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