The Next Food Network Star (Season 5)
Encyclopedia
The fifth season of the American
reality television series The Next Food Network Star
premiered on Sunday, June 7, 2009. Food Network
executives, Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson, were joined by Bobby Flay
as the Selection Committee for this season, which was filmed early this year in Miami, Florida
and New York, New York.
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The winner learns that his or her recipe will be featured on the July 3-5th cover of USA WEEKEND Magazine, and another finalist is eliminated.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
reality television series The Next Food Network Star
The Next Food Network Star
The Next Food Network Star is a reality television series produced by and aired on the Food Network in the United States that awards the winner his or her own series on the Food Network...
premiered on Sunday, June 7, 2009. Food Network
Food Network
Food Network is a television specialty channel that airs both one-time and recurring programs about food and cooking. Scripps Networks Interactive owns 70 percent of the network, with Tribune Company controlling the remaining 30 percent....
executives, Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson, were joined by Bobby Flay
Bobby Flay
Robert William "Bobby" Flay is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur and reality television personality. He is the owner and executive chef of 12 restaurants: Mesa Grill in Las Vegas, New York City, and the Bahamas ; Bar Americain in New York City and Uncasville, Connecticut; Bobby Flay Steak...
as the Selection Committee for this season, which was filmed early this year in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
and New York, New York.
Eliminated
(In order of elimination)- Jen Isham, 30 — Orlando, FL; Sales ManagerSales managementSales management is a business discipline which is focused on the practical application of sales techniques and the management of a firm's sales operations. It is an important business function as net sales through the sale of products and servicess and resulting profit drive most commercial...
; (Culinary Point of View: Inexpensive, Pre-Planned Meals) - Brett August, 32 — New York, NY; Executive Sous Chef (Culinary Point of View: Italian-American CuisineItalian-American cuisineItalian American cuisine is the cuisine of Italian American immigrants and their descendents, who have modified Italian cuisine under the influence of American culture and immigration patterns of Italians to the United States...
) - Eddie Gilbert, 30 — Los Angeles, CA; Apprentice Chef (Culinary Point of View: Modernized Traditional Dishes)
- Teddy Folkman, 33 — Alexandria, VA; Restaurant Owner & Executive Chef (Culinary Point of View: Gourmet Bar Food)
- Katie Cavuto, 30 — Philadelphia, PA; Personal Chef & NutritionistNutritionistA nutritionist is a person who advises on matters of food and nutrition impacts on health. Different professional terms are used in different countries, employment settings and contexts — some examples include: nutrition scientist, public health nutritionist, dietitian-nutritionist, clinical...
(Culinary Point of View: Healthy and Sustainable Mediterranean Cuisine) - Michael Proietti, 28 — City Island, NY; Executive Chef (Culinary Point of View: "Global A Go-Go")
- Jamika Pessoa, 30 — Atlanta, GA; Personal ChefPersonal chefA personal chef is a chef who prepares meals for a client in the client's home kitchen, based on the client's needs and personal preferences. In most cases these meals are left packaged in containers and refrigerated or frozen for the client to enjoy later...
& Businesswoman (Culinary Point of View: Caribbean CuisineCaribbean cuisineCaribbean cuisine is a fusion of African, Amerindian, British, Spanish, French, Dutch, Indian, and Chinese cuisine. These traditions were brought from the many homelands of this region's population...
) - Debbie Lee, 39 — West Hollywood, CA; Restaurant Consultant (Culinary Point of View: "From SeoulSeoulSeoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
to Soul")
Runner-Up
- Jeffrey Saad, 42 — Los Angeles,CA; Restaurant Owner, Chef & Food Consultant (Culinary Point of View: "Cooking without Borders")
Winner
- Melissa d'ArabianMelissa d'ArabianMelissa Donovan d'Arabian is an American television personality from Tucson, Arizona. She is best known for being the winner of the fifth season of The Next Food Network Star, and is the host of Food Network's Ten Dollar Dinners....
, 40 — Keller, TX; Stay-at-Home Mom (Culinary Point of View: Family Cooking)
Contestant Progress
| Episode | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Challenge Winner |
None | Eddie | Jeffrey | Michael | None | Jeffrey | Debbie | None | None | |
| Melissa | HIGH | HIGH | IN | WIN | IN | IN | IN | IN | WINNER | |
| WIN | IN | WIN | LOW | IN | IN | WIN | IN | RUNNER-UP | ||
| Debbie | IN | HIGH | IN | HIGH | IN | LOW | IN | OUT | ||
| Jamika | IN | WIN | IN | LOW | LOW | IN | OUT | |||
| Michael | HIGH | IN | WIN | HIGH | LOW | OUT | ||||
| Katie | IN | LOW | IN | LOW | OUT | |||||
| Teddy | IN | IN | LOW | OUT | ||||||
| Eddie | LOW | LOW | OUT | |||||||
| Brett | LOW | OUT | ||||||||
| Jen | OUT | |||||||||
- There was no Mini Challenge in this episode.: No winner was announced in this Mini Challenge.: On August 17, 2009 Food Network announced Jeffrey Saad would return in a series of online videos based on his pilot, now called "The Spice Smuggler." The program premiered with four 4-1/2 minute videos featuring one spice and a recipe incorporating it.
