by Kylene Hamulak

 

"A Star Is Born"

 

It's finally time to crown the newest Food Network Star, but not before we spend some time with the finalists and mentors dishing on the things we didn't see throughout the season.

 

Before we get to the juicy stuff, however, we get a brief recap. I remembered most of the chefs, but there are a few that I can't for the life of me place. Were they on another show? Did I miss an episode or three?

 

The four finalists are all overwhelmed at the surreal experience, and I'm a little overwhelmed by how adorable Yvan looks tonight. His hair is longer (is he trying out Justin's pompadour?) and he's all spruced up for the show. The mentors all claim that these four were their top choices for their teams - that's really convenient, guys!

 

We also find out that there was more of a rivalry between the teams than we might've expected, with Team Alton the target of much of the disdain. Justin calls Team Bobby bullies, and the chefs don't deny it - particularly in regards to Emily (who Nikki says earned a nickname "that started with an E and ended with a Y...are you here?"). They're all smiling, but yeah...there's clearly some inter-team tension.

 

Of course we won't get the winner until the end of the show, but in the meantime, we learn that the first finalist who will be eliminated is Martie. It's bittersweet, but Martie with the Party is a good sport and still smiles as she thanks them all for the opportunity.

 

Next up? A poll that reveals the chefs voted Nikki as the most competitive contestant. As we watch the clips confirming this competitive spirit, I kind of just think Nikki is a bitch. Another poll crowns Malcolm as the cockiest competitor. During Malcolm's package, as he refers to himself in the third person, there's absolutely no question about his confidence, and even as Suzy criticizes his insistence on not having a POV, Malcolm refuses to back down. "My POV right now is no POV, so I'm cool with that one," he says.

 

The next poll really warms my heart - it's Justin and Martie for oddest couple. I like that they always seemed to work together despite coming from very different POVs, and their friendship seemed very genuine. Even though she's been eliminated, it was a great moment when Martie found out she'd get to do a pilot too.

 

Watching the montage of B-roll from the mentors, I start to wonder if they were drunk most of the time. Because it seems a little like they might have been. Bobby - or Vitamin B as he prefers - is kind of awesome, and I enjoy the banter between Alton and Giada. Bobby says he wouldn't have picked a different team, though he admits that Eric was his biggest disappointment. Alton and Giada are both sappy about what the experience was like for them, blah blah, everyone loves everyone.

 

When it's The Network's turn to talk, we learn that the choice to keep Ippy over Eric was not an easy one. Bob preferred Eric's dishes, but Suzy managed to change his mind and give Ippy another chance. When the chefs get the chance to ask The Network anything they might have on their minds, Nikki asks if they were so tough on her because they thought she could take it. They were basically like....um, no. Tough love makes a star.

 

The collection of clips for Justin is an interesting one because it shows just how little he's changed since the first week - and that's in a good way. He's been charming and confident since the beginning, and his skills in the kitchen rarely hit rough patches that put him in danger.

Michele's love for New England is evident in her clip package, but so are the problems she had throughout the competition. She definitely deserves her spot in the finale, but she'll still have some work to do to get comfortable in front of the camera.

 

Last but not least, we get a look at Yvan. He's got a terrific personality and a great story, but honestly? His voice drives me nuts - work on the tonality, my friend!

 

So this is it. The moment we've been waiting for. I wish they had a golden chef's hat to place upon the winner's head, but instead we just have the curtain drop on a giant poster. After 4.5 million votes, America has chosen JUSTIN as the Next Food Network Star!

 

I think it's a great choice - he's been a natural since day one, and his recipes will definitely put a different spin on typical Food Network fare. Stay tuned - Rebel with a Culinary Cause is coming to your kitchen soon!

 

 

(Image courtesy of Food Network)