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On Chops and Racks — Next Food Network Star
By oceanguy | July 16, 2007
rack - portion of the rib section usually of a lamb, and usually containing eight ribs
chops - small cuts of meat ideally from the loin or including part of a rib
So now we’re down to 2, and it’s now up to the voters…
Do we want the rack or the chops? … and no, we’re not talking lamb.
As readers here will know, it was no real surprise that JAG was asked to or decided to leave the competition. If the Food Network gave him the chance to make the call it was classy on their part. If JAG decided on his own, it was the right thing to do… and as things apparently unfolded, JAG really didn’t want the media scrutiny of his past. He probably needs to put some time between the tough time and the man he is now to be able to better deal with things. It’s just a shame that he stuck around as long as he did… I’d have liked to see Paul go to the vote with Rory. Oh well, JAG’s out of it, and either Amy Finley or Rory Schepisi will be the Next Food Network Star.
It was very nice to see all three contestants do well on the “Meet the Press” final challenge during their 5 minute segment on Rachael Ray’s show. Of the three, I thought Rory was the most genuine and most comfortable in her own skin. She did a great job, even if she did upstage Rachael… which is not an easy thing to do… Which fits perfectly with my line of thinking that this Next Food Network Star is really a replacement for the Rachael Ray the Network had a couple of years ago… young, fresh, and new as well as someone we home cooks can identify with. Rachael’s star is really shining now. She is much more a star than she is like all of us, and her 30 minute meals show, although still current, is getting over-used and doesn’t match her new persona. That show’s niche, hosted by the vivacious and approachable home cook, is empty. They need a big new personality that is NOT yet a real star. Someone approachable, watchable and fun. Rory fits that bill, and showed it last night.
JAG also did well when the lights came on, probably turning in his best performance of the series. There was something about it though that bothered me. He seemed a bit phony… there was just too big a difference between the persona he was trying to project and the real JAG we saw behind the scenes and the angry JAG that popped out a few times in the competition. Again, he has some demons in his past that he needs to exorcise before he attempts a public life.
Speaking of living a public life, I’m not sure Amy really wants to expose herself to that. As she said last night, she realizes that the Amy people like to see is the mommy and every day person, not the “snooty French girl.” Well… from her breakdown a couple of weeks ago we learned she isn’t real confident in her abilities compared to the other contenders, she doesn’t want to expose her private life, and she doesn’t really know if she wants the job. She wants to win, but I don’t think she really wants the life of a Food Network Star. Anyway, when given the limelight on Rachael’s show, she reverted to the “Snooty French Girl” role, showing no confidence in who she really is. It wasn’t that she did a bad job, she didn’t, but it was not the Amy that got her that far. If you ignore JAG’s extracurricular problems, it was the right decision to send Amy home.
But she’s back… and as predicted the final vote is Amy vs Rory. You can text 36636 and send A. for Amy or B. for Rory, to send in your vote. And you can go to the Next Food Network Star website and cast your vote there. So who will win.
One word that’s been bugging me this series is “chops.” Susie Fogleson seemed to be the biggest offender, but “you have the food chops,” was a common compliment to all of the finalists. I take it to mean they have the requisite food education, experience, and knowledge to be employed at the Food Network as an on camera talent. Amy, certainly has the cooking chops to be the winner. But it’s not that Rory doesn’t have enough “cooking chops” but Amy seems to have a slightly more refined education and culinary style. Is it the reality? I have no idea, but it’s the way she was portrayed. Still, at least in my mind, it doesn’t matter if one is slightly more refined than the other. As long as a high threshold of cooking talent is cleared, then the deciding factor can be TV presence and personality. It is that category that Rory seems to have a decided advantage.
As I mentioned earlier, Rory is very comfortable being herself… even, as in the Iron Chef commentary portion, when the bubbly personality was almost off-putting. She comes across as genuine… Perhaps her cooking was a little up and down during the competition, but her personality was not. Even while presenting that disaster of a wedding cake, she was pretty consistent. We know what we’re getting regardless of the situation. On the other hand, Amy was a little unsure and uncomfortable with herself. So although Rory is likely to have those who don’t like her… don’t we all?… I think her consistency, confidence, and comfort with who she is, will make her the Next Food Network Star.
Anyway, Chops advantage goes to Amy… and, as it is even recognized by Amy, the Rack advantage goes to Rory… And my meaningless prediction is: The voters will pick the rack over the chops…
Tune in on Sunday night July 22 to find out. And vote for your favorite until 9pm Tuesday July 17.
Others Blogging about the Next Food Network Star:
Fuse This
Amanda Key
Insufferable Know-it-All
Musings of a southern girl at heart
Second Helpings
Route 66 News
MOMinuteman
Ashtyn Evans
Bend Oregon Restaurants
Topics: Foodie Love, Next Food Network Star |
July 16th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
[…] to check for comments and to write some articles. In the midst of my research, I came across a pingback from a new site. I went over to check out the site and to see what they had to say about The Next […]
July 16th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Seriously, the whole Jag thing is horribly disgusting. He acts like it is no big deal. He purposely and maliciously deceived everyone, took advantage of them and then acted like a crazy person when he was called on something. It is STILL shrouded in secrecy. Way messed-up. While Rory has a done a good job, I just think she would be so unappealing to watch. I know that this is mean, but really, those gums!!! It just is stomach-turning and to link it with food, I don’t think so. So if she could just keep her mouth slightly closed it would not be so bad.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
JAG would have been a great Food Network Chef. I was hoping he’d win (instead of getting booted for BS) because he really tried to communicate what he was cooking, what was in the item he was preparing, why and how to make it (which he was admonished for) Is there any other reason to watch a Food Network program other than wanting to know how to make the dish being prepared?
So long JAG, you’ll go down in infamy as the Latino Chef we were supposed to be watching. Now we’re going to get another female chef - its not fair.
July 17th, 2007 at 4:23 am
The fact that JAG with his sketchy past kept Paul from staying on another week (who, by the way, would have shined in all the media challenges), is enough to make me want to send the guy home. Bring back Paul!
Seriously, though, I agree that Rory is more personable, easier to relate to. Her cooking is messy but fun, and her food is unpretentious but delicious. Just like a great casual dining restaurant. Backyard bistro. It all fits.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:36 pm
The only person who I felt was fresh, exciting, fun and a unique addition to the Food Network was Paul. I don’t like to play the “queer” card so blatantly — but lets face it, its in style and its a booming segment of the market (hello? Will and Grace, Queer Eye? Top Model? The entire Style Network?)
And playing on the Rachael Ray replacement theme, Rachael was never known for her cooking skills but for her big, aw-shucks, down-to-earth personality and her ability to deal with her own goofiness and clumsiness. Paul down to a tee.
Which also leads me to the next point: Rory is fake, is an attention-whound and lets face it, showing a ton of cleavage is one step away from the “casting couch”. On sheer likeability factor and being able to reconcile my own sense of ethics, I would rather watch a show but a culinary-trained “mommy” than a pair of boobs with teeth.