"kelsey nixon" news and stories

Debuting on the Cooking Channel this past Saturday, Kelsey's Essentials features The Next Food Network Star's Season 4 "fan favorite," Kelsey Nixon. Though the title didn't win her a show at the time, Nixon went on to co-host a web series on Food2.com called Kelsey & Spike Cook, where she shared the cutting boards with Top Chef alum Spike Mendelsohn as well as appearing on Chef's Vs. City.

On the first season of Kelsey's Essentials, she takes a topic like quick breads, knife skills or roasting and dedicates 30 minutes to demystifying the techniques behind them. The goal is for the viewer to work these "essential" tips into his or her everyday repertoire. Though trained at Hollywood's Le Cordon Bleu and the French Culinary Institute, Nixon doesn't come across as elitist on Essentials -- she connects just as well with amateurs as with pros.

Slashfood spoke with Nixon about what's essential in her kitchen, her days spent as a recipe developer and her lifelong connection to lime Jell-o.

Kelsey's Essentials premiered on November 6 at 2:30pm on the Cooking Channel.

Each Thursday or Friday (oops!), we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week.

• Competitive eating isn't for amateurs - an Indian man died after choking on a pastry at his company's eating contest.
• Who doesn't love a good holiday puree! Check this slide show for five varieties.
• Looking for a retro nibble for your Thanksgiving relish dish? Try these Chicken Salad Stuffed Celery Bits.
• An interview with Dale DeGroff, King of Cocktails.
• YumSugar wants to know - How are you cooking your turkey this year?
• Former Next Food Network Star cheftestant Kelsey Nixon is getting her own Food Network show.
• Still need help with your Thanksgiving plan? Download this dinner planner.
• An interview with Lauren, the first chef kicked off Top Chef.