FNS

Food Network Star S9 E3

Published June 17, 2013 | By Stuart

The latest season of Food Network Star has premiered and the latest round of wannabe TV chefs have begun their quest. We’ve seen first impressions and heard what the judges think but what the world really wants to know is what I think. Let’s do this.

If you haven’t seen tonight’s episode STOP! Watch it HERE first and then come back.

Expertise: Week three already. So far Chad and Stacey have shown to be the front runners. Both have been letter perfect so far. Rodney and Viet aren’t too far behind. Russell was a dud in week one and a stud in week two, what does week 3 offer? Danushka has had two straight bottom 3 finishes. This week I predict she either goes home or has an incredibly strong showing. Those are the two most common plot twists at this point. Each Starster must prove they are an expert on food. Ultimately one will get Chopped.

Now for my take on each:

Eliminated week 2.	A two-time top 3 finisher, Chad is one of the favorites. His first offering this week was a little off the mark. His second challenge was classic Chad – inventive food and a warm, charming presentation. A top 4 finish.
Chris’ performance has been disappointing so far. Chad started off this week with another underachieving dish. Helping Stacey was cool, that usually means you’re headed home though. Not this time, on the second round his food was great and his presentation was solid.	Damaris remains an enigma. She also remains a doll. Her first offering this week was pretty darned good. She was one of the two winners of the first challenge. She was outstanding as a judge in the second round. She sounded good enough to fill in on ICA or Chopped. Top 4.
Eliminated week 1.	So far Lovely has been a middle of the road performer who has shown a lot of promise. She started off tonight with a mediocre dish. On the second round her presentation was great and her food was pretty good.
Nikki hit a home run in week one and not so much in week two. She is very likable and she does have a great POV but as the judges keep pointing out she needs to stop apologizing for it. Take ownership, be proud. Her second round was outstanding on both food and presentation – a top 4.	Danushka is the one you love to hate. But her food is pretty good and at times she has a great sense of humor. Her first effort this week was not a hit. On the second challenge her food was inventive but as usual her presentation was off-putting. Another bottom 3.
Rodney had a very good first week, so-so in week two. He started off this week with a terrific dish. He was one of the two winners of the first challenge. He was OK as a judge. He seemed more like buddy trying your food than a critic but then again he was true to himself. Top 4.	Russell bombed the first week. Not so last week, a top 3 finish. His first offering this week was nice but not stellar. His second did not go over well at all and his energy during presentation was lacking. Another dip on his roller coaster ride. Bottom 3, again.
Stacey was really amazing in the first two weeks. She’s a front runner for sure and her food in the first round reflected what she has done to date. The second round however she did not pull off her dish and her presentation went long. The first time she’s looked human, bottom 3 human.	Viet has been right on the cusp of a top 3 finish but so far it has alluded him. He started off this week with a great dish but also one that did not quite celebrate the secret ingredient. His second challenge food was great but his presentation was a little clumsy and he seemed a little nervous.

The person who will NOT be the next Food Network Star is…

Danushka

Posted in FNS | Tagged alton, Andres Guillama (Waynesville, bob, bobby, burger, chopped, Chris Hodgson (Cleveland), Connie “Lovely” Jackson (Los Angeles), Daniela Perez-Reyes (Haleiwa, Danushka Lysek (New York), Episode, fns9, food network star, full, Giada, Haw., ky, NC, Nikki Dinki (New York), Penn., recap, review, Rodney Henry (Baltimore), Russell Jackson (San Francisco), Stacey Poon-Kinney (San Diego) and Chad Rosenthal (Ambler, Susie, Ted Allen, Viet Pham (Salt Lake City); Damaris Phillips (Louisville, watch | Leave a comment

Watch Food Network Star 9 Ep. 2

Published June 10, 2013 | By Stuart

Posted in FNS | Tagged alton, Andres Guillama (Waynesville, bob, bobby, burger, Chris Hodgson (Cleveland), Connie “Lovely” Jackson (Los Angeles), Daniela Perez-Reyes (Haleiwa, Danushka Lysek (New York), Episode, fns9, food network star, full, Giada, Haw., ky, NC, Nikki Dinki (New York), Penn., recap, review, Rodney Henry (Baltimore), Russell Jackson (San Francisco), Stacey Poon-Kinney (San Diego) and Chad Rosenthal (Ambler, Susie, Viet Pham (Salt Lake City); Damaris Phillips (Louisville, watch | Leave a comment

Food Network Star S9 E2

Published June 10, 2013 | By Stuart

The latest season of Food Network Star has premiered and the latest round of wannabe TV chefs have begun their quest. We’ve seen first impressions and heard what the judges think but what the world really wants to know is what I think. Let’s do this.

If you haven’t seen tonight’s episode STOP! Watch it HERE first and then come back.

