It’s time for another season of “Next Food Network Star”. I have watched this since season 2 where Guy won and that was the best season so far IMO. Season 3 you had Jag lying and fessing up to it. They decide to switch the focus to that so you ended up with the two final contestants not even cooking their demo and the winner just suddenly being announced as the final episode ran out of time. Then Season 4 had Aaron McCargo Jr. winning which shocked me and made no sense. Throughout that season you had Adam Gertler who they always praised for his personality and outgoing presence but needed to work on his cooking. Lisa Garza also made it to the final 3 and was often praised for her cooking style but needed to work a little more on engaging the audience. And then there was Aaron McCargo Jr. that was hit or miss with his cooking and they kept telling him to work on his personality and camera presence. Can some please tell me how the person that had to work on two qualities beat out two other contestants that only had to work on one quality?

You may ask why I am still watching the show and the answer is simple. With Season 3 I saw that they probably faced a lot of pressure from outside sources to address Jag and his lie thus giving them no more air time to give the winner a proper announcement. That is why I was willing to turn into Season 4. Season 4 was a horrible let down and made it seem like there is no real thought put into who the winner is (at least as far as talent or personality). The only reason that I have watched the first episode of Season 5 is because it is my job and I have seen previous seasons. So now that I have gotten all that out of the way here is what you get from the first episode.

You receive a quick run through of the contestants as they enter the house and sum up their lives for you on camera. But they are not given long to get use to each other or their new living arrangements as they are quickly whisked away for their first challenge. The 10 contestants are split into two teams of five and now must cook a buffet in honor of Food Network’s 16th Anniversary of being on the air. The audience if filled with a variety of chefs that cook for Food Network such as Giada De Laurentiis, Duff Goldman, Masaharu Morimoto, Alton Brown and the judges Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson, and Bobby Flay.

They must put together a menu, send two people out to shop, stay within a budget and get the food prepared. One team faces budget problems which in turn creates a little bit of chaos in the kitchen as some of the cooks realize items they need are missing. When it is time to serve their food each person gets a chance to talk about what they prepared giving the judges a little insight to their personalities and then they try the food. Some people fall flat while others stand out, same goes for the food that is served. Then just as fast as they were given the challenge they are all placed in the judging room. Here each person is called forward and praised or told what needs to be worked on. A few stand out a little above others; but really it is too early to call favorites.

I was not given whom they chose to eliminate the first episode. Perhaps they didn’t want that to be spoiled for viewers. This is an unfortunate thing as based on who they chose or at least knowing for sure the bottom 2 or 3 I would get a better idea at what the judges are looking for this season. Are they looking more for strong cooks that they can work with as far as personality or the outgoing person that could still learn a thing or two about cooking?

As for the rest of the episode it is a pretty standard “The Next Food Network Star” set up. I didn’t really see anything changed or new things thrown in to keep the contestants on their toes. So if you have enjoyed this show in the past the first episode will give you what you have come to like and expect. If you are wanting something new or like me were disappointed in past seasons this really isn’t an episode that will pull you back in; but it won’t have you turning off the channel in disgust either.