Food Network Star Exit Interview: Kara Sigle

Kara Sigle, 31 (Chicago), has an eclectic culinary style and a strong interest in health and fitness. A family-oriented Midwesterner, Kara attended culinary school but spent time in various other industries before deciding to pursue food as her career. Her fresh take on nostalgic recipes makes for delicious, healthy and accessible dishes that the whole family will enjoy. This avid exercise guru is constantly on the go, running her own catering company and teaching fitness classes. She also hopes to open her own cafe in Chicago someday.

In week one Kara was not featured very much.  In week two she was front and center.  Unfortunately not for the right reasons.  Her Star Challenge performance, though not the worst of the night (that was Josh) was weak enough to warrant having to compete in the Producer’s Challenge.  Unfortunately Judson (who was only in the cook-off because of a terrible rule) was just too strong for her to overcome despite having a pretty good performance in the all-Chicago showdown.

Being the second person eliminated from FNS is not always a bad thing.  In season 4, Kevin Roberts was eliminated in week two and he has since gone on to host the Taste Award nominated BBQ Pitmasters while Aaron McCargo Jr. who won that year is no longer on the air.  Kara is smart, attractive and likeable; I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of her.

How did you occupy your time after elimination?

I basically just started focusing on work I had to do with my catering company back home.

Which cast members do you still have a strong bond with?

Absolutely.  Obviously all fifteen of the people were all unique and spectacular in their own ways.  Through Facebook I keep in touch with all of them.  I really respected and thought that Eric’s food was really above and beyond.  I love Michelle’s genuine appeal and how great she was with everybody behind the scenes.

Everybody really had a fantastic personality.  It was really cool to see such dynamic people kind of come together.  Post-elimination I was able to hang out with some of the other cast members over that time frame some of those bonds were created and remain strong as well.

Were you intimidated when you first met Bobby Flay?

I would say I was just so honored to be around somebody of such incredible caliber.  Iron Chef and all that he’s done with his restaurants really working from the ground up to what he is today.  It wasn’t so much intimidation but more just honored.

You and Judson are both caterers from Chicago.  Did you know each other before the show?

No we did not.

Do you have any projects going on at the moment?

Yes.  I also have a project called the Total Body Boot Camp.  That’s another company that I work with for conditioning and training people.  It’s usually run in the summer but it’s kind of been in a holding pattern because catering has been very busy lately.

Be sure to check out all of the Star Season 8 Exit Interviews HERE.