A "Star" Returns... For Season 4

[foodnetworkaddict.com]

The season four cast of The Next Food Network Star was announced several weeks ago, but I didn't post anything about it, figuring a list of names and ages probably wouldn't excite you all that much, would it?

But NOW we have much more info... and pictures... and even video. So get excited.


Finalists (l to r): Nipa Bhatt, Shane Lyons, Adam Gertler, Lisa Garza, Aaron McCargo Jr., Jennifer Cochrane, Kevin Roberts, Kelsey Nixon, Jeffrey Vaden and Cory Kahaney.

Here's the promo video (did anyone else see it last night?):



I'm not so sure what to think of the club music used in this promo (which sounds eerily similar to Stardust's "Music Sounds Better With You"), but once again I'm probably only one who cares.

But maybe I'm not. The music is almost screaming out pay attention! Forget about that competing show, which just so happens to be casting for season five right now!

Food Network is counting on even higher ratings this year, so hopefully these folks will get you to watch:

NIPA BHATT
Nipa, 35 (Victoria, MN) is a marketing manager by day and cooking enthusiast by night. Nipa is the former owner of the Gypsy Curry House and has taught a variety of cooking classes. This married mother of two thinks everyone should cook with a fearless attitude. Her versatile background has allowed her to grow up in both India and the United States and bring both worldly tastes to the table.

JENNIFER COCHRANE
Jennifer, 32 (Woonsocket, RI) is a self-taught chef who started playing in the kitchen at the age of seven. Currently, Jennifer is the Executive Chef at Geppetto’s and Briggs Corner restaurants and is the proud mom to her 3-year-old daughter. Jennifer hopes her cooking can show people how to discover the basic ingredients behind some of the greatest flavors.

LISA GARZA
Lisa, 32, (Dallas, TX) brings her own sense of style and elegance to the kitchen. Voted in 2006 by The Dallas Morning News as one of Dallas’s “5 To Watch – Chefs,” Lisa is the co-owner and special event planner of Suze Restaurant & Catering. This former beauty queen designs her own line of chic kitchen aprons and brings glamour to the gourmet scene.

ADAM GERTLER
Adam, 30 (Philadelphia, PA) is an actor and server who has made the kitchen his stage! Adam is the former owner of The Smoked Joint – a BBQ joint he ran with his brother that brought ‘the barbeque experience’ to Philly. Currently starting up a catering company, he constantly searches for new ways to bring easy, approachable meals to the table with a side of fun.

CORY KAHANEY
Cory, 45 (New York, NY) is a New York City native that is no stranger to the spotlight. Cory has previously been featured on Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. When it comes to cooking though, Cory is serious about great food. She considers her style MAMMA cooking – grounded in the classics of Mediterranean, Austrian, Mexican, Middle Eastern and Asia.

SHANE LYONS
Shane, 20 (Colorado Springs, CO) shows the kitchen holds no boundaries when it comes to age. As a former child star and professional actor, Shane was part of the hit Nickelodeon show, ALL THAT and won a Kids Choice Award with the cast in 2004. At 20, Shane runs his own catering service, Experience Dining, in Los Angeles and still dabbles in acting. Shane is also a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America.

AARON MCCARGO, JR
Aaron, 36 (Camden, NJ) is a family man who loves all things buttered and barbequed. Aaron got his start cooking in a local hospital at 13 and is the Executive Catering Chef for Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Married with three kids, Aaron brings an easygoing presence to the kitchen with his warm smile and passion for down to earth cooking.

KELSEY NIXON
Kelsey, 23 (North Ogden, UT) happily dubs herself as the ‘Mini Martha Stewart.’ This bubbly, blonde dynamo has brought her unique cooking style to her eager peers at the local college cable station as the former host and star of “Kelsey’s Kitchen.” Turning the kitchen into a classroom, Kelsey currently teaches culinary classes covering everything from seafood to cupcakes and freelances in the food department for The Salt Lake Tribune.

KEVIN ROBERTS
Kevin, 39 (San Diego, CA) is widely known as “The Food Dude.” As the Executive Chef of East Village Tavern & Bowl, Kevin is immersed in the San Diego food scene. Kevin writes cookbooks and is the food contributor for a local radio show. This martial arts expert thinks all flavors should pack a mighty punch!

JEFFREY VADEN
Jeffrey, 43 (White Plains, NY) is 6’5’’ and brings a tall order to the kitchen. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, he has owned his own restaurant, catering business and was even a TV intern at one time. Although Jeffrey has a BA in Political Science and English from Howard University, he says he couldn’t pass up the way cooking channels the creative side of the brain.


More...

[Food Network Fan]

I have seen the commercial for it several times now. Looks like a good group, I hope they are better than last years.

[BerryBaby]

Ok, just by the photo, I pick the one in the blue sweater with his hand on his hip. He looks like he could have his own show.

[Food Network Fan]

He was my favorite at first look too. It will be interesting to see if we like the persona as well.

[isilzha]

He looks friendly in the picture anyway.

[rachael24]

When does this premiere? Im going for the man in the red sweater!

[Food Network Fan]

We have a thread here with the date and times.

http://www.foodnetworkfans.com/forum...-pm-et-pt.html (The Next Food Network Star Shines Bright Beginning Sunday, June 1st at 10 PM ET/PT)

[raja77]

Does anyone know who sings the song in the Season 4 Promo Commercial?? I love it!

[ibcheft]

well I am going to watch it for a couple times before I decice to chose who I think should win, I want to know if any of them can really cook, unlike some of the shows where this one you could skim by on with little culinary skills, if you have a good personality, can act, and can do several dishes.