‘Next Food Network Star’: Nobody’s grabbin’ it

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Not even Greek gods are immune to the scrutiny of Bobby Flay.

Flay let the competitors have it this week, saying that no one has stepped up to command -- or demand -- their own Food Network show. Even L.A.’s Jeffrey Saad, who had been mopping up the accolades, got an earful when Flay called his gloppy lobster dish ‘surprisingly awful.’ (That said, bookmaker.com -- registration required -- is still betting on Saad to win it all.)

If anyone is rising in stature it’s Melissa. She won this week’s burger challenge and then won over a crowd of returning U.S. soldiers with her take on regional cooking. Moreover, she is proving to have a masterful grip on that ability to tell a personal narrative through food: She revealed more about her life, including anecdotes from her college days, and that she was raised by a single mom who also served in the military.

It was Teddy’s time to say farewell -- and not a moment too soon, as far as I am concerned. Jamika put it best: The camera turns on and Teddy turns into a used-car salesman. Not appetizing at all.

So where does that leave us?

Jeffrey: He’s had a charmed run so far -- maybe too charmed. Unlike the other competitors, he hasn’t had to push himself as hard because he came in so camera ready. Could that work against him? While Flay had some harsh words, perhaps the toughest came from Food Network honcho Bob Tuschman: He told Jeffrey that he’s ‘flirting up against the edges of blandness.’ Yikes. Still, it’s hard to imagine Jeffrey making an early exit.

Melissa: If she can just keep it steady, she will definitely be in the final lineup.

Debbie: Man! Did she get belted in the face by Michael. I don’t think the judges gave her enough credit for pulling it all together after that accident. She has a great niche -- she just needs to keep working it.

Jamika: She was giving Teddy the business for sounding like a used-car salesman, but then she did the same exact thing. This was the first week where I thought: Hmmm. Maybe she’s just a pretty one-trick pony.

Michael: Was it me or did he get all kinda gangsta-goomba at the end of the burger challenge? How can a guy who seems so comfortable in his own skin seem so ... uncomfortable when the cameras are on?

Katie: Pack your bags, I’m pretty sure you’re going home next.

-- Rene Lynch