreen 12%
Bottom 3 Fan Favorites: Brianna 2%, Tom 4%, Paul 4%
Check out:
Episode 4 Videos
Episode 4 Recipes
The Next Food Network Star is on Sundays at 9 p.m.
Tune in next week for episode 5 of The Next Food Network Star, Season 6.
Lovin’ It Low Carb
Ramona Denton
in this series
The Next Food Network Star, Season 6 Episode 1 (Premiere)
The Next Food Network Star: Season 6, Episode 2
The Next Food Network Star: Season 6, Episode 3
The Next Food Network Star: Season 6, Episode 4
