Press Release: AARON McCARGO, JR. CROWNED THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR

[Food Network Fan]

AARON McCARGO, JR. CROWNED THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR
New Daytime Series, Big Daddy’s House, Premieres Sunday, August 3rd at 1:30pm ET/PT

NEW YORK, July 28, 2008 – Last night, after weeks of grueling competition, Aaron McCargo, Jr. of Camden, N.J. was declared The Next Food Network Star during the hit reality show’s season four finale. In a first for the series, the selection committee chose to have all three finalists tape pilot episodes of their ideal Food Network shows. Aaron’s culinary expertise and star quality reigned supreme as he beat out fellow finalists Lisa Garza of Dallas and Adam Gertler of Philadelphia to take home the grand prize – his own Food Network show, Big Daddy’s House, set to premiere August 3rd.

A family man who adores all things flavorful, Aaron’s big personality, warm smile, and passion for down-to-earth cooking stand out in his new show. Beginning August 3rd, 2008 and featuring simple, fun, and mouth-watering recipes that illustrate Aaron’s love for big, bold flavors, Big Daddy’s House airs Sundays at 1:30pm ET/PT on Food Network.

“Aaron astounded me in the finale as his passion for cooking really lit up the screen,” said Bob Tuschman, Senior Vice President, Programming and Production. “He is a wonderful addition to Food Network’s growing family and will entertain viewers with his bold personality and outstanding food.”

Aaron has been passionate about food and cooking since childhood even serving as a Junior Volunteer in the Cooper Hospital University kitchen at age 13. He has worked as a chef in nine New Jersey restaurants including his own (McCargo’s Restaurant), which he opened in 2003. Most recently, Aaron served as the executive chef at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He also attended Atlantic Community College’s Culinary Arts Academy.

Aside from undergoing the most complex challenges and demanding season in The Next Food Network Star history, the finalists also had to impress notable guest stars including Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray, Giada De Laurentiis, Alton Brown, Cat Cora, Sandra Lee, Gina and Pat Neely, Masaharu Moriomto, Tyler Florence, Michael Symon and season two winner, Guy Fieri! Finalists Aaron McCargo, Jr., Lisa Garza, and Adam Gertler, competed against seven other hopefuls: Nipa Bhatt (Victoria, Minn.), Jennifer Cochrane (Woonsocket, R.I.), Shane Lyons (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Kelsey Nixon (North Ogden, Utah) Cory Kahaney (New York, N.Y.), Kevin Roberts (San Diego, Cali.), and Jeffrey Vaden (White Plains, N.Y.).

FOOD NETWORK (Food Network : Healthy Recipe Collections, Party Ideas, Quick & Easy Recipes) is a unique lifestyle network and Web site that strives to be way more than cooking. The network is committed to exploring new and different ways to approach food - through pop culture, competition, adventure, and travel - while also expanding its repertoire of technique-based information. Food Network is distributed to more than 96 million U.S. households and averages more than seven million Web site users monthly. With headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and Knoxville, Food Network can be seen internationally in Canada, Australia, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Monaco, Andorra, Africa, France, and the French-speaking territories in the Caribbean and Polynesia. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), which also owns and operates HGTV (HGTV - Decorating, Home Improvement, Remodeling, Gardening & Landscaping Ideas : Home & Garden Television), DIY Network (DIY Network : Home Improvement Projects, Craft Ideas & Gardening Tips), Great American Country (GAC - Great American Country : Country Music Artists, News, Interviews, Videos, Country Music Fan Zone and More : Great American Country) and FINE LIVING (Fine Living: Cocktails, Wine, Gourmet Recipes, Party Ideas, Travel Guides, Gift Ideas & Shopping), is the manager and general partner.

[ibcheft]

Wonder why they did not say second release ??

[Bentley Green]

Go, Aaron! Go, Aaron! Go, Aaron! Go, Aaron!

Congratulations on winning and becoming the Next Food Network Star!! Your show is great!! I look forward to seeing more episodes of it!

[Food Network Fan]

Good to have you join us. I liked the first episode. Looks like he will have a great show.

[Bentley Green]

Thank you!

I'm sure that he'll be a great success. He has great potential and talents. He's a family man who LOVES to cook in front of an audience!!

I was looking for an introductory thread that lets new members introduce themselves to the forum. Do you have one here in the forum? If not, can you make one? Thanks if you can!:50:

[Food Network Fan]

Yes we do it's pinned at the top of the forum named "the clicker". Welcome! Introduce yourself.

[Bentley Green]

Thanks.

[Docsmith]

Was there really any doubt when they had all three do the final episode? It seemed pretty clear. Had Adam or Lisa bombed as bad as Aaron did I doubt they would have gone on to the final show. Good for him though, he seems like a nice guy and I'm sure FN wanted to avoid last years fiasco and take control of the winner more directly.

[Bentley Green]

What happened last year? I think I remember a woman winning in the finale.

I kind of figured that something was up. Adam also has a new show (see the thread i started on it).
Seems like Lisa isn't far behind.

The network should have had 2nd & 3rd runners up after they awarded the #1 spot to Aaron.

[Food Network Fan]

Yes last year Amy Finley won, but turned down a second season.

All 3 Finalists have shows in the work we have several threads that mention it.