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First Ep of The Next Food Network Star Probably Didn’t Go Exactly As Lisa Garza Planned

Posted on June 2nd, 2008 10:38am by Sarah Eveans
Filed under Food On TV

Good morning, friends. Who watched The Next Food Network Star last night? I did, and somehow, Dallas’ own Lisa Garza was in the bottom two! I mean–seriously? Yes, her “culinary point of view” was a little confusing, but the judges liked the poached salmon she made for the challenge, and anyway, it wasn’t nearly as bad as that disgusting 5 minute meatloaf, or that made-you-look-away raw pork tenderloin. Dude, I would have cried if I had cooked that too.

Not to mention–Lisa looked gooooood. She is by FAR the most attractive and best-dressed on the show. Kevin calling her the “Dallas diva” had heavy undertones of jealousy, no? She did seem a little severe, but seriously, it was the first night! I would probably be pretty serious and a little stressed out myself. Actually, I probably would have melted into a pool on the floor and never even made it to judge’s table. Write with thoughts, please. We’ll hopefully be hearing from Lisa as well later today.

23 Comments to “First Ep of The Next Food Network Star Probably Didn’t Go Exactly As Lisa Garza Planned”

Casie @ June 2nd, 2008 at 11:06 am

I thought Lisa did great! Maybe I’m a tad biased because I know her personally (but its not like she called me up to write this). She looked fabu and by far is the best suited for her own show. What was up with the unfunny comedian? Why was she even there? Anyway, Lisa held her ground and I think she’ll relax a bit after the first show. Her POV is definitely confusing — perhaps she can provide better clarity, but I applaud her for doing this. I certainly couldn’t and would crack under all that pressure. Lisa is used to working under stress and her food, her style and her charm will prevail. My vote is she’ll pull this thing out. You go diva girl! You go!
nonbiased @ June 2nd, 2008 at 11:21 am

she has a strange sunburn.
Amy S @ June 2nd, 2008 at 11:29 am

The show takes 10 seconds out of 2 hours of filming each person, and to make it seem suspenseful, they manipulate the drama. I think Lisa represented herself well, but I’d really love to see what the show left out.
Kristin Hart @ June 2nd, 2008 at 11:54 am

When Lisa walked in, for a second, I thought I’d accidentally switched over to Project Runway! Her Dallas ‘tude cracked me up, but she looked awesome.
CKent @ June 2nd, 2008 at 12:01 pm

Sarah your review was so Dallas superficial! We expect you to give an unbiased culinary review, not a fricking fashion review. Yes Lisa is attractive, but if she wasn’t, you would have never commented. Its a cooking show and its about the food! Her food in the first episode was not good so she deserved the basement. Maybe you should be reviewing America’s Top Model and not a food show!
Nate @ June 2nd, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Ckent: leave Sarah alone!

First episodes of these food reality shows tend to be about first impressions, not just the food. Look at Top Chef and even the last season of Food Network Star. The contestant’s outward appearance does have an effect on the judge’s perception as a TV host. Yes, the food is important, but would you rather watch Lisa with her stylish appearance and competitive nature vs. a Michelin 3-star chef who looks like he/she just woke up from a major bender that lasted 3 months? Or look at current hosts: Giada di Laurentiis vs. The Fat, I mean, Barefoot Contessa?

Food Network shows are just as much about who hosts them as they are about what is “taught.” Not necessarily a bad thing, but that’s what happens.
Dubious Brother @ June 2nd, 2008 at 12:37 pm

She needs to lose the charity b.s and the high heels and lighten up. It’s a cooking show and no one knows what her “style” is. If it weren’t for the severely depressed, low self esteem and photographically challenged “comedian” she would have been gone already.
nonbiased @ June 2nd, 2008 at 12:59 pm

It’s really all about the 3Cs: cooking, charity, and I’m not going to tell you the third one because I’m not a real chef and I am panicking a little bit because you are all staring at me and and and I’m going to keep talking without making a point, but I did want to let you know that I did this while wearing heels and and and, any questions? GIIIIILLLLLBBBERRRTTT!!!!
CKent @ June 2nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm

Slow your roll Nate. I didn’t know restaurant menus included a photo spread of the chef in the kitchen. I guess you only eat in restaurants where the chefs are 10s. Quit being superficial! Its about the food!!!
Rawlins Nichol-Loadian @ June 2nd, 2008 at 2:40 pm

I’ve met Lisa and she has exactly the (dare I say it) ’spunk’ needed to have her own show vs. someone else who cooks well but has no ‘it’ to jump off the screen. Stay tuned.
Jack @ June 2nd, 2008 at 3:19 pm

Lisa looks like she knows her way around a kitchen, but if she doesn’t get some likeability quickly she will be done
Nate @ June 2nd, 2008 at 3:47 pm

Who is talking about restaurant menus? Frankly, if I was at a supposed “fine dining” restaurant and the chef plastered his/her pictures inside the menu, I might walk out. I’m usually the guy sitting at the end of the bar in jeans and dusty, beat-up ropers, even someplace where dinner will cost more than my boots. Superficial is not my nature. Thanks for the assumption though.

