Food Network Star Episode 5 Elimination (Spoiler)

Well, it looks like the Food Network needs to work out the kinks with the twist of Star Salvation after Food Network Star this year.  If you have Comcast cable (possibly others, but I have not confirmed), the second episode of Star Salvation is already On Demand.  The latest eliminated contestant competes on Star Salvation, so with the second episode already available, we know who will be eliminated tomorrow during the Fourth of July episode.

If you want to know who was eliminated from episode 5 of Food Network Star and also who went home after the Star Salvation challenge (2 contestants were eliminated again), continue reading.

Ted Allen Announces He Is Engaged

News came out today that the Supreme Court was overturning the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), meaning same-sex couples who marry in states where it's legal will have the same federal benefits as married heterosexual couples.  This was a big win for same-sex marriage, and shortly after the announcement, Ted Allen from Chopped revealed that he was now engaged to his partner of 20 years, Barry Rice (pictured to the right).

Ted Tweeted the below:

Congrats to Ted!  He joins Anne Burrell and Bobby Deen as Food Network personalities that are currently engaged.

Paula Deen Today Show Interview - Video

Paula Deen was on the Today show today as expected this morning to do a sit down interview with Matt Lauer.  The video of the interview is about 13 minutes and there are of course the softball questions, but Matt Lauer also asks some tough ones such as if she was there to stop the financial bleeding.

Paula said given the circumstances, she wouldn't have fired herself.  She said that only two sponsors have dropped her, but shortly after the interview, Caesars decided to drop her and closed four of her buffets.  Paula also said that she has never used the N-word since that day she was robbed and has only used it once.  She ended the interview crying and with the quote of "I is what I is and I'm not changing. There's someone evil out there who saw what I had and wanted it."


Video of the 13 minute interview is below, and I have updated the Paula Deen Timeline:

Pizza Dough Doughnuts is a Giada De Laurentiis Recipe

Last night on Food Network Star, Lovely Jackson was eliminated mostly due to the doughnuts she made as her dish in the movie challenge.  Chris was wondering why you would make doughnuts with pizza dough and it seemed to be the theme of the episode.  When the judges tried Lovely's doughnut, they overreacted and said they couldn't bite into the doughnut.

Then at the judging table, Giada De Laurentiis was giving the critique of Lovely and asked what she used to make the doughnuts, and when Lovely responded "pre-bought pizza dough,"  Giada gave her an eye roll.  She also said the doughnut was 'dense' and 'unservable.'

Well, guess what?  Giada uses Pizza Dough in her Italian Doughnut recipe on the Food Network website. 

Food Network Star - Star Salvation Episode 1

With the new twist this year of having an eliminated contestant come back on Food Network Star, it was announced tonight that a web-series call Star Salvation would be how it is determined who it is.  The first episode of Star Salvation is online now, and it is after the jump, so click to see who was eliminated for good from this season.

Food Network Star Season 9 - Episode 4 Recap

Photo - Food Network

In the fourth episode of Food Network Star, the nine remaining contestants were split into teams of three to create a menu and a 60-second movie trailer for a focus group of movie enthusiasts.  The focus group decides which meal they want to try based on the trailer, and then vote on which menu they liked the best.

This sounds like a challenge straight from Rachael Vs. Guy Celebrity Cook-Off and that is not a good thing.  The three different teams were: 1. Musical - Lovely Jackson, Chris Hodgson, and Rodney Henry, 2. Romance - Damaris Phillips, Viet Pham, and Chad Rosenthal, 3. Western - Russell Jackson, Nikki Dinki, Stacey Poon-Kinney.  Nikki Dinki should have an advantage over the other contestants, because as we know, she has done some acting in the past.

