Food Network Star recap: Big game food scores wins for the guys

The final four finalists on Food Network Star came ready to play. While big game food scored wins for the guys, the last woman standing went back to the bench.

The clock is running down. With only a few episodes left, the pressure is on to become the next Food Network Star. Throughout the season, the finalists have tackled all types of challenges. But, this week’s sport-centric challenge didn’t end in an upset. Big game food scored another win for the guys.

This season of Food Network Star has been filled with drama both on the show and in the fan chat rooms. One of the finalists, Jason, is clearly a fan favorite. His fan base is strong, and vocal on social media. For every Jason fan, there is a Matthew hater. His over the top personality can rub some people the wrong way. Unfortunately, with these two battling for attention, the remaining finalists get overlooked.

Last week, Amy was saved and Cory was sent home. The chat rooms were buzzing about Amy’s chicken dish. Since she didn’t wash her hands, the judges refused to taste it. But Amy stayed and Cory was sent packing. Questions started flying about. Was there a sink? Why didn’t she have a wash bowl? How did an uneaten dish warrant her staying?  Still, Amy lived to cook another day, just another day.

Before the big game mash-up dishes took the field, the finalists did a food truck live segment. Food trucks are still a popular phenomenon. Whether it is the quick lunch bite or the food truck weekend gathering, these portable restaurants offer some amazing foods. Unfortunately, only one finalist got the memo about showing the food.

Food Network Star, food truck segment, photo from Food Network

Much to the chagrin of many fans, Matthew won the food truck live segment challenge. He did a really good job of showing the food, answering questions and being watchable. The segment was good (and I’m not a Matthew fan). He got the point that he wasn’t just selling himself, but he was also selling a product.

Unfortunately, the other three finalists were not so great. Jason did an acceptable job, but he ran out of time. Rusty overshadowed his food truck guest. Amy was more relaxed, but a little too “zany” for some people.

Since Matthew won the first challenge, his elimination challenge advantage was selecting the big game mash-up dishes for everyone. Of course, there is strategy for picking opponents’ dishes. The food television show is still a competition. No one should hand an opponent a winning dish.

Food Network Star, mash-up food, photo from Food Network

Each finalist had to create a mash-up dish of two popular big game food options. However, the combinations weren’t common. For example, Jason had chili deviled eggs and Rusty had loaded potato hot dogs. These foods are great separate. But combined into a single dish, the final product could be a scary frankenfood.

Additionally, the four finalists presented the dishes during a combined television program. Broken into four segments, each person had to share their dish, talk to each other, relate it back to the theme and their own culinary point of view. While two scored big, the other two fumbled the ball when it counted.

As much as I don’t want to admit it, Matthew did well again. His dish was a little funky. The buffalo pizza pocket needed blue cheese, but his presentation was good. A high energy level without being annoying helped push him into the final three.

Jason’s dish, the chili deviled eggs, was quite tasty. Unfortunately, his presentation was a little off. Cutting his eggs in half did not make for good television. What guy eats half a deviled egg while watching the game? Still, Jason is the finalist to beat. Every week he gets a good cooking tip into the segments, and he is fun to watch.

Food Network Star, bottom two, photo from Food Network

Rusty and Amy were in the bottom. While there was no cross contamination issues, both of their dishes were lacking. Amy’s nacho slider had no chips. How can you have nachos without chips, or at least something crunchy? Rusty’s loaded potato hot dogs had to be the hardest dish. He did deliver on flavor, but the food was a little difficult to eat.

The presentation lead to both their downfall. Rusty’s “I got stuck” lead comment was a huge mistake. We know that he got stuck, but you’re on television. No one wants to hear negative comments from people on television. Television consists of escapism and happy times.

Also, he mispronounced a word, cloche. Truthfully, does anyone use that word in real life? No one uses a cloche except on food television shows. Maybe he should have said, “What’s under the big silver dome?”

Amy’s presentation was the presentation that viewers have come to expect. Unfortunately, she stumbled over her words, didn’t wrap up the program and made a bunch of other mistakes. Still, there is something about watching her mess up. Maybe it’s like a car crash. You don’t want to look, yet you can’t turn away.

Food Network personalities, photo from Food Network

With the scores tallied, Amy was sent packing. The men are the last finalists standing. I’m sure that the rumor sites are buzzing about some little tidbit that everyone overlooked. Really, I think that this season has been more about Food Network introducing its new hosts on each episode (the new Iron Chef Showdown co-host was this week’s guest judge).

Next: Food Network Star predictions, what if Jason doesn't win?

Can Jason win it all and become the next Food Network Star? Big game food scored a victory for the men, but only one finalist will get the title. Is there an upset in the works? Tune in next week to find out.