Now, based on Sarah’s original post, I thought this was a discussion about a cooking show…where appearance and personality can carry more weight than true cooking ability or skill. Sarah was just giving her thoughts on the show as a whole, mentioning both food and appearance in terms of Ms. Garza’s performance. Maybe you haven’t read this blog enough to know that it isn’t 100% food-focused.

Justin Wilson, the Cajun cook, had a show that lasted for years. Was he a good looking guy? Hard to say about a guy in his final decade or two, but he had a personality that you couldn’t ignore. Who hasn’t flipped to PBS in the 80s and 90s when his show came on AND watched the whole thing?

Now look at the shows on the Food Network. Rachael Ray is relatively attractive and has a bubbling personality (erupting even). Can she cook all that well? Not really – her stuff is for the at-home cook or professional parent with little time to spare. Would I ever eat at her own restaurant one day? No. But she is one of the most popular Food Network personalities since its inception.

Oh, and I don’t eat at restaurants because the chef is a 10. That’s ludicrous. I go where the food is worth the price. If the chef happens to be an attractive woman, that doesn’t change my liking the food. My restaurant dining ranges from trying John Tesar’s seasonal menu items to having a nice bowl of Pho at Vietnam or some Pollo con Mole and Menudo at Cuquita’s.

And more often than not, I cook for myself at home because I enjoy cooking. Going out to a nice restaurant is a biweekly, even monthly, treat. That is my chance to try something I may not know how to prepare or something I have not seen or tasted before…or after a 15 hour work day, I just want something simple for take-out that isn’t fast food.
nonbiased @ June 2nd, 2008 at 4:26 pm

oh, snap!

Nate wears boots.
Kathleen @ June 2nd, 2008 at 8:26 pm

Lisa did not make a good first impression. Who cares whether she can cook in high heels or not? Not anyone in my circles. Since I come from Dallas, I found her appearance/cooking/comments a little embarrassing; I expected more. She needs to lighten up, become a little more real. Lose the 3 c’s, for goodness sakes.
waybiased @ June 2nd, 2008 at 9:48 pm

Kathleen, you just saved me the effort. I have to say I was also a bit embarrassed. In addition, as far as how “goooooood” and attractive and best-dressed she was, I will say that you can tell that she’s an absolute cutie. It’s a shame she’s hiding it under all that bad.
Kelly @ June 3rd, 2008 at 11:16 am

Nate: I’ll say to you what the judges said to the Hospital chef that made the salmon sandwich without the bread that wanted “the food to speak for itself”…its a food network TV SHOW!! While it is about food, yes, it HAS to be about personality and appearance to a point Also, this is a BLOG, not the friggin’ New England Journal of Medicine, so there will be a bit of off-beat and irreverant himor involved in the various postings. I guess working 15 hours a day in boots can make someone a tad cranky. If you want a show that is ONLY about food, go watch the “butcher block cam” at Rudy’s BBQ, where they only show meat being sliced!!!
Nate @ June 4th, 2008 at 9:55 am

Kelly: apparently you missed my first diatribe about having personality vs. culinary prowess. One of our “friends” here was complaining about Lisa’s personality getting in the way of food.

I am in total support of the idea that a Food Network show is mostly personality. I think with the backing of the Food Network kitchen staff, the quality of food will come more easily. Does the person need to know about cooking techniques? Yes, to some degree. Does the person need the ability to make a egg sound like new, interesting culinary discoveries? Absolutely.

Irreverent humor (aka himor)? I totally get it. I just take the time to read through all comments before I take a shot at somebody’s comments, because I don’t want to misstate anything I write.
alissa @ June 4th, 2008 at 9:55 am

Gosh – I guess I am rooting for the hometown girl tho I know little of her. But I watched the show. We are absolute food network junkies and LOVE to cook. It really seemed like a (don’t hate me) lackluster group overall for the final ten – maybe they will show more appealing and interesting
sides of themselves as the show progresses.
Brandy @ June 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

Nate- why did you have to call Ina Garten fat?

that was mean.
John Frusciante @ June 6th, 2008 at 2:10 pm

She looked pretty stupid, actually. But if you need to compare her to the others…then yes, she looked just fine. Please…
alissa @ June 7th, 2008 at 12:05 am

The Ina Garten lady is fine – she is who she is – she has her appeal and some love it and – for others – it isn’t their cup of tea. She does have some great tips and recipes tho! Paul Prudhomme was FAT – so what of it – it all makes the person.
alissa @ June 7th, 2008 at 12:06 am

Oh hey tho – wasn’t the ‘everyday italian’ gal a little catty – b*tchy when it came to the young blonde college gal and her nervous excitement? That was a bit of a disappointment as I presumed she’d be above that. Oh well!
cindy @ June 15th, 2008 at 11:21 pm

lisa didn’t come off well on the first show. and not much better tonight with the groveling over m.stewart. didn’t show much maturity there. actually the harmonica histronics were much more bearable and that was bad too LOL

time will tell.