- (WINNER) The contestant won the season and Became "The Next Food Network Star"
- (RUNNER-UP) The contestant made it to the final challenge, but did not win, becoming a Runner-Up of the season.
- (WIN) The contestant won that episode's Main Challenge.
- (HIGH) The contestant was one of the Selection Committee's favorites for that week, but did not win the Main Challenge.
- (IN) The contestant was not one of the Selection Committee's favorites nor their least favorites. They were not up for elimination.
- (LOW) The contestant was one of the Selection Committee's three or four least favorites for that week, but was not eliminated.
- (LOW) The contestant was one of the Selection Committee's two least favorites for that week, but was not eliminated.
- (OUT) The contestant was the Selection Committee's least favorite for that week, and was eliminated.
Week One: Press Party for Food Network's 16th Birthday
- Mini Challenge: None
- Main Challenge: Upon arriving in the Food Network Kitchens in New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the ten finalists are greeted by the Selection Committee, consisting of Food Network executives Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson, as well as celebrity chef and television personality Bobby FlayBobby FlayRobert William "Bobby" Flay is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur and reality television personality. He is the owner and executive chef of 12 restaurants: Mesa Grill in Las Vegas, New York City, and the Bahamas ; Bar Americain in New York City and Uncasville, Connecticut; Bobby Flay Steak...
. Bobby informs the finalists that they will be catering a press party to celebrate Food Network’s 16th year on the air. He randomly splits them into two teams, Team Green (Brett, Jamika, Jen, Melissa and Teddy), and Team Red (Debbie, Eddie, Jeffrey, Katie and Michael). Each team is given $1200 to shop at Whole Foods MarketWhole Foods MarketWhole Foods Market is a foods supermarket chain based in Austin, Texas which emphasizes "natural and organic products." The company has been ranked among the most socially responsible businesses and placed third on the U.S...
, as well as 5 hours to prep and cook their dishes for the 75 guests at the party, including many Food Network stars and the Selection Committee. Then, each contestant must give a short presentation about themselves and their dish to the guests, and must participate in a short interview with Access HollywoodAccess HollywoodAccess Hollywood is a weekday television entertainment news program covering events and celebrities in the entertainment industry. It was created by former Entertainment Tonight executive producer Jim Van Messel, and is currently directed by Robert Silverstein. In previous years, Doug Dougherty and...
co-host Nancy O'Dell.- Winner: Jeffrey
- Eliminated: Jen
- First aired: June 7, 2009
Week Two: Holidays with Giada
- Mini Challenge: The nine remaining finalists arrive in the Food Network Kitchens, where Bobby Flay and Esquire Magazine's articles editor Ryan D'Agostino greet them and tell them they must create a recipe for the Esquire man that works for the magazine's "Recipe for Men" section. They each have 45 minutes to cook an inventive dish using ingredients typically found in an Esquire man's pantry- a cut of meat and a special ingredient such as pickles, maraschino cherries, or whiskey. Then, they have 1 minute to explain their dish in a direct-to-camera presentation, with the Selection Committee watching. The winner's recipe will be featured in the magazine.
- Winner: Eddie (Grilled Strip Steak with Drunken Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Hash and Citrus Cinnamon Chutney)
- Main Challenge: The finalists head to the Good Housekeeping Magazine test kitchen in the Hearst TowerHearst TowerThere are two buildings named Hearst Tower:*Hearst Tower *Hearst Tower...
, where they are greeted by Giada De LaurentiisGiada De LaurentiisGiada Pamela De Laurentiis is an Italian American chef, writer, television personality, and the host of the current Food Network program Giada at Home. She also appears regularly as a contributor and guest co-host on NBC's Today...
and Good Housekeeping's editor-in-chief, Rosemary Ellis. Giada tells them that they will each have to create a simple and creative interpretation of a meal to celebrate a certain holiday. Eddie, as the winner of the previous challenge, must pick the previously chosen holidays and assign them to himself and his fellow competitors.-
- Brett - April Fool's Day
- Debbie - Mardi GrasMardi GrasThe terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
- Eddie - Valentine's DayValentine's DaySaint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
- Jamika - New Year's EveNew Year's EveNew Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
- Jeffrey - Groundhog DayGroundhog DayGroundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end...
- Katie - Earth DayEarth DayEarth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. The name and concept of Earth Day was allegedly pioneered by John McConnell in 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. The first Proclamation of Earth Day was by San Francisco, the...
- Melissa - Mothers' Day
- Michael - HalloweenHalloweenHallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
- Teddy - Labor DayLabor DayLabor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
-
- After cooking, the contestants must serve and present their dishes to the Selection Committee, Giada De Laurentiis, Rosemary Ellis, and Good Housekeeping executive Susan Westmoreland. The challenge winner will have one of their recipes featured in Good Housekeeping's July issue.
