Alanna is traveling for the next couple of weeks, and while you may see a post or two up from her appear on the site while she's away, she isn't near a TV and so can't watch The Next Food Network Star. I'm going to be subbing in for her in the recap department. So let's get started, shall we? I warn you, after this point, there will be spoilers!
The episode consisted of the remaining four contestants breaking off into pairs. Adam went up against Lisa and Kelsey up against Aaron. They had to preparing their signature dish (with added Las Vegas-style flair) as well as try to make a better version of their opponent's signature dish, ala Bobby Flay's show Throwdown.
Lisa's signature dish was a cassoulet while Adam's was mac and cheese. The judges found that each created gorgeous versions of their own dish (Bobby Flay called Lisa's cassoulet possibly the best he's ever eaten), while their versions of their opponent's dish was lacking. I thought the judges should have dinged Lisa a little more for that, because I've found that it's really hard to make a bad mac and cheese. Even Paula Deen said to her that she really, really didn't like it at all.
In the other pairing, Kelsey made a chicken parmesan while Aaron prepared a stuffed pork loin. The judges preferred Aaron's version of his signature dish, as well as his take on Kelsey's dish (even though he didn't start that dish until the very end of his cooking time).
Did I mention that while all the contestants were cooking, they also had to field questions from the judges and chat with an Extra host.
In the end, it seems that the judges made the call based on the quality of the food, because while Kelsey was personable and charming on camera, her food just didn't cut it in this round and she was sent packing. Check out her exit interview over on the Food Network website.
We're down to just three contestants now (two of whom are from Philadelphia!). Who do you think will be sent home next week?
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