Review: Kelsey’s Essentials
I finally got a little more quality time with the Cooking Channel so I am attempting to review several of the shows I have not seen. This time around Kelsey’s Essentials.
Never before has a person been so deserving of their own cooking show.
On Next Food Network Star 4 Nixon was the stand out contestant week in and week out. Though small in stature she was head and shoulders better than every contestant on the show. She won more challenges than all the other contestants combined. Yet, mysteriously she was sent home three episodes from the end. It wasn’t a case of having one bad day since she did at least as well as the other Wannabe TV Chefs in that week’s challenge.
The reason offered by the judges? She was simply too young to be taken seriously as a TV chef. She was 23 years old. Four years older than Bobby Flay was when he became executive chef at a hip Manhattan restaurant and roughly the same age he was when he started with Food Network. The age thing just didn’t wash.
That season was won by Aaron McCargo Jr. who, even on his A game, was the sixth best contestant on the show. But rumor is the Food Network brass had fallen in love with the lovable big guy and decided he was the winner before shooting began. I don’t know if that’s true but it makes better since than anything else out there. Nixon had to go because she was simply too good, never mind the fact that she was running away with the fan poll on the Food Network’s own web site.
Kelsey marks the fourth entrant to NFNS 4 to get their own show. The first was 26-year-old Mary Nolan who the judges were so impressed with that they gave her a series without having to compete. Get that now, 23 is too young but 26 you get to skip the line and go right in. I don’t recall that three year span being that important to my development as a person. Nolan’s show was gone after one season. McCargo still has his show plugging along for his small but devoted following and runner-up Adam Gertler has had two shows with the network, both prime-time series with great ratings.
So after taking Kelsey’s Essentials for a test drive I can say that what we saw on NFNS 4 was the real thing. She is still the best. Her knowledge and energy are spot on. Watching the show I was amazed at how solid her technique was. The knife was an extension of her hand, whisk in hand she effortlessly put together a lemon curd and all the while maintaining a warm relationship with the camera. Just like on the Star she was flawless.
In short, Kelsey’s Essentials is a fulfillment of the promise that was ignored by the judges on NFNS 4. It is easily one of the best stand-and-stir’s on TV and Nixon is a confident and inviting host. If Cooking Channel isn’t careful they may have a star on their hands.
Review: Kid in a Candy Store
This is going to be a very short review. Because the show isn’t any good? No, not really. It’s because the newest show from Food Network, Kid in a Candy Store, isn’t new. Adam Gertler is just as charming as he was when he (and three other people) should have beaten out Aaron McCargo Jr. on NFNS 4. It’s the format of the show. There is nothing really new about it.
If you liked Food Finds, Will Work For Food, Unwrapped, Food Tech, Road Tasted (with either the Neely’s or the Deen’s), Man vs. Food, FoodCrafters, Unique Eats, Follow That Food or How’d That Get on My Plate? then you’ll like Kid in a Candy Store. It is pretty much those shows. Only it’s just about desserts. I’m sure for those of you with strong sweet teeth it will be a fun variation of a tried and true formula with an amusing and talented host. As for me, I’m not a big dessert guy. My idea of the perfect dessert is a second cheeseburger.
It is certainly better than Cupcake Wars.
Be sure to check out this recent interview with Adam Gertler.
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Adam Gertler is a “Kid in a Candy Store”
Food Network’s new sweet treat, Kid in a Candy Store, is set to debut July 12 with NFNS 4 alum Adam Gertler playing the part of a real life Willy Wonka. To help publicize the series the folks at FoodNetwork.com did a great interview with Adam that touches on his NFNS days and what he’s done since the show ended. Here’s a taste:
Where are you living and working now?
I’m currently living in Venice Beach, Calif., which has led to much ridicule from my East Coast friends for being a “sellout.” I will accept this moniker in exchange for the weather and being six blocks from the beach. I work (if one could call it that) all over the country in any given city on any given day.
What have you been up to since NFNS?
I began my Food Network show, Will Work for Food, right after NFNS4, and I feel like I’m still stuck in the whirlwind. I did a special for FN called Extreme Sweets, followed by a series of “Freaky” specials for Fine Living Network, including Freakiest Festivals, Freakiest Foods and Freakiest Vacations. These have all been travel shows mostly involving the world of food throughout the country.
I recently participated in episodes of Food Network Challenge and Chefs Vs. City, both of which were incredibly fun and educational experiences. Most recently I began working on Kid In A Candy Store for The Food Network. This is a show where we travel the country to discover the most delicious, creative and unusual desserts out there, which reminds me I have to call my dentist today and schedule an appointment.
What was your favorite thing about being on NFNS? And your least favorite?
I met some friends that I plan on having for the rest of my life. I got to bring the two things I love to do most in this world together and somebody put it on camera. It would be an understatement to say that being on the show was a life-changing experience. My least favorite thing about being on the show was watching the mistakes that I made on TV and just kicking myself. I often found myself saying, “Dude, did you really just do that?”, “What were you thinking?”, “Why weren’t you thinking?” and many other incredulous reactions to my behavior.
Do you keep in touch with other finalists?
I do still keep in touch with several of the finalists from my season. In the past few months I’ve hung out with Lisa Garza, Kevin Roberts, Shane Lyons and, of course, Big Daddy himself, Aaron McCargo Jr., who is just the coolest, truest, most talented dude. I’d be on his team any day.
What was the funniest/coolest/weirdest (or worst!) incident to happen behind the scenes?
ICA: Mendholson vs Symon – Outcome
Iron Chef Michael Symon was triumphant in Battle: Prosciutto.
