The Next Food Network Star

July 28, 2008 by · Leave a Comment 

My wife and I got hooked on this dog gone show. We tivo’d and watched each of the last 7 or 8 episodes. Who would of thunk that a cooking related competition like this would be so damn interesting to watch?

At any rate, we watched the finale last night with popcorn in hand. (Fortunately we didn’t catch the news of who won beforehand caused by some screw up at the network that caused the winner to be leaked via their Website ahead of the show.) After watching each contestant bomb under pressure and the limelight and then viewing the final edited clips produced we were as torn as the judges surely were between the three finalists. It was a toss-up for us.

Although we like all three of the contestants and truly appreciate their dedication to food and their profession, we found all them a bit lacking as TV personalities coupled with the lack of an interesting theme for a show that would draw us to watch from time to time. Having said that we are very glad Aaron won the contest. We think his background can be parlayed into an interesting show if they get him out of the kitchen and interacting with peeps. Perhaps a show in Camden NJ and other rough patches of urban America where he can help inspire some folks to get into cooking some bold food!?

Some media snobs are choking on their brie covered triscuits because a hospital chef was chosen as the winner of this culinary competition…. We say Aaron is not a “hospital chef”! Aaron is a man that chose to become a professional chef earlier in his life. His path in life led him to become a hospital chef. Little doubt Aaron was doing what he had to do to feed his family and survive, all the while sticking to his dream!

Aaron proved once again that big bold dreams can come true.

Congratulations Aaron! Good luck with The Food Network! We’ll watch!!!

Here’s a short Food Network video (3:42) recapping the finale:

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Next Food Network Star Finale Recap

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Bobby Flay the Super Chef

January 19, 2008 by · Leave a Comment 

Like so many teenagers Bobby Flay had big dreams along with unspoiled confidence and optimism. Unlike most teens, however, Bobby didn’t let “reality” deter him or steer him off course. He seized on a couple of key opportunities offered to him in his early years and parlayed them into a “Bobby Flay empire”. He is perhaps one of the most famous chefs in the United States at the moment. His net worth is rumored to be over $20 million… who knows.

For what it’s worth I’m pretty sure money wasn’t the fuel behind his strong drive. I think his fuel was driven by a deep desire; to be successful, to win, to conquer. One thing is for sure and that is that his passion to be the very best at his chosen profession has allowed him to succeed.

He could be called the Brett Favre of chefs. The main difference between Brett and Bobby is that Brett is praised and liked by all whereas Bobby Flay, with his New Yorker personality, has rubbed a few prissy types the wrong way and they’re not shy about voicing their opinion. But, underneath that thick-skinned New Yorker, that chose to cook over playing sports, there is undoubtedly a special kid who is realizing his dream.

Below you’ll find a list of Websites where you can find out more information about the Bobby Flay food empire:

Iron Chef’s Culinary Art Served on Fortessa

December 15, 2007 by · Leave a Comment 

Eight of the world’s top chefs displayed their culinary art on Fortessa tableware when they competed to become one of the Iron Chef America contestants for worldwide honors. The winner will join some serious culinary superstars including; Mario Batali, Cat Cora, Bobby Flay and Masaharu Morimoto to compete in the new Food Network series Iron Chef America. If you haven’t watched the show you should. It’s amazing what these chefs are able to create in an hour.