by Chandra Clewley

 

 

This week’s episode of The Next Food Network Star begins with Giada introducing the stars to Guy Fieri, this week’s guest judge on the Selection Committee, since Bobby Flay is missing for this episode. Giada has tubs of popcorn in front of her and Guy introduces the team to their Camera Challenge. 

 

They will create a dish inspired from classic movie genres and present them to Camera. They have 45 minutes to cook and present to Bob, Giada and Guy. The feedback is that Das is tentative and his nerves come out. Brianna food is not Comedy which she was given. Aarti nails the presentation. Brad is smiling until the camera starts and then the smile is gone. Tom has improved but his food doesn’t back it up.  Aria ties in family style but she is mild today and Bob thinks it might be from the past advice. Paul is awkward which is becoming normal. Serena has a lot of energy which is also normal.  Herb seems to be nervous and it isn’t the Herb everyone has come to know, while Dzintra is just plain uncomfortable.

 

The stars get dressed up to go to Highlands, where they walk a red carpet, interact with fans and grab a swag bag on the way out. Guy wants to see how they interact with the public. Inside each swag bag is a food item and each person is teamed up with another team member.  The challenge is to make a dish with the food item that is in their bag and then pair their item with their team member’s item.  Some of the teams are matched well while others are just plain mismatched. 

 

Herb and Brianna are Team Sexy as they call themselves. Brianna makes Pork with Fennel Chutney and as always her food is excellent but the crowd is mixed on her approachability. Herb makes Beer Marinated Flank Steak and the crowd loves him. Their collaboration dish is Bruschetta with Beer Fondue and Fennel Ragu which the committee says is a great dish.

 

Brad and Aarti are paired together and it’s a little strained but they make it work. Brad makes a Chocolate Seared Pork while Aarti makes Taleggio Toast. The toast goes over great as it still has Aarti’s light Indian touches but Brad’s food isn’t loved. Their collaboration dish is Beef Skewer with Cheese and Chocolate Sauce and Aarti is rightfully worried that there is not enough time to cook the meat.

 

Dzintra and Aria are teamed and they have a difficult time. Aria is overpowering Dzintra which is unfortunate for her, but they push on. Dzintra makes Beef with a Mushroom Gravy while Aria makes Blueberry Napoleon. Their collaboration is salad with mushrooms and blueberry vinaigrette. The committee likes Aria’s food, thinks the gravy on Dzintra’s is good, but when Dzintra shushes Aria mid-presentation, she loses points with the committee.

 

Tom and Das are crowd pleasers and a great team, Tom makes a Banana Avocado Mousse which is fun and playful, Das makes a Fried Pancetta Cabbage which everyone loves, but they collaborate on a Tempura Banana with Jerk Cabbage that flops terribly. 

 

Paul and Serena are an odd team with a restaurant cook and a home cook. Serena’s energy does not mesh with Paul who is trying to hurry her. Serena cooks Mozzarella en Carozza which doesn’t go well, Paul makes Shrimp over Parsnip Puree which is sweet and rubbery. Their collaboration is Tenderloin with Parsnip Slaw and Peanut Sauce. Serena hurts her food when she walks behind Brianna without a “behind” warning which is Restaurant 101 and Serena just doesn’t have that experience. Paul also blows it by getting glass in his first batch of coleslaw and treating Serena like she is crazy for talking too much.

 

In the end, the winning team is Team Sexy: Brianna and Herb. Brad and Aarti are safe. Tom and Das are safe. The teams up for the chopping block are Aria and Dzintra and Paul and Serena. Out of those four, Paul is under the gun for being condescending and Dzintra is under the gun for being uncomfortable and anxious. In the end, Dzintra is eliminated.

 

Catch an all new The Next Food Network Star on next Sunday night at 9/8 c on Food Network.

 

(Image courtesy of Food Network)

 

Follow Chandra at http://twitter.com/ChandraClewley

 

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