by Gina Scarpa

 

It's time for the last challenge for the final six contestants on Food Network Star. At Pinecrest Gardens, the mentors reveal that it's time (finally!) to shoot commercials for their pilots, which will be judged by a serious panel of Food Network alums and only three will move on for America's vote. You heard me. Three! That's the biggest elimination in Food Network Star history!

 

Getting three takes to sell themselves in thirty seconds proves to be a lot more difficult that the contestants probably anticipated. Michele comes across as too serious, Nikki gets tongue tied more than once, Justin loses his train of thought, Martie struggles with confidence, Ippy is a bit too laid back, and Yvan overthinks and rambles.

 

The Food Network panel include last year's winner Jeff Mauro, Sunny Anderson, Melissa d'Arabian, Anne Burrell, Aaron Sanchez, Robert Irvine and they prove to have very different opinions when it comes to the finalists. Anne questioned Nikki's authenticity but Aaron said that if Bobby says she can grill, she can grill! Melissa thought Michele seemed inviting but Sunny felt a little intimidated by her. Jeff was intrigued by Ippy's concept, but Sunny said she felt lulled by his voice. Anne felt confused by what she'd learn from Yvan, but Robert likes the concept of family style. Aaron felt he learned a lot just by watching Justin's promo (which was far and away the best) and Sunny says his likability factor is off the charts. Anne thought Martie was fun and loved her, while Robert wondered if she could actually back up the complete party planner package she's trying to sell.

 

After deliberating, Susie and Bob reveal that the three people they want to see pilots from are Michele, Yvan, and Justin and Martie! My tears dried up when I saw that BOTH members of Team Alton had survived and were going to able to vie for America's vote.

 

Back in New York, Alton meets up with Justin and presents him with an interesting idea for his pilot - deconstruct the Caesar salad he made in season 1 of Good Eats. Michele heads to Ed's Lobster Bar with Bobby then out on the back patio to make a clam stew. Martie hosts a party in an apartment in New York for her pilot, and Giada brings in Yvan's family which is perfect, since his point of view is family style cooking.

 

Yvan - "Family Style"

I've never really been Yvan's biggest fan but everything really comes together for him in this pilot, perhaps because he did have his loved ones close by.  He came across as relaxed, confident, and enthusiastic.  I wanted to reach my spoon through the screen to try the mac and cheese dish he made, and his family coming in at the end to try it was a really nice touch.

 

Michele - "My New England"

It could be because she's my area New England (she grew up five minutes from my hometown) but I really like Michele's concept.  Ed's Lobster Bar was the perfect setting, and clams are the perfect choice to showcase New England in a dish.  Michele told a great little story about her nieces that also sold the dish, and she was much warmer and friendlier than she was when shooting her promo earlier in the episode. 

 

Martie - "Martie with a Party"

As much as I like Martie as a person, her pilot came across as the least successful.  First, let us not forget "Aarti's Party" just two seasons ago - the names are too similar.  Next, Martie's stories sort of tied in but kind of died off at the end.  She talked about being a bartender and a decorator but that didn't come through in the pilot and the "friends" from the party were extras and it came across more like she was the caterer.  It's really unfortunate because I think it took her out of the running but she was definitely misguided on this one.

 

Justin - "Rebel with a Culinary Cause"

And speaking of being guided, Alton gave more of that to Justin.  The idea of taking his mentor's dish and reinventing it for his generation, and in a completely new way, was pretty genius.  Justin is totally comfortable in front of the camera, funny, and always has you guessing what he's going to do next.  Of the four, this was the most unique pilot and I feel pretty confident he'll be named the winner next week.

 

Did you vote? And who would you most like to watch on Food Network?

 

Don't miss next week's finale of Food Network Star, Sunday at 9/8c on Food Network.

 

(Image courtesy of Food Network)

 

 

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