Here are how each of the contestants did during the creation of their trailer and the cooking of their menu:

Restaurant Impossible - Angelo's Restaurant Update

Tonight on Restaurant Impossible, Robert Irvine and crew are going to Woodstock, Illinois to help out Angelo's Restaurant.  The restaurant is right near Woodstock Square, which is where all of the outdoor scenes were shot for the movie Groundhog Day.  Cousins Angelo and Angelo are now in charge of the restaurant after their fathers opened it 40 years ago.  They still have the same menu, same decor, and lots of family drama.  As I normally do with Restaurant: Impossible episodes, I searched around the Internet to read stories, comments and reviews about Angelo's to get an idea of how the restaurant is doing since Robert Irvine visited, and here is what I found (note - all reviews are post Restaurant Impossible):

Paula Deen's Show Pulled From TV

If you were following the Paula Deen Scandal and the timeline I put together, (or do not live under a box) we found out yesterday that the Food Network would not be renewing Paula Deen's contract at the end of the month, essentially firing her.  There were not many details on if they were pulling her show off of the air, or anything like that.  If they do not pull her show off the air, with the way the Food Network airs reruns, we still may be seeing Paula Deen's show for another 20 years.

Her show Paula's Best Dishes was scheduled to air at 9:00am and 9:30am Eastern in its normal Saturday morning time slot on the Food Network.  So, when 9:00am rolled around, was her show going to air or would it be replaced with something else?  It seems they have pulled her show from TV.  Giada at Home was airing in that time slot today.

The Paula Deen Racism Scandal Timeline and Updates

Photo - Paula's Twitter

By now, I am sure you have all seen the countless amount of stories about 'Racist' Paula Deen and her lawsuit deposition.  I will give a timeline of what has happened so far regarding this story:

• On Wednesday June 19th, the National Enquirer ran a story saying they had video of Paula Deen's legal deposition from May 17th and it had her "racist confessions."


• After that story broke on Wednesday, other news agencies got their hands on the deposition and started writing stories such as "Paula Deen admits using the N-Word and telling Racist Jokes," where they picked select pieces of the deposition and didn't provide full context to make it sound juicier.

Which Food Network Star Appeared on The Sopranos?

Sad news came in yesterday that The Sopranos actor James Galdolfini passed away of an apparent heart attack while in Italy.  The Sopranos was one of the greatest TV series of all time, and this news left many people shocked and devastated.

Did you know that one of the contestants on this season of Food Network Star actually appeared on an episode of The Sopranos?  Nikki Dinki appeared in Season 6 of the show on the Johnny Cakes episode (episode 8).  She was in the episode a couple times, but very briefly.  In one scene she is talking to A.J. Soprano in a club, and a few minutes later, she is in her bra giving him a back rub on a couch.  Video of her scenes are below:

My Visit To a Taping of ABC's The Chew

Here is a somewhat Food Network-related post with Michael Symon and Mario Batali being co-hosts of The Chew.  Yesterday I made a trip to New York to attend a taping of The Chew.  This was a 12:00pm taping, and was the second show they had filmed that day.  The show aired today, so just wanted let you know how it was and also share a few pictures I was able to get after the show.

• Mario Batali came out before the show and waved to everyone and shook everyone's hand at the tasting table.  When the show was done taping, he exited the stage right away, which is why I don't have any pictures of him.

Food Network Shows Win 3 Daytime Emmy Awards

Last night was the 40th annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony, and the Food Network took home three Daytime Emmy awards.  The Food Network had 10 nominations in four different categories, and ended up winning two of the four categories.  The reason they won three awards in just two categories is because Best Thing I Ever Made and Trisha's Southern Kitchen tied for Outstanding Culinary Program (beating out Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis).

The other Daytime Emmy won by the Food Network was for Guy's Family Reunion in the category of Special Class Special (beating Giada at Home).

Food Network Star Season 9 - Episode 3 Recap - Chopped

Photo - Food Network

In the third episode of Food Network Star, the contestants were each given an exotic ingredient, in which they had to identify and use that exotic ingredient in a dish.  The two contestants that did this the best did not have to compete in the next challenge, which was a Chopped competition.  No shock there as there is only room for four contestants in the Chopped kitchen, so they did two rounds of four.

