by Gina Scarpa

 

Last night, on The Next Food Network Star, Darrell "DAS" Smith was eliminated from the competition for several reasons. First, the judges felt that, though he had improved in front of the camera, he wasn't progressing quickly enough. He also served a tri berry sauce over steak in the Star Challenge that didn't go over well and Bobby Flay felt that he didn't know his cuts of beef. Today, DAS spoke to RealityWanted in an exclusive interview about how he felt he performed on the show, which contestants impressed him, and what he's up to now.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When did your interest in food first begin? Was it a passion you had as a child or something you developed as you got older?
A. DAS: Both! I've always been around food my entire life. My grandmother, my great grandmother, and my mother were all great cooks. That's something they did for their families. Food was a social event. They'd come home, start cooking, and next thing you know there were 20 people around, ready to eat. I always loved food, fresh ingredients. I didn't really want to cook until I went to college. I studied Business Admin for 2 years. While I was there, I was always an entertainer and throw parties and what not. When I did that, I started throwing events at my house for friends and started cooking dishes that I knew. The response I got from my friends and peers was incredible and that's when I decided I wanted to do it as a profession. I left business school and transferred to culinary school.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Have you watched previous seasons of The Next Food Network Star? What made you want to try out?
A. DAS: I watched the show. I was a big fan. I liked it because it was about your personality and your food. I felt like that was the best show for me because I have a great personality and I can cook as well.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did you think about your point of view and what kind of show you wanted to create before coming into the competition?
A. DAS: I did. I absolutely did. I think we all thought about our points of view too much when we got there, though. Some people, including myself, put too much emphasis on the words point of view and over thought it. I wanted a show that would continue to teach people in my age group, the bachelor, and kids... I'm a teacher at a high school right now. I started 2 years ago at Beverly Hills High School. My show would be based around that next generation, going off to college, who needs to know how to cook when they're on their own. I wanted to educate that young man and young woman who is coming up in the world.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: There was some talk from the judges about your personality off camera versus your personality on camera. Do you think your let your nerves get the best of you?
A. DAS: Yeah, I absolutely think my nerves got the best of me in some challenges. The first episode, that was rough for me. It threw me off just a little bit. I had that thought in my head, being in the bottom. That's something you don't ever want to put yourself into. My nerves took over a little bit but I believe I was getting more comfortable in front of the camera and in challenges. It just wasn't fast enough for the show. I definitely believe I was loosening up in front of the camera.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Are there things we didn't get to see about you that you wish we did?
A. DAS: Yeah! I wish I could've shown a lot more of my personality. I have a crazy personality. I'm funny. I get along with everyone. I'm welcoming and warm. I love to make people feel good about themselves. I was telling people to pick their heads up and live to see another day during challenges. The show didn't really show my personality so I wish I could've gotten that across. I believe food is a very, very powerful thing that brings people together. The next generation... we have to educate them about food. At this point, they're running around and spending their money on fast food. They need to know how to cook for themselves. I'm an educator. I wanted that to come out a little bit more. I'm a cool guy, I'm a fun guy, but I'm very serious about my food and my message.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Who is doing well in the competition right now, in your eyes? Who impressed you?
A. DAS: Aarti impressed me. She's doing well at this point. I'm very happy for her. Brianna is also doing well. She's getting her mojo back a little bit. A lot of people are doing decent in the competition. It's anybody's game at this point.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What are you up to now? Are you still teaching and do you still hope to have your own cooking show down the line?
A. DAS: I'm still teaching. This is summertime now but going into the fall, it'll be my third year. I'm definitely still working on the Culinary Arts program. That's my baby. I started that from scratch. I designed the equipment, created the curriculum, ordered the books, everything. That's definitely my baby. It's the number one sought after elective at Beverly Hills High School. Some kids don't even know about this career option. We didn't have a program in my high school. I'm definitely looking forward to getting back into the high school. As far as a cooking show, I'd love to get back in front of the camera and I have some things I'm continuing to work on regarding that.

 

 

The Next Food Network Star airs Sundays at 9/8c on Food Network.

 

(Image courtesy of Food Network)

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

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