<p>So my pick is now gone. I have no idea now. The scuttlebutt around here is that since Michael Chiarello is supposedly signing a lease for a new restaurant in San Francisco, he must have lost (although Iron Chef Morimoto just opened a restaurant in Napa, so I’m not sure the logic holds).
Xiggi, your bias is showing in post #39.</p>
<p>^^LOL</p>
<p>What bias? The same bias that made me applaud some of the previous eliminations? I shared that I did not like the crass Anne Burrell and whining Alex Guarnaschelli any more than I did Irvine or Samuelson or McMillan. </p>
<p>And, fwiw, if there is a bias, look at the judges and the gender composition of the final 5.</p>
<p>Bu-bye Burrell. Alex is very lucky.</p>
<p>Sigh…another spoiler for the west coast viewers?</p>
<p>I finally got around to watching it last night. We usually record both Amazing Race and Next Iron Chef and then watch them throughout the week.</p>
<p>I’m sad to see Anne Burrell go, but I figure it was probably her time. What a horrible thing to make one contestant put another one in the bottom two! </p>
<p>Not sure who is my favorite now. Maybe Michael Chiarello. It is good to see him back, as I hadn’t seen him on Food Network in a very long time.</p>
<p>That was really rough, the smart move would be to put a top guy in the bottom, but then to have to face him down, ouch. And the peer pain of having to choose a compatriot, no fun at all.</p>
<p>We were discussing at work this morning–it isn’t clear that this series, while potentially great TV viewing, is actually producing the best “next iron chef”. Chef Garces doesn’t seem to be making much of a dent and it’s probably too early to tell about Chef Forgione. So how could this be tweaked to produce the desired results? (And furthermore, it doesn’t seem like the “next food network star” is doing that great either). Comments?</p>
<p>Here you will find all the comments you could possibly want!</p>
<p>[The</a> Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs (Episode 6 “Food Auction”) [Spoilers] - Food Media and News - Chowhound](<a href=“http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/821374]The”>http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/821374)</p>
<p>[Top</a> Chef Texas - Ep. #5 - 11/30/11 (Spoilers) - Food Media and News - Chowhound](<a href=“http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/820653]Top”>http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/820653)</p>
<p>Great links–Thanks!</p>
<p>KathyC: none of these shows ever really produce the next ‘star’. My family has decided these shows are for entertainment value only and to increase network ratings.</p>
<p>The only Food Network Star that actually became a star is Guy Fieri. The only Design Star that ever became a star, kind of, is David. The only American Idol that ever became a star is Carrie Underwood (I think, that was before I started watching). </p>
<p>What we have noticed is on these shows is that the runner-up ends up doing much better than the winner!</p>
<p>The judges almost had it right. They sent Alex packing at the first elimination, and finally had to decide between Michael Chiarello and the pastry chef. Too bad, the final show will not between Zakarian and Chiarello.</p>
<p>All things being equal (i.e., no major mishaps occurring), the producers were probably leaning towards a male vs. female showdown.</p>
<p>I have a feeling that they knew that a final with Zakarian and Chiarello would have lost half the audience. I’m sure they’re still trying to figure out why Forgione isn’t doing better as an Iron Chef; many people don’t like him.</p>
<p>A previous poster mentioned that only Guy Fieri seems to have taken off as a star (1st Next Food Network Star winner). But I’d say Michael Symons (1st Next Iron Chef winner) isn’t doing too badly for himself.</p>
<p>It’s interesting, though, that they were both the winners of the first season of their respective shows.</p>
<p>Guy Fieri was the winner of the second season of Next Food Network Star. See, nobody even remembers who won the first year! It was the two guys, Dan and someone else. I think their show was on for the contracted 6 episodes, and we never saw them again.</p>
<p>I think they really need a female to win, with Cat Cora gone, that leaves a big hole.</p>
<p>Plenty of chefs who did not do too well have found “recycling” opportunities on FN. When Symon won, Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez were eliminated. Freitag had also an early exit but is still a feature on the network. Heck, that Maneet Chauhan still show up regularly. </p>
<p>Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh were the two first winners.</p>
<p>I feel like the last two winners of Next Food Network star are doing okay. Aarti’s Indian food show ratings were okay, and the Sandwich king has already hosted things other than his sandwich food show. To be honest, I prefer watching Guy on Diners, Driveins and Dives over his cooking show. </p>
<p>I think the success of Top Chef Masters helped with this years Next Iron Chef. I have seen the majority of the constestants on Top Chef Masters, or judging on Top Chef. Seems they were able to get a higher calibar of chef to compete this year, for whatever reason.</p>
<p>Interesting thought, but I’m not sure I agree with Chedva (#53) that half of the audience would disappear with two male contestants in the final.</p>
<p>
Maybe not with 2 male contestants in the final. Just with those two male contestants in the final.</p>
<p>Remember that Iron Chef is not about how well someone can cook; the audience cannot taste a thing! The Iron Chef must be entertaining to watch. That’s why I don’t like Forgione; he annoys me. Neither Zakarian (too stiff) nor Chiarello (too arrogant) are fun to watch.</p>
<p>So who would the ideal next Iron Chef be? We don’t seem to be too thrilled with this bunch of all-stars…</p>
<p>That’s why it will be the woman. She looks interesting enough.</p>