Season 4 Episode 5 of The Next Food Network Star

[FoodFan]

I watched the 1st challenge with my eyes closed....and I immediately felt for Aaron. 90 seconds of silent air is most noticeable when you have your eyes closed. As he sampled the dish, I kept shouting, "dude, say somethin'!!" As much as I'm a fan, I still predict that his nervousness, shyness, and inability to be spunky and smooth on his feet will get him nixed soon. I'm feeling more and more it is Kelsey's show- dare I say it- to lose. She overcame the accusations of being overly perky and has turned it to her advantage- TWO weeks in a row!! Lisa could turn it around. She has successfully softened her persona and it appears the judges have taken notice- even though her aside interviews still come off as snobby to me. Adam, I don't know what to think. I didn't realize his food was so consistently disliked as the judges were implying today...At least he didn't clown around, pratfall, or sing this time. And I agree with the previous posts that this particular challenge of sampling someone else's dish was a little much, as you never saw any previous host have to do that. (Being able to identify food is one thing, but c'mon...) I wanted Jennifer to do well, but she essentially has had the same problem as Aaron- lack of confidence and quick wit on-camera. It would appear that the judges- for the purpose of this TV show- want their contestants to be on the cocky side. I'm not sure I agree with that, but I know I'll never be a TV star either. I have no overly inflated delusions about my own skills and anyway look too much like...well, never mind.

So Shane merits his own paragraph for this reason. He seems unstoppable. This guy is good, but he does come across as cocky to me. Or he's just so young, he's devoid of any insecurity or second guesses. In his side interviews, he rattles off the information very methodically, almost like he's impatient. He has lots of energy, is polished on camera, and for tonight worked really well with Kelsey. The judges love him. It'll probably come down to him and Kelsey in the end.

[ibcheft]

Well, another week another self trained cook, wrong one went home though, should have been Adam, one dish through out this whole competition is not enough to justify keeping him. Jenn might of screwed up tonight a little, but looking at the noodles and knowing those were Chinese ? should have been able to tell the chicken and lemon, even given the lack of knowledge. That is where culinary school would have helped. Aaron needs to speak up and tell the people he is working with what he thinks, quit being mister nice time to get Ramsay with them. Shane and Kelsey quite the team, both just out of culinary school, with a little more time and experience under the aprons they would do a good job. Lisa just keeps coming through, but she needs to get rid of the fancy clothes, and just be a person quit trying to be a beauty queen and seductress how about being a cook, I think she would take the whole thing if she did that. I thought the teams given the time limit and the dishes did a fair job. Maybe on the turducken what make a meatloaf of all three, or I think they were headed in the right direction as a stacked presentation of the meat with a sauce. As for the wine dish, guess the judges thought it should of been more of a stew in 45 min ? not. I really did not see much of anything wrong with the idea for the wellington. my 2 cents this week

[Food Network Fan]

I think Aaron and to a certain extent Lisa are just trying too hard to be what they think they want instead of just who they are. When I see both of them being themselves and just talking and describing things naturally I find both of them a lot warmer and likable.

I know they are just trying very hard because this is something they really want but I honestly do like them better when they are speaking out of competition. It seems like they are trying too hard, but both seem to be getting better than they were in the beginning.

[isilzha]

I also agree Adam should have gone home, but I felt he needed to go home last week too.

[Food Network Fan]

My favorite thing about Jennifer when they first introduced all of the candidates to us was that she is a Mom. I think a lot of the childless stars on the network really don't have a good idea of what it's like to feed a child every day. Especially if they are picky. I have seen Rachael Ray fix some things and say "kids will love this" and it's something I don't think there is a child alive anywhere on this earth that would eat that even if it was deep fried in chocolate sauce.

I had hoped Jennifer might be great at making some kid friendly meals, but I don't think it's something you could make a whole show about, but it could be included occasionally. And I don't think it should be the packaged stuff Aunt Sandy feeds her sisters kids. Something fresh that looks friendly enough that kids will try that first bite and see how great it is.

But you know the tests they do might not show how they would really be cooking on a show because they do not get to pick what they are making. This would be a tough thing to participate in I am sure.

