The Food Network Star finalists are at the halfway to stardom point. Hitting their stride, the finalists must pass midterms and throw a classic summer gathering.
In this week’s episode of Food Network Star, the finalists needed to show the judges that they have made improvements over the first half of the season. Now that they are halfway to stardom, the same mistakes or missteps aren’t overlooked. After passing midterms, the finalists threw a classic summer gathering. But, would viewers want to share a table with these finalists?
Food television is a tricky genre. Truthfully, the show is really about the food. However, a bunch of food photos with a recipe voiceover isn’t must see television. Viewers have to be invested in the people presenting the food, recipe or other food related topic. Food Network Star builds that viewer investment.
During the first challenge, the midterm, finalists had to create a potato dish and present a 1-minute video about their dish. The challenge is similar to a Food Network Magazine monthly feature. Reimagining a popular or typical ingredient is more difficult than it sounds. A potato dish, with potato being the star ingredient, isn’t a simple task.
Food Network Star, halfway to stardom potato challenge, photo from Food Network
Looking just at the potato dishes, a few creations stood out. First, Cory’s sweet potato hash with apples was a beautifully composed dish. The different textures and bright flavors were a huge hit. Rusty’s purple potato cakes were crispy and flavorful. The tomato and beet garnish was a perfect balance to the potatoes.
When it comes to television persona, everyone knows that Jason is the leader. But, sometimes his memorable one-liners can overpower everything else that he does. Yes, his uptown sweet potato used the Jason trinity of bacon, bourbon and butter, but the quick wit can overshadow his cooking authority.
Unfortunately, Matthew, David and Addie stumbled in their presentations. While their dishes were good, the on camera presentation lacked charisma. The word delicious doesn’t describe the flavors in a dish. Delicious is a Food Network banned word. Since these three keep making the same mistakes, these finalists aren’t making the grade.
Amy showed the most improvement. Her dish was slightly muddled, but the steak, potatoes and chimichurri sauce was a good example of her cooking ability. More importantly, her video presentation was stellar. She was relatable, warm and engaging. Amy won the mid-term challenge.
As the winner of the midterm challenge, Amy was able to choose her theme for the elimination challenge. Additionally, she was able to assign all the other themes. The theme assignments were a clear indication of who she thought was a threat.
This week’s elimination challenge featured classic summer gatherings. The themes were picnic in the park, Christmas in July, pool party, clam bake, Fourth of July, low country boil and garden party. Each finalist had to create a dish, featuring their culinary point of view, and incorporate the party theme. Some parties were memorable and other parties were over before they started.
Amy chose very strategic themes for each finalists. The big threats got themes that didn’t match their culinary point of view. For example, Rusty had to create a garden party (nothing says dainty garden party like a big, burly guy from Louisiana). Unfortunately, Amy’s choices may have backfired.
Food Network Star, Classic summer gathering, garden party, photo from Food Network
After all, every challenge has a twist. This summer party theme needed a summer refreshment. Each finalist had to incorporate Lipton Tea into the dish. The tea component and being able to taste the tea were keys to a successful challenge.
The biggest summer party success was Rusty. While Amy may have thought a garden party theme would crush the big man from Louisiana, Rusty was a huge winner. He completely embraced the challenge. The espresso dirt was creative and tasty. A colorful plate filled with garden vegetables balanced his point of view and the challenge. Rusty was one of two winners.
Food Network Star, Classic summer gathering, Fourth of July, photo from Food Network
Not that viewers would have guessed, Jason was the other top finalist. His theme, Fourth of July, was exactly what you would expect from this frontrunner. Everyone wanted to sit down at the picnic table with Jason. His dish, cornbread fired fish nuggets with tomato corn salad and firecracker sauce was big and bold, just like his personality. In this challenge, Jason found the balance between food authority and food personality.
As usual, Cory’s dish was a highlight. The use of potato salad in a gumbo was inventive. But, his presentation was lacking. Also, gumbo for Christmas in July was somewhat unusual.
Matthew did well with his ceviche for a pool party. His personality was less abrasive. The dish was refreshing and bright. Matthew still isn’t consistent. Still, he was safe.
David’s clam bake was middle of the road. He didn’t connect the clam bake to his culinary point of view. His personality was inviting, but his storytelling wasn’t there. The chowder was flavorful, yet heavy. Not the best for a summer gathering, but it kept him in the competition.
Amy was a big disappointment during the elimination challenge. After winning the midterm, her presentation was horrible. She was very nervous and the judges had to pull information from her. But, her lamb sandwiches were such a delightful choice for a picnic. Elevated with layered flavors, the food was a star, yet Amy was a dud. Still, she survived for another week.
Food Network Star, Classic summer gathering
The poised, almost boring, Addie couldn’t find any excitement. If she can’t show excitement about her food, why would anyone watching the show be excited? The idea to turn a low country boil into a party skewer was creative. The shrimp’s flavor was impressive, but her personality extinguished the flame. Addie was sent home.
Next: Food Network Star Salvation
In the end, most of the finalists made the most of their classic summer gathering. With just a few more weeks till the winner is crowned, the challenges should get tougher. The final five made it past the halfway to stardom mark. But, only one will become the next Food Network Star.