Secrets of a Restaurant Chef
Handicapping Next Iron Chef 4
We’re just seven days away from the premiere of Next Iron Chef 4 and one thing is for sure, this cast is sick! Easily the best line-up since the original NIC which included Traci de Jardins, John Besh, Gavin Kaysen, Aaron Sanchez, Chris Cosentino and eventual winner Michael Symon to name a few.
Dig this roster: Anne Burrell, Michael Chiarello, Elizabeth Faulkner, Alex Guarnaschelli, Chuck Hughes, Robert Irvine, Beau MacMillan, Spike Mendelsohn, Marcus Samuelsson and Geoffrey Zakarian. That is some serious chef knowledge right there. The international panel of judges is hefty as well featuring the original ‘Next Iron Chef’ Michael Symon, esteemed food journalist Simon Majumdar and UK Iron Chef Judy Joo.
My money is on Anne Burrell and here’s why:
- Demographics. All indications are that Cat Cora is giving up her spot in the pantheon and ideally the Network probably wants a woman to replace her. Only a fool would think that those kinds of things do not play a part in who wins so-called reality TV contests.
- There is currently no Iron Chef with a strong Italian cuisine background.
- Those reasons are superfluous compared to the fact that Burrell is a ferocious competitor; ask Robert Irvine.
- But to me this is the real kicker – Anne has competed in Kitchen Stadium some twenty times as Mario Batali’s sous chef. There is no replacement for experience.
In the month leading up to the premiere of NIC 4 I have noticed a great deal of Anne Burrell in the news including her first cookbook (Cook Like A Rock Star available at amazon) and tons of TV appearances. The media push included appearances on Access Hollywood and ABC’s The Chew where she announced that she was set to begin filming season nine of Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and season three of Worst Cook in America which will be co-hosted by Bobby Flay. I’m not saying the Burrell buzz means she’ll win NIC 4 but it is worth noting.
I also wouldn’t count out Elizabeth Faulkner. Like Forgione last year she comes in as a dark horse but she also used to be Cat’s pastry chef and has been in Kitchen Stadium a few times. Faulkner also represents demographic gold. NIC 4 is hosted by Alton Brown and premieres Sunday, October 30th at 9pm ET/PT. Be sure to check out my exclusive interviews with contestant Alex Guarnaschelli HERE and judge Michael Symon HERE.
Food Network Scorches Summer with Heat Seekers
NEW YORK – June 16, 2011 – Summer‘s heating up on Food Network with two new series, seven new seasons and five premiere episodes of its number one show, Food Network Star. It’s raining men in the series premiere of Heat Seekers as Aarón Sanchez and Roger Mooking take the country by storm in a sizzling search of the nation’s spiciest food beginning Friday, July 22nd at 10pm, and two cacophonous New Jersey sisters get down to baking business in the new series Tough Cookies (WT) premiering Monday, July 11th at 10pm. Summer fun doesn’t stop there as Robert Irvine returns to save the day in season two of Restaurant: Impossible premiering Wednesday, July 6th at 10pm while the suspense builds and contestants dwindle in premiere episodes of Food Network Star on Sundays at 9pm. Things are getting busy “In the Kitchen” with six daytime season premieres, and the action continues with countless premiere episodes of Food Network favorites including Iron Chef America and Food Network Challenge. Join the Food Network conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
Food Network May 2011 Highlights
Press Release from Food Network:
Food Network Crowns Cake Cavalier on ‘Last Cake Standing’ Season Finale and Names BBQ King in New Series ‘Best In Smoke’
Season Premieres: Paula’s Best Dishes, Guy’s Big Bite, Diners Drive-Ins and Dives, Chopped
On-Air and Online “In the Kitchen” Theme Weekend: Mother’s Day

“Worst Cooks in America” Shake-up
When I first saw that Dinner Impossible star Robert Irvine was replacing Beau MacMillan as Anne Burrell’s foil on Worst Cooks in America I thought it was just a chemistry thing. But it appears MacMillan’s departure was predicated on some legal issues he is having in Arizona. Check this out from Scottsdale Arizona News:
According to police documents, Food Network star Beau James MacMillan, 38, of Scottsdale, was arrested Sunday afternoon on a warrant for failure to appear, a misdemeanor.
The report says MacMillan was stopped by Scottsdale PD on 21900 North Pima Rd. at 12:55 p.m. on February 7 for fail to stop correctly at the traffic signal while turning southbound on to Pima Rd. from Pinnacle Peak Rd.
The report says police checked the license status of MacMillan which returned “Restricted – to and from work only” out of Arizona. Beau MacMillan told the officer that he was on his way to work at the Sanctuary Resort. The officer performed a wants and warrant check for MacMillan and he had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest for failing to appear in the Scottsdale City Court.
Stuart in 80 Words or Less
Help with Gulf Oil Spill Recovery
Stuart’s Honors & Awards
2015 4th Place Downtown Cajun Cook-off
2015 2nd Place Fins' Wings & Chili Cook-off
2014 2015 4th Place LA Gumbo Cook-off
2012 Taste Award nominee for best chef (web)
2012 Finalist in the Safeway Next Chef Contest
2011 Taste Award Nominee for Little Grill Big Flavor
2011, 12 Member: Council of Media Tastemakers
2011 Judge: 29th Chef's of the Coast Cook-off
2011 Judge: Dauphin Island Wing Cook-off
2011 Cooking Channel Perfect 3 Recipe Finalist
2011 Judge: Dauphin Island Gumbo Cook-off
2011 Culinary Hall of Fame Member
2010 Tasty Awards Judge
2010 Judge: Bayou La Batre Gumbo Cook-off
2010 Gourmand World Cookbook Award Nominee
2010 Chef2Chef Top 10 Best Food Blogs
2010 Denay's Top 10 Best Food Blogs
2009 2nd Place Bay Area Food Bank Chef Challenge
2008 Tava: Discovery Contest Runner-up
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