- Winner: Jamika
- Eliminated: Brett
- First aired: June 14, 2009
Week Three: Dinner at Ina's
- Mini Challenge: The eight remaining finalists meet Tyler Florence at a Stew Leonard's supermarket in Yonkers. He tells them they must shop for a family dinner for 12 with only $60 and half an hour to shop. During this half hour, they must also stop by Tyler and present a money-saving tip to the camera.
- Winner: Jeffrey
- Main Challenge: The next day, the finalists head to the Hamptons to visit Ina Garten in her home. She splits them into pairs (Jamika and Katie, Eddie and Melissa, Teddy and Debbie, Jeffrey and Michael) and tells them each team must work together to create a lavish three-course meal for Ina and her friends, as well as the Selection Committee, using the ingredients they purchased in the Mini Challenge. Each individual in the team must create one of the three courses, while the third one must be a collaboration between the two team members.
- Winners: Jeffrey and Michael
- Eliminated: Eddie
- First aired: June 21, 2009
Week Four: The Ultimate American Meal
- Mini Challenge: Bobby Flay tests the remaining seven finalists by having them put their culinary point of view on a classic American dish – the burger! The finalists must whip up their ideal burger while sharing personal stories and their connections to their dish. The best burger lands a place on the menu of Bobby's new restaurant venture Bobby's Burger Palace.
- Winner: Michael
- Main Challenge: Then, Guy Fieri and USA WEEKEND Magazine associate editor, TJ Walter, surprise the finalists on the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, challenging each of them to create a dish using a basket of international ingredients for a group of returning American soldiers.
The winner learns that his or her recipe will be featured on the July 3-5th cover of USA WEEKEND Magazine, and another finalist is eliminated.
-
- Winner: Melissa
- Eliminated: Teddy
- First Aired: June 28, 2009
Week Five: Rachael Ray
- Mini Challenge: Yum-O Challenge, where chefs make dishes out of "adult" food appealing kids.
- Main Challenge: Rachel Ray Show Challenge, where chefs pair up and do live presentation of the Rachel Ray show. Dishes must add an "adult" twist on "kid" dishes.
- Winner: None
- Eliminated: Katie
- First Aired: July 5, 2009
Week Six: Miami Up All Night
- Mini Challenge: Finalists compete by making a dish for one of Jet Blue's Terminal 5 restaurants. The winner's recipe would be added to the menu for their respective restaurant.
- Winner: Jeffrey
- Main Challenge: Finalists cater a Miami cocktail party as a team. Each finalist must complete at least two hors d'oeuvres and create a signature cocktail as a group.
- Winner: None
- Eliminated: Michael
- First Aired: July 12, 2009
Week Seven: Red Lobster Beachside Wood Grilling Challenge
- Mini Challenge: Finalists perform live cooking demo on a Miami Morning show. The Food Network crew intentionally "sabotages" each demo to test how the finalists react to adversity.
- Winner: Debbie
- Main Challenge: Iron Chef Michael Symon presents a seafood challenge on the beach. They have to cook a wood grilled seafood dish. The winner of the Main Challenge will have their dish served at Red Lobster as a menu item. After the finalists plan their dishes, select their ingredients, but before they begin to cook with them, the judges interrupt them. The judges remove some key ingedients from their workstations replace them with others, forcing them to change their plan on the fly.
- Winner: Jeffrey
- Eliminated: Jamika
- First Aired: July 19, 2009
Week Eight: Miami VIP
- Main Challenge: At Emeril's Restaurant they meet Emeril LagasseEmeril Lagasse'Emeril John Lagasse is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, and cookbook author. A regional James Beard Award winner, he is perhaps most notable for his Food Network shows Emeril Live and Essence of Emeril as well as catchphrases such as “Kick it up a notch!” and...
who talks about his friend Julia ChildJulia ChildJulia Child was an American chef, author, and television personality. She is recognized for introducing French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her subsequent television programs, the most notable of which was The French Chef, which...
. In the spirit of the new film Julie & JuliaJulie & JuliaJulie & Julia is a 2009 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Nora Ephron starring Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Amy Adams, and Chris Messina...
, each chef must create their own three course meal using $1000. They will have three hours to cook for twenty people. The presentation will include a demo of some portion of the meal to the judges. They will also get an advanced screening of Julie & Julia prior to the challenge to help inspire them.- Final Two: Melissa, Jeffrey
- Eliminated: Debbie
- First aired: July 26, 2009
Week Nine: Finale
- Mini Challenge: None
- Main Challenge: The final two were directed by Alton BrownAlton BrownAlton Crawford Brown is an American television personality, author, actor, and cinematographer. He is the creator and host of the Food Network television show Good Eats and the mini-series Feasting on Asphalt and Feasting on Waves, and he is the host and main commentator on Iron Chef America...
in creating their own pilots for the show that they would want to host on Food Network. - Runner-Up: Jeffrey
- The Next Food Network Star: Melissa d'ArabianMelissa d'ArabianMelissa Donovan d'Arabian is an American television personality from Tucson, Arizona. She is best known for being the winner of the fifth season of The Next Food Network Star, and is the host of Food Network's Ten Dollar Dinners....
- New Show: Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian
- First aired: August 2, 2009