The Food Network Star Season 7 Finale will air Sunday, August 14, 2011, when the last of fifteen contestants standing will be selected to host their own show on the Food Network. Season 7 premiered on June 5, 2011, with each contestant believing that their chance of a lifetime had come. At the end of ten episodes twelve contestants each had their bubble burst.
Howie Drummond. A radio host from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, with a passion for cooking was the first to head home.
Juba Kali. A resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, the Food Network Star judges loved his food, but Juba froze in front the camera during camera challenges. So, Juba was the first of two people to head home in week 2.
Katy Clark. A mother of three from Long Beach, California, who also operates a food and fitness company, was the second person voted off the show in week 2.
Alicia Sanchez. This New Yorker is a culinary school graduate, and owner of her own bakery. Sanchez was prone to crying fits in each episode. It was a relief when she was voted off at the end of the week 3 episode.
Justin Balmes. An experienced executive cook from Marietta, Georgia, Balmes fell into the same category as Kali; a great chef but could not pass the camera challenges. Balmes was voted off in week 4.
Justin Davis. Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, this stay at home dad never really established a personality on the show. The judges liked his food, but he had a vanilla personality. Davis was sent packing in week 5.
Orchid Paulmeier. From the first three episodes, Paulmeier was the judge’s favorite, and was said to be the contestant to beat. But, the South Carolinian by episode 6 was told she failed to grow as the show progressed. Paulmeier was voted off at the conclusion of episode 6.
Chris Nirschel. Viewers at home knew it was only a matter of time before this chef from Hoboken, New Jersey would be voted off. Nirschel was like the “Mad Hatter” in the kitchen, and was full of excuses when his dishes did not succeed. Nirschel was the first of two contestants voted off during week 7.
Penny Davidi. Davidi received good marks throughout her stay on the show, but only failing marks for her catty personality. Davidi was the second person voted off episode 7 show.
Jyll Everman. The judges seemed frustrated with this contestant from Glendora, California, remarking they wanted to see real emotions. A vivid example of this was when Everman’s risotto dish was placed in front of Wolfgang Puck. Puck told her it was not risotto, and got up from the table and went into the kitchen and instructed her on how to cook risotto. Everman continued smiling, while the other contestants and judges cringed in embarrassment for her. Everman was voted off in week 8.
Whitney Chen. Chen, a one time engineering consultant turned culinary graduate, excelled in preparing delicious food on the show, but came across too analytical, but not enough on camera personality. Chen was voted off week 9.
Mary Beth Albright. A food writer, Albright talked a better game than she cooked, which was a shame because she had great camera presence. Albright was voted off week 10.
The three remaining contestants, Vic “Vegas” Moea, Susie Jimenez, and Jeff Mauro, by the end of Sunday’s show will be named host of their own Food Network show.
Vic “Vegas” Moea. This Brooklyn chef says he learned the art of cooking from his mother and grandmother. To win, Moea will have to overcome his propensity for mishaps in front of the camera.
Susie Jimenez. Jimenez has come a long way, from picking fruit with her parents when they arrived in California from Mexico, to owning her own catering company. Jimenez is one of the two top contenders to win.
Jeff Mauro. Mauro pitches himself as the “Sandwich King,” and the judges agree that he knows his way around the kitchen, plus he has good on camera presence. Mauro has the all the ingredients to come out on top.
The finalist judges for Food Network Star Season 7 are Bobby Flay, Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson, and Giada De Laurentiis. Check your local listing for the time the season finale will air in your area.
Sources
http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-next-food-network-star/index.html