The Next Food Network Star

So anyone watching this season's series?

Includes a Louisville local named Damaris Phillips who according to her bio is a local culinary instructor (Sullivan University?) and a writer with http://louisvillebeer.com/.

Also has a contestant named Stacey Poon-Kinney who looks very familiar. I swear she looks like some actress I remember from the 80's or 90's. Maybe Phoebe Cates?

I believe Phillips is a teacher in the culinary program at JCTC (yes, Jefferson Community and Technical College has a very good culinary program also)

So anyone watching this season's series?

Actually no...I've sworn off the Food Network after the (knee jerk) firing of Paula Dean.

Wasn't she the head baker for Highland Grounds?

So anyone watching this season's series?

Includes a Louisville local named Damaris Phillips who according to her bio is a local culinary instructor (Sullivan University?) and a writer with http://louisvillebeer.com/.

Also has a contestant named Stacey Poon-Kinney who looks very familiar. I swear she looks like some actress I remember from the 80's or 90's. Maybe Phoebe Cates?

Stacey looked familiar to me too. Her restaurant was featured on "Restaurant Impossible" a few months back...which is why I recognized her:)

So anyone watching this season's series?

Actually no...I've sworn off the Food Network after the (knee jerk) firing of Paula Dean.

+1 Actually, I've been reading that sales of her books have skyrocketed (her newest one is now #1). There are also boycotts being organized against the stores and products have dropped her!

I've been watching (and enjoying) this year's show. At some point in my younger days, I was friends with a few members of Damaris' family. I never knew her very well, except that she was a charming personality even back then. I think she had a brief misstep on the show, but is doing very well, and serving Louisville proudly. I can't speak for her cooking talent or background, but for personality, she is definitely a "star" in the making. I especially enjoyed the episode where she played the role of a judge. She shined as a fair, yet honest critic to her peers. I rarely watch television these days, but the show is something I look forward to each week.

I've been watching (and enjoying) this year's show. At some point in my younger days, I was friends with a few members of Damaris' family. I never knew her very well, except that she was a charming personality even back then. I think she had a brief misstep on the show, but is doing very well, and serving Louisville proudly. I can't speak for her cooking talent or background, but for personality, she is definitely a "star" in the making. I especially enjoyed the episode where she played the role of a judge. She shined as a fair, yet honest critic to her peers. I rarely watch television these days, but the show is something I look forward to each week.

Yeah I enjoy this show (Food Network Star) and there show "The Next Iron Chef". No offense to by buddy Chef Lee but I feel the over all caliber of contestants on The Next Iron Chef is a whole other level above and beyond Top Chef. Having said that I feel Chef Lee should have been on Next Iron Chef and not Top Chef. It would have been a better representation on his skills.

In fact I think its was last seasons Top Chef, that had a female chef contestant on it. Who had just appeared on Food Network's "Chef Wanted" with Anne Burrell. She was competing for her FIRST executive chef postion. How can you be that new to the industry and so obviously junior and be in the running for "Top Chef"? That kinda ruined it for me.