Burger Bash: I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t like burgers. I don’t trust them. A burger bash is right up my alley whether it be judging or competing. The top 3 contained two familiar places in Chad and Stacey who were joined by Russell just one week after he avoided elimination by the hair of his chiny chin chin. The bottom 3 featured one familiar face, Danushka who was joined by Andres and Nikki who kind of pulled an anti-Russell going from first to worst.

Hey! Check this out, click on the banner below and you can download my anthology of Food Network Star interviews for FREE. This deal is for Monday and Tuesday only.

Now for my take on each:

Andres had a good first week. His focus to teach guys how to cook did not go over well. His presentation was kind of clunky. His POV is schizophrenic. His burger was not well received.	Chad was solid out of the box. No sophomore jinx for Chad as he pulled off another top 3 performance. His Memphis burger went over extremely well.
Chris’ performance last week was quite disappointing. This week he continued to struggle. He ran out of time on his presentation. Not good. His burger on the other hand was good. Not amazing but pretty good. His downfall is presentation.	Damaris was an enigma. She has a bizarre type of charm. She really should try to do as the committee says. For some reason people did not gravitate to the pimento cheese burger. That’s crazy. They’re awesome.
Eliminated week 1.	A good showing last week for Levely. Her presentation was fun and interesting if a little forced. She’s likable. Her food was not okay.
Nikki hit a home run in week one. She was really put behind the eight ball in this challenge being that she’s the “veggie with a side of meat” girl. Her presentation seemed fine but did not go over well. Her burger wasn’t good.	Danushka had a rough start but survived elimination. This week was more of the same. It is clear that the Network brought Danushka in to be the person everyone loves to hate. She isn’t disappointing. Being hated is what is keeping her on the show. Hate = ratings.
Rodney had a very good first week. Pie Burger? Man can he talk fast. He needs to reign in the tempo when speaking. So did the pie burger work? Nope.	Russell bombed last week. Not so this week. Russell had the most amazing turn around this week with a performance that landed him a top 3 finish. He had the best burger of the day.
Stacey was really, really amazing in the premiere. Tonight she proved that she is a big time contender. Great energy and food. She’s outstanding and so was her food.	Viet had a very good first week. I love the idea of the bahn mi burger. Very inventive. A great job! It was top 3 caliber. His burger was pretty darned good too.

The person who will NOT be the next Food Network Star is…

Andres

Posted in FNS | Tagged alton, Andres Guillama (Waynesville, bob, bobby, burger, Chris Hodgson (Cleveland), Connie “Lovely” Jackson (Los Angeles), Daniela Perez-Reyes (Haleiwa, Danushka Lysek (New York), fns9, food network star, Giada, Haw., ky, NC, Nikki Dinki (New York), Penn., recap, review, Rodney Henry (Baltimore), Russell Jackson (San Francisco), Stacey Poon-Kinney (San Diego) and Chad Rosenthal (Ambler, Susie, Viet Pham (Salt Lake City); Damaris Phillips (Louisville | Leave a comment

Watch Food Network Star 9 Ep. 1

Published June 2, 2013 | By Stuart

Posted in FNS | Tagged alton, Andres Guillama (Waynesville, bob, bobby, burger, Chris Hodgson (Cleveland), Connie “Lovely” Jackson (Los Angeles), Daniela Perez-Reyes (Haleiwa, Danushka Lysek (New York), Episode, fns9, food network star, full, Giada, Haw., ky, NC, Nikki Dinki (New York), Penn., recap, review, Rodney Henry (Baltimore), Russell Jackson (San Francisco), Stacey Poon-Kinney (San Diego) and Chad Rosenthal (Ambler, Susie, Viet Pham (Salt Lake City); Damaris Phillips (Louisville, watch | Leave a comment

Food Network Star S9 E3

Watch Food Network Star 9 Ep. 2

Food Network Star S9 E2

Watch Food Network Star 9 Ep. 1

Follow Stuart via “the Online”

Sip & Chew with Mike and Stu

Subscribe to WTVC via Email

Stuart in 80 Words or Less

Stu’s Latest Kindle Single is Just $2.99

Recent Posts

Help with Gulf Oil Spill Recovery

Stuart’s Honors & Awards

Mi Amigeauxs

Archives

Subscribe to this blog

FNS

Food Network Star S9 E3

Share this:

Watch Food Network Star 9 Ep. 2

Share this:

Food Network Star S9 E2

Share this:

Watch Food Network Star 9 Ep. 1

Share this:

Follow Stuart via “the Online”

Sip & Chew with Mike and Stu

Subscribe to WTVC via Email

Stuart in 80 Words or Less

Stu’s Latest Kindle Single is Just $2.99

Recent Posts

Help with Gulf Oil Spill Recovery

Stuart’s Honors & Awards

Mi Amigeauxs

Archives

Subscribe to this blog