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Food Network Star Season 7: Exclusive Interview with Penny Davidi

Posted on 07/19/2011 by Gina in The Next Food Network Star and Cast Interviews

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Penny Davidi from Food Network Star Season 7

 

by Gina Scarpa

 

Whether you liked Food Network Star's Penny Davidi or not, you'll remember her, not just for her outspoken nature but for her intrguing food on the show. This week, the judges felt that she wasn't coming across as warm on camera and she was eliminated from the competition. Today, we spoke to the Middle Eastern Mama about her time on Food Network Star and what she has up her sleeve next.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Tell us a little about your cooking background and what made you fall in love with it?
A. Penny: Nine years ago, after I got a divorce, I found cooking to be therapeutic and a bonding experience for me to share with my two young daughters. My mother, grandmother and aunts are amazing cooks. I came naturally to want to learn when I was around them but to be more creative to appease my daughters' palates since they are more American than Iranian.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you decide to audition for Food Network Star this season. Were you a fan of the show?
A. Penny: I have been a huge fan of the show. I knew what I wanted to do the rest of my life and I went after it!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You changed your point of view early on to Middle Eastern Mama. Do you feel like things started to pick up for you at that point?
A. Penny: "Stilettos In The Kitchen" was never about wearing lingerie and heels while you cook but a certain warmth, passion, and creativity that I wanted the viewer to experience with my style of ethnic cooking - a little exotic, full of bold flavors and intriguing. So call it "Middle Eastern Mama" if you want. It's the essence of feeling good about yourself when you cook that I was trying to convey to the viewer.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You had a tough time getting along with some of the other women in the competition. Did you ever worry that it might hurt your popularity with the fans?
A. Penny: Absolutely! Some of the women, who shall remain nameless, I think, tried to exacerbate that. I personally feel I don't come close to having as much drama as others so I focus on the fact I think ultimately, I have better cooking skills.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Your food has been pretty spot on all season but the judges questioned your warmth on camera. Did you find being in front of the camera challenging?
A. Penny: Keep in mind this entire show was me on camera, the shots of me speaking directly to the camera is me on camera. I am beyond comfortable to be on camera, I was confident in my cooking skills and knew that I had great stories to tell. It wasn't until some of the hostility from the other cast members in the house got the best of me, making me doubt who I was as a person.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you feel that you should have been eliminated this week or should someone else have gone instead?
A. Penny: I feel that Jyll, despite being a friend, could have gone home and I was not impressed by Mary Beth's spaghetti and meatballs as a signature dish - it was tasteless.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What is the biggest thing you're taking away from Food Network Star?
A. Penny: If it was easy, everyone would be doing it! It is possible to do anything, regardless of race or religion; you just have to have the drive.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you plan on continuing to pursue a television career?
A. Penny: You will see me sooner than you know it! I was offered a great role in a film project. I am working on a totally new restaurant concept and possibly even a book or products. Stay tuned because there is so much more of me to come.

 


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

 

(Image courtesy of Food Network)

 


Follow Gina @ginascarpa and "Like" her on Facebook!


  


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