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'The Next Food Network Star' Finale Predictions
by Allison Waldman, posted Aug 13th 2010 6:00PM
The season finale 'The Next Food Network' airs Sunday at 9PM ET, and if you've been watching since the first episode, you know that it's been a good competition. All the three finalists -- Aarti Sequeira, Herb Mesa, and Tom Pizzica -- seem to have a good shot at winning the top prize. We have our own thoughts about who would excel with his or her own Food Network television show, but if you've studied the judges' reaction, one candidate seems to have the inside track to victory.
Check out our analysis of who will be 'The Next Food Network Star,' starting with the chef most likely to win ...
1. 'The Next Food Network Star' Will Be ... Aarti Sequeira.More than any other contestant, Aarti has won over the judges. They admire her tenacity and grace. They gushed over her food last Sunday during the 'Iron Chef America' challenge. Even though she's not a chef and has no experience in a professional kitchen -- and she does not work quickly -- they have overlooked the negatives and appreciated the positives. Yes, she has failed spectacularly, like serving mushy rice, but they've always moved her along.
What's the reason for the pass? Perhaps it's that background as a CNN producer. Also Aarti's proposed show, 'Aarti's Party,' would be an Indian-themed program, which is a niche that's yet to be covered by any other Food Network star. Aarti would represent the kind of expansion into other kinds of food that the network wants.
Finally, Aarti's vivaciousness and bright smile have a strong telegenic appear. When you compare her to Giada DeLaurentiis or Rachael Ray, you can see a similarity and Aarti seems well-suited to promoting the network and her brand -- given some PR schooling and confidence-building.
2. And the first runner up is ... Tom Pizzica.Through most of the season, Tom has been very high, and very low, depending on the challenge. But when he's succeeded, the judges have really been dazzled. Tom has the bold, adventurer quality that could make any show he created a lot of fun. But he doesn't have a strong, specific point of view, which might hurt him in the end.
As for his personal style, Tom's very good on camera. In the Eva Longoria episode, Tom's interpretation of the word jealousy as a "fairy tale" battle between two types of tuna was both unique and winning. It was a season high point.
However, his huge risk during the 'Iron Chef America' challenge -- making a bacon steak that was inedible -- nearly got him booted from the show. During the commentary section, however, Tom was superb.
Should Aarti be upset, Tom's the likely guy to be named the winner. His Seth Rogen quality, with a dash of Guy Fieri, is very workable for the Food Network gurus. He has some real star potential.
3. Least likely to win ... Herb Mesa.No offense to Herb, but he's struggled throughout the competition. At one point, he seemed emotionally checked out, but managed to bounce back. To his credit, though, in the 'Iron Chef America' challenge, he did very well with two of three shrimp dishes and might have won the whole thing if he had taken two minutes to clean the clams for the seafood broth.
Ironically, if he had won that challenge, it would have been his only solo victory. In the previous episodes, unlike Aarti and Tom who have racked up solo wins, Herb just won only once ... and that was in partnership with Brianna.
However, when all is said and done, Herb's been too unsure of himself and his goals to be the top guy. Once before the Food Network went with a contestant who's heart was not in the process.
In season 3, Amy Finley was named 'The Next Food Network Star,' but she had at one point removed herself from the competition. A controversy with another contestant put her back in the running. So she was the winner, and after just six episodes of a show called 'The Gourmet Next Door,' she flaked out on them and walked away from the network.
Herb's emotion have gotten the better of him during season 6. Will Food Network risk a show on another potentially unsure chef? I don't think so.
So, those are our predictions. What do you think? Share your comments and thoughts before Sunday's broadcast on the Food Network.
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