Season Four Season Finale of the Next Food Network Star

The season finale of The Next Food Network Star really did an excellent job of showing how far each finalist came during these intensive weeks. A few episodes ago, all the viewer saw was how each contestant made mistake after mistake in the kitchen, and in front of the judges. During the final episode however, the final cooking demo results were all professional and easy to watch. I almost forgot that these finalists were not seasoned television personalities.

In contrast to the usual criticism, the judges were extremely positive this time around. This episode also had the family and friends of each finalist present, and the President of the Food Network also made an appearance.

Lisa Garza managed to slow down her kitchen movements to an accessible level and make the audience feel like they can cook anything. She did an especially excellent job of distilling down a fancy-sounding French recipe into something that viewers would be comfortable making on their own.

Adam Gertler used a recipe which showcased an extremely unconventional way of cooking, using a can of beer to roast a chicken. As a college student, I found his method to be entertaining and worth a try in the kitchen. He was also the only finalist who connected with a Food Network viewer via webcam, which shows him as perhaps a bit more accessible and engaging than the other contestants.

Aaron McCargo, the winner of this season, really made viewers want to try a few bites of the steak he made. He has a genuine passion for food, and is really friendly and approachable on the camera. The Food Network made a smart choice for picking him, he helps balance out the various other personalities on the channel. Aaron adds a fresh culinary perspective that is somewhere in between the professional cuisine in Iron Chef America, and the casual at-home cook seen in 30-Minute Meals, while still remaining unique and true to his culinary style (I do not remember seeing plantains on the Food Network before).

I am unable to determine if agreed with the final decision. I see Aaron McCargo's appeal, he is very friendly, and the food he cooks is delicious. However, I personally will be able to follow only a few of his recipes, because my lifestyle as a busy college-student with small living-quarters cannot easily accommodate anything besides extremely fast and cheap recipes. I hypothesize, however, that people with families will be happy to welcome him into their kitchen.