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Food Network Star Season 7: Conference Call with Winner Jeff Mauro

Posted on 08/15/2011 by Gina in The Next Food Network Star and Cast Interviews

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Jeff Mauro Winner of Food Network Star Season 7

 

by Gina Scarpa

 

All hail The Sandwich King! On last night's season finale of Food Network Star, the selection committee declared Jeff Mauro, of Chicago, the winner. His new show begins airing this weekend and today, Jeff took time out of his now very busy schedule to talk to RealityWanted and reporters in a press conference call about his win.


Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When Vic was eliminated, he was obviously a little surprised that he didn't make it to the final two. Were you surprised or did you expect to face off against Susie in the end?

A. Jeff: I was surprised. I think, at that point, I had a feeling it wasn't going to be me vs. Vic. Something in my heart, not to discredit Vic or his talents, but... two guys, two Italian-American guys, going up against each other didn't make sense to me. I think Vic is going to do very well so I wasn't sad for him. He's gonna go on and I think he has some stuff in the works. I love him.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Who would you say you learned the most from on the show, whether it be fellow contestants, the judges, or one of the Food Network celebrities?
A. Jeff: I think I learned a lot from Guy [Fieri]. He was really the only judge that was like, "You know what? Come here, I wanna talk to you privately." He would say, "This is what you need to do. This is how you handle it." Not just on camera, but off camera. He was like a buddy and that was helpful. There's such a separation betwen the finalists and the judges. They are proven and we are proving. It was awesome to be treated normal.

 


Q. How closely does The Sandwich King resemble the show you conceived 7 years ago during your time in L.A.?
A. Jeff: Very different. That was more of a party based, barbecue show. We'd throw these barbecues and record the hijinks and the people. I wanted to provide a younger, more irrevereant party based vibe. As fun as that was, obviously, it doesn't have any legs. It's very different. I'm still myself, though, and it's still me.

 

Q. Can you describe the elements of the perfect sandwich?
A. Jeff: Okay, well-handled fresh bread. You wanna start with that and when you take your bite, you wanna make sure there's not resistance. If there is resistance, it's good resistance like crunch. You gotta pay attention to the flavors and the textures which doesn't always happen with sandwiches.

 

Q. You were having trouble balancing the humor with the food in the beginning and then you clearly hit your stride. Is there a moment where you felt that happen?
A. Jeff: I think that the Fourth of July challenge when I was on stage and I pretty much maxed out my personality... it went over well. I can be big and huge but I didn't want to be bigger than that. I think they liked me for who I am. Nobody's ever kicked over a mic stand on Food Network before. The Rachael Ray Show is when it evened out and I came into my own.

 

Q. What have you been doing since the finale? Will you still be in Chicago?
A. Jeff: Yes, I just left working this Thursday. I have been living a dual life. Getting flown to Atlantic City, going to shoot my show which is obviously top secret, shooting the finale, going to do these very large things and then coming home and making 120 sandwiches. That's what I was doing was working normally, spending time with my family. Now, my goal is to stay here always. I can go shoot a show in 3-4 weeks and not uproot my entire existance. Eventually, I want to shoot here when I have a little clout.

 

 

Sandwich King premieres Sunday, August 21 at 11:30/10:30am ET on Food Network.


(Image courtesy of Food Network)

 

 

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

 


  


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