The drama llama stopped by the set of The Next Food Network Star this week, forcing one contestant to talk his way right into a dismissal. It all began with a short challenge for Esquire magazine. The chefs had to prepare a meal that fit the mags demographic then present it to camera in a one minute spot. It’s tougher than it sounds.
Melissa was a train wreck, going on about how her dish was good for babies. Huh? And Katie is supposed to be promoting healthy eating yet she keeps using phrases like “sneaking in” the good for you stuff. If healthy can taste good then why “sneak” it in?
After that fiasco, it was on to the main challenge — to cook a holiday themed meal for Good Housekeeping. Eddie, because he won the first challenge, got to hand out the assignments and oddly gave people things they would like (Earth Day for healthy Katie). Not that it really helped in the end, as no one wow’d the judges all that much.
The drama came in when Melissa, overwhelmed by cooking in an industrial kitchen, allowed Teddy and Brett to help her plate her food. From the episode, it appears that all they did was plate and they offered, she didn’t ask.
But when it came time for the judging, Melissa was praised for her food so Brett decided to speak up. He informed the judges that Melissa couldn’t have turned out her dish without his help. Teddy refuses to get involved, but some how by saying so, he didn’t help Melissa’s case. She ended up in tears and Brett ended up going home. The judges didn’t say it was because of his attitude, but you gotta figure that factored in since Katie did a horrible job and got to stay on.
I think what bothered the judges most was the sense that Brett really didn’t care if he won or lost. A lack of passion, certainly isn’t going to get you a show on The Food Network.
On a related note, Food Network Challenge was equally dramatic last night when the chefs were tasked with making a cake for judge Kerry Vincent. Crazy cake maker Stevie nearly choked when she heard because she and Kerry do NOT get along. Fast forward a half hour and Stevie’s kitchen was a disgusting mess as she shoved handfuls of cake into a doweled form then cemented it with globs of icing — so gross.
Meanwhile, sweet Norm was so sick he couldn’t compete. His assistant Vance had to take over using a helper from the audience and I’ll be darned, they almost won!
But the best bit of the night was when Stevie filled her cake with alcohol then set it on fire. Instead of the soft blue glow she expected, the paper icing sheets on the cake went up in flames and the cake had to be doused with a fire extinguisher which filled the whole studio with smoke. Biz-arre!
21. August 2009 at 8:56 am
Came across your site by accident — I must say my birthday cake surprise (Kerry Cakes as it is referred to in-house on Challenge) as without doubt the funniest day I have spent on Challenge. Just to set the record straight, Stevie has created her own dynamic — it is a one-way street her way. I could not care less if she comes to compete and go to war with me. Wisdom prevails on my side — I ignore the theatrics and just judge what is presented on the table no more no less. If she hung by her toenails from the chandeliers it still wouldn’t move me one way or the other — she makes for great TV and that is what reality television is all about. I judge the work from all four sides, not just the front as the audience sees.
Thanks for including mention of this episode, hope you enjoyed Sesame Street, I did I loved being muppetized in cake and sugar.
Kerry Vincent
12. November 2009 at 7:33 am
Ms. Vincent, I must commend you on your true dignity in the face of disgust.
I watched with near disbelief as Stevie, who has the talent of a two-year-old and the attitude to match, made a mockery of what could have been for her a defining moment. I have seen your work and it is masterful. At the VERY least she owed simple courtesy of a competitor to a client. But you were so much more than a client. You represented the ultimate challenge: to create the very first birthday cake for the best of the best. And Stevie failed you so rudely–with such reckless unconcern and conceit–that she actually threatened even the audience! It was appalling! How you held it together I cannot imagine. But you were as bright and shining as she was pitiful. I sincerely hope we have seen the last of her, because she has no place in your competition or, quite frankly, anywhere but in her very dirty kitchen–with a mop and a pail.
Congratulations, Kerry Vincent. The winner of that challenge was you.
3. February 2010 at 6:14 pm
Julia, thank you — but don’t worry, I ignore Stevie’s theatrics and try to concentrate on the serious artists.
Some new news that you might enjoy!
I am very grateful to be the cover girl of the inaugural issue for Cake Central magazine; add to that sharing things about being a competitor on reality TV. Rather nice at my age to be a ‘cover girl’ don’t you think? Viewers have had many questions about where I came from and where I have been. I think they will be more than happy to find a glimpse of my personal story.
This is not the only news that is breaking in my life, there is more and it follows.
BRIDES MAGAZINE WEDDING STYLE DIRECTOR MARIA McBRIDE WRITES:
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HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCEMENT
MATTHEW STEVENS, Editor, Dessert Professional announces that:
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This is my second Hall of Fame Award.
Another story for American Culinary Federation members will appear in the National Culinary Review, February issue out soon.
Best wishes,
Kerry.
3. February 2010 at 6:17 pm
For some reason part of the message blocked out — hope this works better.
BRIDES MAGAZINE WEDDING STYLE DIRECTOR MARIA McBRIDE WRITES:
January 25, 2010 I am delighted to announce that your cake will be included in BRIDES March 2010 issue celebrating America’s Most Beautiful Cakes. Thank you for creating an exceptional cake for our annual showcase of America’s best sugar artists. Your technique is truly beautiful and will be an inspiration to readers. The issue goes on sale February 9. Congratulations, it’s a pleasure to feature your design. Sincerely, Maria McBride Wedding Style Director.
HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCEMENT
MATTHEW STEVENS, Editor, Dessert Professional announces that:
The April issue of Dessert Professional will feature our selections of the inaugural Top Ten Cake Artists in America; awarded to cake professionals whose dedication to their craft has ensured that the cake continues to be our premier celebratory dessert. From the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show, to the Food Network, and innovative sugar techniques Kerry Vincent has promoted (and demanded) fine cake artistry long before the cake became a TV star.
After initially listing Kerry as one of the sure Top Ten selections, I realized that the breadth of her contributions placed her in a different category than the very talented cake artists on the Top Ten list.
So, as one who embodies the spirit of the award, I have invited Kerry to become Dessert Professional’s first Cake Artist Hall of Fame inductee. There is no candidate more deserving of being the inaugural inductee.
8. February 2010 at 5:36 pm
I’m so flattered you took the time to respond, Ms. Vincent. And purely delighted to know you’re receiving proper recognition for your extraordinary creativity and execution.
And a hand salute to you, Matthew Stevens, for making Lady Kerry–Best of the Best–the First of your First!
To Kerry, whose cake takes the Art!
Julie B
23. March 2010 at 5:11 pm
I just watched a re-run of that episode. I had only seen a snippet of it before (the flaming cake). I couldn’t believe how rude that woman was to Mrs. Vincent. I can’t imagine that anyone with that attitude could long stay in business. It’s ALWAYS about pleasing your customer. What a dink. – Then there’s the matter of that disgusting mess she called a cake. Surely she couldn’t have seriously expected ANYONE to want to eat that glop???? I thought only “skilled” people were accepted into the challenges?? Or, is it open to anyone?