foodies

i generally don't like reality shows, but certain kinds of competition make me pay attention (first season of The Apprentice, Amazing Race). because of someone totally hooked with the Food Network, i got roped into watching the Next Food Network Star. and what do you know, we're already down to 4 finalists from the original 8.

last weekend, the contestants were asked to deliver a 3-minute pitch to the network executives/judges, if they were to have their own cooking show. Prior to that, school was in session when Alton Brown coached them on how to do the pitch, and tracked them with cameras around groceries and supermarkets when they were doing their video shoots.

by the way, the other week they had Giada De Laurentiis as their teacher of the week. you bet i didn't miss that.

so let's have a quick rundown:


Andy Schumacher

Brooklyn transplant started already getting more upbeat and less aloof with his audience interaction then his pitch got shot down, 'cause it kind of meandered around. too bad - he was a nice guy. you could see him tearing up as he walked out of the building and into a cab a-la ending of The Apprentice.



Carissa Seward

managed to survive the 2 previous weeks where she barely outdid the other 2 girls (who are now obviously out). Alton wanted her to tone down the glamour, but her pitch on things French was simple enough for the judges to like. as its shaping up, she will be in the final 3 with Guy and Nathan.



Guy Fieri

Mr. CookTech, the most affable and charming person in the bunch, and gets my vote to win this competition. now if he could just tone down his 'Cooking Insider' act and make things easy and understandable enough for us laymen (primarily cooking neanderthals - nay, amoeba, like me).



Nathan Lyon

i suspect his toothpaste smile and telegenic hunk persona lets him off the hook week after week, and now he's gotten to the final 4 - it'll be down the wire with Guy and him. if this were The Apprentice, he'd leave a trail of bodies in his wake. if he doesn't make it here, he can still audition for Lex Luthor in Superman Lives.



Reggie Southerland

gender jokes aside, Reggie is basically a baker who got lucky to get this far. his friendliness and sass is a plus, but then what the hell - i havent tasted any of his cooking (nor the others anyway). will be eliminated this weekend.

as the polling goes, viewers agree with me.



now if only i had the patience to cook (no, someone's spoiling me, thats why ...)
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photos from foodnetwork.com