Jeffrey Saad, 'Next Food Network Star' Runner-Up, Gets Web Show

by Sara Bonisteel, Posted Aug 18th 2009 @ 5:30PM

FoodNetwork.com

Sometimes you really do get a second shot at culinary stardom.

The Food Network has given Jeffrey Saad, the runner-up of this season's "The Next Food Network Star," a second chance on a slightly smaller screen. The network is airing a handful of Saad's "Spice Smuggler" show as Web shorts on FoodNetwork.com.

Along with Saad's "Ingredient Smuggler" pilot taped for "The Next Food Network Star," the site is featuring four "Spice Smuggler" shorts. In them, the real-estate agent and trained chef makes 5 Spice Stir-Fry Chicken Soup, Smoked Paprika Lasagna, Garam Masala Chicken Pot Pie and Tilapia Tacos with Anise Seed. Of course, for his pilot, he went crazy with harissa, doing his take on a steak sandwich.

"He may not have been declared the winner of 'The Next Food Network Star,' but Jeffrey won the hearts of a huge number of viewers," said Bob Tuschman, Food Network's senior vice president of programming, said in a statement issued by the network. "His food undoubtedly had a spicy elegance to it; one that I think will appeal to a broad range of chefs who love to experiment with unique ingredients and spice up their dishes."

Do you think Saad has what it takes? Tell us what you think in the poll and the comment section below.

Do you think Jeffrey Saad should get his own show?
Yes	3743 (79.1%)
Maybe	422 (8.9%)
No	566 (12.0%)

Filed Under: Television/Film, Food News
Tags: jeffrey saad, JeffreySaad, next food network star, NextFoodNetworkStar, spice smuggler, SpiceSmuggler

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Reader comments (Page 3 of 3)

9-19-2009 @4:44PM Henry said... Jeffrey definitely deserves his own show. Melissa is daytime programming and Jeffrey is an excellent show just about anytime.

Hopefully the execs at FN will can that show the barefoot contessa. That show can put a squirrel that's doped up on speed popping no-doz and drinking Jolt into a coma!
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10-13-2009 @4:15PM Kim said... I was on the fence while watching TNFNS so was not too disappointed when Melissa won. However, after watching her first 4 shows, I am not impressed and probably will not watch her new season shows in 2010. BUT I would watch a show with Jeffrey as the host. Even in the web shorts he appears more confident, comfortable, organized and excited to be cooking and sharing his recipes than Melissa. It is a good bet he would generate better ratings and a bigger following.
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11-13-2009 @8:59PM Nicki said... Jeffrey deserves his own show! I was terribly disappointed with the judges choice. Melissa is a lovely person but she didn't bring anything to the network that wasn't already there. I want a show with Jeffrey that will expose me to spices and herbs I haven't used. I was looking forward to marching into my local haunts; Surfas, Whole Foods, etc. to pick up whatever spice was featured.

Give Jeffrey a show! I don't want to sit in my office on a website. I want to watch it on TV and perhaps cook along.
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11-28-2009 @1:57PM bobbi said... Melissa ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz

Jeffrey Saad--so knowledgeable and personable that he me interested in cooking again. And that is saying alot.

Even though I did not care for Melissa, I figured that I must have mised something that everyone else saw and I tried watching her show. She was just plain boring and horrible. And not even anything new. What were the judges thinking of? (Or was this a done deal?)

On the other hand, Jeffrey was the opposite. Interesting, kept my attention, and had something new to offer. It was quick and simple, which is important in this short attention span lifestyle that we all have.

Please give Jeffrey Saad his own show. Until then I will be checking the Food Network for updates on his web show.

And that is a hint--more Jeffrey Saad!!
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1-01-2010 @6:03PM april waggoner said... I enjoyed both Melissa and Jeffrey during the competition and wished there could have been 2 winners. I've watched Melissa's show a couple of times, but don't feel that I was educated by it. I set aside time to watch Guy no matter what he is doing the same for Bobby, Giada, Paula ect with todays busy schedule if it doesn't hold my attention like I feel Jeffrey would then i don't bother turning on the tv.
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1-11-2010 @8:50PM Angie said... Could someone tell me the paste that Jeffery put on his sandwich that he used in his pilot show. I am unable to down load the pilot and watch it. Was it Harissa paste?
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5-30-2010 @10:25AM Connie Beck said... I knew I would never watch Melissa's show, nor Rachael's, nor Paula's. I was SO excited about Jeffrey's potential show as I have a spice cabinet full of goodies I have bought all over the world and I don't know how to use most of them! Please give us the Jeffrey Show!!!!
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7-10-2011 @7:14PM Dean M. said... The reason Next Food Network Star is a meaningless waste of time and the reason why I'll never watch another season of it: Everybody gets a show anyway....win or lose.
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