As Bravo's Top Chef winds down, "The Next Food Network Star" heats up! The season begins tonight at 10 p.m. EST/PST on (duh) The Food Network. I have to admit, I've never seen this show, so I was excited to receive a preview copy of tonight's episode. Here are my thoughts.
Great concept: Chefs of all ages and backgrounds are vying for their own cooking show on the Food Network. They compete in a series of challenges to test their cooking skills, as well as their ability to show their personality and "unique culinary point of view." Judges are looking for chops in the kitchen, as well as the star-quality necessary to host a television show. Each contestant has already proven they can cook, so it's interesting to watch the "behind the scenes" of selecting who gets their own show... and who doesn't.
Solid cast of characters: Some of the chefs are cool, some are crazy, some are uber-cheesy, and some are Divas (with a Capital D). It's impressive to see how the network pulled in its Big-Guns including the Neeleys, Bobby Flay, scary master-chefs from Iron Chef America and Giada De Laurentiis into the selection process. (There also is a hint that we will see Martha Stewart herself in a future episode.) Of course, the ultimate differentiator is incorporating the network executives into the selection process. I loved hearing them explain how they spot star-quality and what is their recipe for success on television.
Bottom-line: Great show that makes for excellent Laptop Television (and Cooking Television). Set your TiVos!
I hope you will be watching this every week--I will too, and will be discussing each ep on Monday on my blog, Annie's New York Eats. HINT: I really, really dislike Lisa, AKA "The Dalaas Diva".
Posted by: Annie | June 02, 2008 at 10:53 AM
I love the Food Network and cooking competitions, so this is right up my alley. I agree that Lisa is totally annoying, but think cooking for Iron Chef Morimoto would be the scariest! I look forward to reading both Laptop TV and Annie's NY Eats reviews!
Posted by: Shelly | June 03, 2008 at 07:35 PM
I have gotten behind on my LTV reading and had no idea that TNFNS had started again! Thanks for doing us all this public service. I love this competition almost as much as Top Chef. Lucky for me, this is one of those networks that re-airs shows over, and over, and over, and over, and over. I'm going to set my TiVo now!
Posted by: Vicki | June 12, 2008 at 12:57 PM