We recap the search up to this
point, with early cooking memories of Jess, Beth, Evette,
Andy, Nathan, Clarissa, Guy and Reggie. And we recap all the
memories of Sandra Lee, Alton Brown, Rachael Ray, Giada De
Laurentiis, Paula Deen and Dan & Steve. We review the
selection committee of Flay, Fogelson & Tuschman. We see
positive comments given to all the finalists. And we review
all the challenges from a Guy and Reggie-centric point of
view.
Marc is with the finalists and
Bobby Flay. Flay and the finalists are cooking a dinner for
Food Network Executives--or so they think. What the
finalists don't know is that they are cooking a meal for the
rest of the eliminated competitors. Guy creates a Lobster
Avocado Cocktail. Flay creates a roasted Pork Loin with a
Sweet Potato Tamale. Reggie creates a Fig Tart with
Mascarpone cheese and Pistachio Brittle. Flay gifts them
with cooking knives. Guy said cooking with Bobby Flay was
cool. Flay lets in on Iron Chef. We see the prep and Reggie
says that Flay let him in on his cooking philosophy. He was
awesome and I added some stuff to my repertoire. Guy calls
Flay "The General in the Food Army". He jokes about making
1200 dishes like this a day. He jokes around with them some
more saying the show would be "Sunday Dinners with Bobby,
Guy and Reggie". After the food prep is done, he leaves and
says, "You are on your own."
The finalists arrive and Marc
lets Guy and Reggie in on the surprise. Hugs and kisses all
around and Marc toasts the finalists with a toast of
"success". Reggie called Flay "Bobby Flawless" after cooking
with him. Evette's lesson from this was "How to a filet a
fish." Beth thought the Green Room was the best part. We see
clips of the contestants goofing around. Andy said, "You
dont realize how big this is." Nathan said the most
difficult mission was the basket switcheroo with Dave
Lieberman. As the Pork is served, Carissa said "Everyone is
real on and off screen(meaning the Food Network chefs) Guy
said laughing was the easiest thing to do here. Jess said
she was shocked how many people were in the stuido to make
the show happen. Guy said the show should inspire more
people to take the leap and try this. "This was a phenomenal
opportunity."
As the fig tart was served,
Reggie said this was a great opportunity as well. "I took
the chance and said 'Let's Go For It'." Marc said that the
cameras were on all the time, even at times when they didn't
think they were on. We see a series of funny clips and
bloopers when they were a bit punchy.
Marc interviews Reggie one on
one. He said "Making the Final 2 was overwhelming. Everyone
knows I am a big crybaby." How will this affect him? He will
take everything he learned to work with him. He knows he
will cook faster. He felt the most difficult challenge was
the pilot. You needed to bring everything together. "Paula
was there and there was a lot going on. Paula is divine. Her
one piece of advice he would take is "Just be yourself." His
family doesn't get it yet, until they see it. Cooking
reminds him of good times.
Next it's Guy's turn. He jokes
that this has been "Off The Hook". He says this is like
opening a restaurant. The hardest thing was sitting in the
green room. He felt the time was unproductive. He read every
cookbook. But there was no cell phone or PlayStation. He
said this was the longest time he was away from his son.
Hunter joked every time that he called him that "he would
help cut the onions" on his show. (Hunter is 9.) Guy also
learned about "Negative Space on a plate" from Bobby. He
also said he needed to get into baking a bit more, because
Reggie is amazing. He said win or lose this experience is
amazing. "I met great people the finalists), the great
chefs, and have great memories and great appreciation for
what they do. He said that America has stopped cooking and
that the Food Network has helped the country in reimagining
the world with food."
We go to Silver Lake, California
which is Reggie's hometown. This was taped last week. Reggie
said life has been busy since he got back. The cafe has been
busier and the food's been bolder. He explains to a customer
about a new flavored cookie. He said celebrity has been
overwhelming. He is happy when he heard people said, "I made
your pea soup." They show his audition tape. We see his
friends and family watch as he made the finals. The owner of
the cafe Jackie Joniec is very proud of him. He says that
this a turning point for him.
Now we go to the home of
Guy...Santa Rosa. He says he is running 3 restaurants,
opening a 4th and another change has happened since the show
ended...his new son Ryder who was born 9 pounds and 22". He
was blessed to have a healthy baby. He said leaving Hunter
was tough, but he loved to hear him in charge at home. The
whole town was behind Guy. One of the things he got to do
was a fund raiser for a children's center. We see his
audition tape and we see 30 friends and family watch Guy
make the final 2. Penny, Guy's mom is proud. He is stoked,
win or lose.
Reggie said this was one big
roller coaster. Guy said this was out of control. We see the
two finalists shake hands and enter the studios of the Food
Network! We are live-to-tape as there is a big crowd with
all the finalists. Reggie said the ride was incredible. Guy
said this was an incredible trip to learn and cook with all
the chefs. Marc has a few surprises, the first being the
only chef we haven't seen yet...the man who built the Food
Network...Emeril Lagasse! Emeril congratulates all the
finalists. He talks about the early days of Food Network. He
didn't know how to talk to the camera, but he learned to how
make that connection to the camera. He was being himself and
he had nothing to lose.
The 2nd surprise was the
President of Food Network...Brooke Johnson. She thanks all
the chefs and the final two.
She shows a contract for a 6 episode show starting in June.
And work on it starts tomorrow. Emeril looks at it and
jokes..."It's Real!" And tomorrow, April 24, you will cook
on the CBS Early Show!
We get the finalists reaction on who will win. The 3rd
surprise is that Reggie's Mom, Dad and Stepmom are here.
Guy's wife and Hunter are here. Emeril quizzes both families
and gives Hunter a copy of his kids cookbook.
Time to announce the winner.
Reggie is happy to be here. Guy said this was amazing. The
selection committee(Flay, Fogelson and Tuschman) bring in
the envelope under a dome of sugar. After Flay said, "You
built this house, now break it down..." Emeril gently breaks
the dome of sugar and takes the envelope. And the winner of
the 2nd "Next Food Network Star" is....
GUY FIERI!!!!
Confetti explodes, balloons
fall. Guy said he is "on top of the world". It's amazing and
he complements Reggie. "He deserves a show too." They hug.
Hunter is really happy. Guy's face is on Times Square
announcing his win. Emeril toasts everyone and Marc
announces Guy's show will debut June 25 on the Food Network.
And as more balloons fall we end the 2nd Next Food Network
Star...
...but Food Network is looking
for more chefs to be on TV. There will be a 3RD edition of
this excellent show. Go to
http://www.foodnetwork.com for more information.
Food Network has done itself
proud with this show. It improved on it's excellent first
show and I will be back for Season 3. For Game Show News
Net, this is Jason Block wishing you good food, good times
and a good life! Cheers!