After the exotic ingredient challenge, Rodney Henry and Damaris Phillips were determined the winners, so they did not have to compete in the Chopped challenge and were safe from elimination.  If you were hoping for a pie stuffed with basket ingredients or another shimmy, you were out of luck.  Here are some quick thoughts on how each of the contestants did during the Chopped challenge, in which Alex Guarnaschelli was a guest judge:

Restaurant Impossible - Pier West Update

Photo - Food Network

Tonight on Restaurant Impossible, Robert Irvine and crew are going to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin to help out the Pier West restaurant.  The restaurant has lake views, and owner Chip Wamsley has been making his family angrier and angrier with the restaurant going deeper into debt.  Robert seems to be the only one who has his back as he tries to turn the restaurant around and reunite the family.  As I normally do with Restaurant: Impossible episodes, I searched around the Internet to read stories, comments and reviews about Pier West to get an idea of how the restaurant is doing since Robert Irvine visited, and here is what I found (note - all reviews are post Restaurant Impossible):

University Grill From Restaurant Impossible Has Closed

Photo - Food Network

The University Grill in Burlington, North Carolina, which was featured in Season Three of Restaurant Impossible, has decided to close their business after selling it on Monday.  This was the episode where Elon University students painted a mural on the outside of the restaurant.  According to The Times-News, there was a hand-written sign on their door stating "Closed for vacation," but that the vacation was forever.

Owner Eleni Fotiou-Madren stated she sold the business so she could spend more time with her family.  She did state that the restaurant was busier since the Restaurant Impossible visit.  The Fotiou family still owns the building the restaurant was in, and the restaurant was for sale since August 2012 before the sale went through Monday.  The new owners plan to open an Italian Restaurant in the location.

'Hero' Charles Ramsey Worked at a Food Network Star's Restaurant

Here is a little bit of useless but interesting information related to Food Network Star.  Remember Charles Ramsey from Cleveland (pictured right), who heard screams from his neighbors home, and ended up rescuing three kidnapping victims?  His video interview with the news describing the rescue as well as his 911 call both went viral and he was an internet sensation last month.

Well, Charles happened to be working as a dishwasher at the restaurant of a Food Network Star contestant during this ordeal.  So which contestant's restaurant was it?

Food Network Star Season 9 - Episode 2 Recap - Burger Bash

In the second episode of Food Network Star, the contestants were tasked with creating a burger and presenting it to 100 burger enthusiasts in a two minute presentation.  The enthusiasts then decide whose burger they want to try based on the presentations by the Food Network Star contestants.

Here are some quick thoughts on how each of the contestants did with their presentations and how their burgers tasted:

• Nikki Dinki - Did a half veggie, half meat burger.  Seems like a way to turn off meat eaters by putting veggies in, and vegetarians by putting meat in.
• Andres Guillama - Went with a Cuban style burger.  Judges want him to play off the weight loss POV, but he doesn't want to.  Instead wants to teach men how to win over ladies by cooking.

Restaurant Impossible - Pinehurst Country Lodge Update

Photo - Food Network

Tonight on Restaurant Impossible, Robert Irvine and crew are going to Greeley, Pennsylvania to help out the Pinehurst Country Lodge.  After losing his successful corporate job, the owner Roger, who has no previous restaurant experience, purchased the Pinehurst Country Lodge.  After six months, he is now supposedly $350,000 in debt and on the verge of losing everything.  As I normally do with Restaurant: Impossible episodes, I searched around the Internet to read stories, comments and reviews about Pinehurst Country Lodge to get an idea of how the restaurant is doing since Robert Irvine visited, and here is what I found (note - all reviews are post Restaurant Impossible):

Where is Justin Warner?