[snowpea]

shane is going to win i think

btw when was the last time cat cora had a tv show where she had to explain anything? i dont think ever-she is an iron chef on the network and she barely talks unless describing her dishes to the judges

she really had no authority to critique their verbal presentations imho

[Kansan]

This year is the first year that you really have a clear two tiers. I don't remember year one very well, but year two seemed to have several good chefs, whereas year three had no one good. This year is a bit different -- we have two clear tiers...

Tier A is those who have a real shot at this thing: Shane, Lisa, and Kelsey.

Kelsey has the personality with enough cooking skill to be a Rachel Ray type personality on the food network. Her smile lights up the room and itis hard not to like her. She listens to the criticisms and really improves. Plus, I really admire her passion for trying so many times.

Lisa was tough at first but has become my favorite. She is clearly the best cook -- that gal can slice and dice with the best, and I like her combination of softness (the tears with her seem real) and toughness. I didn't like her "beautiful basics" theme as it seems snobby, but I actually think her show would be educational. Lisa's problem is if she could win the vote in the end. Remember, this isn't about eliminations in the end -- it's about a 1 on 1 voting war. This is why her softening was so critical.

Shane is the little engine that could. He doesn't ever wow you but he never dissapoints you and that's why he's still there. I really like the guy...he knows how to cook, has a good personality, and I think he'd be a unique personality on FN due to his personality.

Aaron is a distant 4th -- has cooking ability and a personality, but doesn't know how to show them. Adam is a disaster.

I think in the end you wont see Lisa being eliminated. I think the network sees a potential star in Kelsey so It hink it will be between those two. Shane will make it to the final 3...could get in if either of the other two screw up.

At this point I've moved from Kelsey to Lisa as my fave. I really admire her ability and she is just, well, better than the rest at what she does.

[superfoodie]

My two cents worth: I wish they would have sent 2 home week- Jennifer and Adam. Once again Adam goes with what he wants to do and it doesn't work out. I don't think this guy can cook anything besides "game" food. Heck, my husband can cut up a potato and put cheese and bacon on it!

I did not go to culinary school but I know that you don't BANG a glass jar to get it to open! Jen panicked and did something stupid. She couldn't identify any of the food on Lisa's plate and said I don't know one too many times. She had to go home

As IBChef stated earlier, another home cook leaves. I think you have to be a trained cook to be successful in this arena. I am a teacher and being a FNS is like being a teacher: You have to know MORE than what you are explaining that particular day. You can not teach something if your knowledge base is limited to what you are teaching to beginners.

One question: Did Lisa go to culinary school?

My vote still goes with Lisa but I think Kelsey is going to win this thing.

Also, are you noticing that some are no longer playing nice? Shane intentionally gave Adam and Aaron the Coq a Vin, suspecting that neither had made that dish before.

Last question: How could you have made Turducken in 45 min? I'd like to know because I think my family would enjoy it.

Happy Monday everyone!

[BernerMommy]

Well, once again Adam survived. I think that Aaron had such a hard time describing the food because he had no idea what it was. Ground turkey thrown on top of napa? It did not look good at all. I think that the judges should have also commented on the taste of the food in the first challenge.

I think that both challenges were pretty difficult. If the judges wanted to taste something stewed, then they should have given them longer than 45 mins. Shane and Kelsey really had the easiest of the 3 dishes to make in 45 mins.

I felt kind of sorry for Jennifer. They were expecting her to have a vast knowledge of different foods, but I did not see her as having a show of food from around the world. I kind of gasped when she was wacking the jar of juice on the counter.........I have tapped a bottle, but never used two hands to wack it!

Lisa, Kelsey, and Shane are growing on me. I still like Aaron, but he really needs to loosen up!

[ibcheft]

Has Cat put on some weight or is it just me ? I seen the add 4 or 5 times never could figure out who was walking in, did not look like cat, hair down, makeup, I thought why would they try to use a double in a add it looks a little like her, but not enough. Well I guess it was her her, I haven't seen her around lately, guess she has been doing the cruise chef thing.