Posted by Starpulse.com on July 28, 2008 at 11:31:01:
Aaron Becomes The Next Food Network Star
After a brief recap of the entire season, each contestant went through their journey from who they were and what they were doing before they became the final three on season four of "The Next Food Network Star." Bob Tuschmann reminded them that this challenge would be their last, and it would dramatically change their lives from here on out.
For this challenge, they would be creating a fully produced pilot of their new show. They would be using Rachel Ray's kitchen, and it would be directed by Gordon Elliot, who produces a number of the shows on the Food Network. Each contestant's show would span four and a half minutes with a number of takes in between.
Gordon gave them time to put together a pitch, and each contestant went over it with him. Lisa brought three ideas, but Gordon felt that she should focus on making high-class foods accessible. Aaron was always known as Big Daddy at his house, so Gordon gave him the idea of going with that for his "Big and Bold" show. Adam brought the idea of having e-mails sent in to him on how to make items better, and Gordon suggested that they have a webcam in the show so the person could ask him questions as he makes the meal.
As Lisa began her pilot, she really struggled getting her takes to flow. She wasn't able to cook and look at the camera. Adam forgot that he was going to have someone on a call with him while he was cooking, and he said that there were a lot of questions she had. By the third take he was able to incorporate his humor but was still worried that he might not win. Aaron started out looking, as Gordon put it, "like a deer in headlights." He was talking too fast and tripping over his thoughts. He felt he didn't do well, but Gordon thought it was a great show and that he is a star just by being himself.
When it came time to show the pilots to the audience, Lisa's "Beautiful Basics" was first. Lisa was extremely charming. She was telling stories, and they were cute and funny. She even joked about how her sauce was accessorizing her dish. Bob Tuschmann was impressed with her confidence and her culinary knowledge, and Bobby said she was unpredictable and surprising in a good way.
Adam was next, and his pilot was called "Hungry in Philadelphia." His web-cam caller, Nicole, was suffering from Roast Chicken Blues. He was humorous and interactive with the caller and great, as Bob Tuschmann had said, "From the first second to the last." Susie Fogelson said that she learned a lot and that he "nailed it," and Bobby said everyone there wanted to taste his chicken.
Aaron said that he felt this was very challenging, but he loved it even after being nervous about seeing it. His pilot was called "Big Daddy's Kitchen," and even though his words seemed rushed and hard to understand at times, Bob said that he was everything they've been wanting to see, and Susie said he "created a world that she wanted to be a part of."
The judges deliberated, going through each contestant. Adam was easy to watch and technique was there. Aaron had a lot of ease and did everything they knew he could. Lisa made her sauce seem easy to cook and they found her knowledgeable. Any of the three were likable and intriguing, but in the end, Aaron ended up winning his own show, which will begin taping tomorrow and his first show will air next week. Congrats, Aaron!
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