With the new season of Food Network Star upon us, a lot of people keep asking me if I have any updates on Justin Warner.  So here are the most recent updates that I know of:

On June 2nd, Justin tweeted:

Also, in a recent (6-02) interview with Flavor HD, when asked what more we expect to see from him, he stated ("you knows" removed):

Watch Giada De Laurentiis on Conan From Last Night

Giada De Laurentiis was on the Conan show last night promoting Food Network Star, and wearing a red dress picked out by her fans on Twitter.  I guess they were interested in seeing a little cleavage.  In the first part of the segment, she teaches Conan how to say some words with an Italian accent.

In the second part of the segment, she does a cooking demonstration where they make chocolate linguini.  Both videos are after the jump if you are interested in watching them.

Paula Deen Now Selling Giant Tubs of Butter

Word came out today that Paula Deen is now selling 'Finishing Butters,' which are available at Walmart.  Eater has a good recap with all of the information and recent videos of her discreetly pushing it on The Chew and Today shows.

The butter flavors she is selling are: Southern Grillin', European Style, Garden Herb, Lemon Dill, and Sweet Citrus Zest.  She also plans on selling tortilla chips and chocolate and the information is available on her website.  What I thought was funny, is that if you click on any of the flavors of butter, it has the dimensions listed as 4 Ft. X 8 Ft.  Y'all better have a truck for that.

Dean McDermott To Host Chopped Canada

Photo - Twitter

Dean McDermott, who was the winner of the 2nd season of Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, announced today that he will be the host of Chopped Canada.  They have not starting filming for the show yet, but all of the competitors have been cast.  The show is set to premiere some time in 2014 on Food Network Canada.

Dean was born and grew up in Canada, so he does have a link to Canada.  He tweeted the following to announce he was going to be the host of Chopped Canada:

Food Network Restaurant News

Photo - Twitter

There has been a lot of news lately regarding personalities from the Food Network opening up new restaurants.  So lets take a look at who has upcoming restaurant plans:

• Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto plans to open a restaurant in Las Vegas at The Mirage hotel.  This will be his first restaurant in Las Vegas, and the opening is scheduled for early 2014. (The Mirage)


• Next Iron Chef finalist Elizabeth Falkner has signed a deal to become the executive chef at Corvo Bianco in New York City.  The restaurant is scheduled to open in July, and Elizabeth recently left Krescendo in Brooklyn for this opportunity. (Grubstreet NY)

Garces Vs. Symon - Iron Chef America Tournament Of Champions Winner

Photo - Food Network

The final battle of Iron Chef America: Tournament of Champions had Iron Chef Michael Symon and his hat going up against Iron Chef Jose Garces, where the secret ingredient was pretzels.  Jose Garces defeated Marc Forgione and then Masahuru Morimoto to get here, while Michael Symon had a bye, and then defeated Geoffrey Zakarian.

With the new format of Iron Chef America, Iron Chef Symon was ahead by 5 after the first dish for receiving a 14, while Chef Garces received a 9.  The culinary curveball was then announced, in which the chefs had to incorporate blow torches into at least one of their dishes.

Food Network Star Season 9 - Episode 1 Recap

Photo - Food Network

Season nine of Food Network Star has begun, and in the first episode we got to see all of this season's contestants make a 30-second pitch tape for Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson.  They were mentored by Bobby Flay, Alton Brown, and Giada De Laurentiis while filming it.  Let's take a look at the contestants and how they did:

• Nikki Dinki - Food blogger who did very well in her pitch.  Going with the vegetarian theme that we see year after year.
• Andres Guillama - The token contestant who has lost weight and will have Alton Brown on his side because of that.
• Rodney Henry - Has been on Chopped, Throwdown, Paula Deen, and Down Home with The Neely's.  We will have to deal with his hat all season and countless references to Pies.
• Chris Hodgson - Was on Great Food Truck Race and fared well in his pitch.
• Connie "Lovely" Jackson - Was on Hell's Kitchen, and we will hearing about "Glam" all season long.