Food Network Star

What Food Network Star “disappeared” that you would like to see more of, or at least get an update on?

For me, I would go with Jason Smith. He seemed to be everywhere for a bit, but I haven’t seen anything with him for a good bit now.

I was just thinking about the success of FN actually creating "stars" so I went thru the Wikipedia entry that broke down the 14 seasons with the last one being in 2018 (although I thought it was longer since it had aired!) IMO, this first list includes that have indeed become FN STARS, regardless of what their personal shows did viewership-wise (whether on their own show, part of an ensemble - a la The Kitchen, or because of their presence on the network as a judge or other type of panelist).

Guy Fieri

Aarti Sequeira

Jeff Mauro

Justin Warner

Damaris Phillips

Eddie Jackson

Christian Petroni

This shorter list are those chefs that partook, didn't win, but seem to have managed some sort of recognizabilty ofn TV, although much less "famous".

Kelsey Nixon

Melissa d'Arabian (left the country with husband shortly after her win, which likely affected her)

Jamika Passoa

Nikki Dinki

Tregaye Frasier

I'm sure not everyone agrees with my placements, but I was more curious what you thought of the track record? 14 seasons, with SEVEN bonafide stars. 50%. Certainly better success than any of the Bachelor shows! I suppose it might be interesting to see how many of the Top Chefs have found "personality success" too - but that's not the purpose of their show, or the contestants. I can think of a half dozen contestants from that (winner or otherwise) that have also become tv famous.

Has anyone actually watched Guys season on the show? If so can you tell us why you think his PR people have scrubbed it from existence?

I know that in the later seasons, no one was actually given their own Food Network Show; they were lucky to get a highlighted YouTube show on the FN YouTube channel

As people jokingly said, it turned into "the next Guys Grocery Games or similar judge"

But still, I miss it, it was so fun to watch.

Do you think in the post-YouTube/TikTok age, where FN has pretty much eliminated almost all instructional content for "game show" type programming, usually with chefs already successful and famous in their own right competing, a "Next Food Network Star" could still be a thing?

Vic Vegas was a finalist on Food Network Star season 7 - the season that was eventually won by Jeff Mauro.

I was watching Food Paradise today and there was a random Vic sighting - he's apparently running the in Vegas.

Opened back in January 2021 (incredibly BALLSY time to open a restaurant, no doubt!) - seems to be highly rated AND they serve vegan dishes too!

To be honest, even though Vic didn't win his season of Next Food Network star, I'm surprised he wasn't used more on the network. Dude just has a ton of charisma, IMHO. (I also found out that Vic is apparently a regular on Bar Rescue, which is a show that I don't watch)

yes I know nfns is still a competition show in hindsight, but i was watching season 9 this morning and i miss the feel of shows like that one. it was sometimes funny, sometimes irritating, but i loves seeing the weekly improvement.

we also had a good amount of people who are still on the network today who came from that show, and seeing their start to now is always intresting. except for christian petroni, i can't stand that dude.

i know they probably wouldn't bring it back but if they did revive just for a season, i'd be really excited, it's just that we have too many faces on the network right now i couldn't see them organically searching for someone new.

also don't even know who they would use as judges, or "the network". idk i just miss it

Here's the end boys and girls! Doesn't it seem like it's been so quick this year? It's been a weird season, but thanks for always showing up to share your opinions (and rants) on these weekly discussions! I'd love to hear you all share your last thoughts as this season wraps up.

Edit: Well that's it everyone! Please feel free to share how you felt about the season as a whole in this thread as well. I know I'll be interested in hearing what you guys have to say! And Thank you all again for reading through these posts and commenting! It really does mean a lot to me and I'm sure the other posters here. We've recently broke 3,000 subscribers and it's all thanks to you guys being so active and hype around this weird TV channel :')

edit2: I still miss Yaku

I’ve been trying to find a place to watch it but it’s somehow been scrubbed from the internet. Does anyone know where I could watch it?

Corey is back from Star Salvation.

Is there going to be new seasons of worst cooks in America or Next Food Network Star? I haven’t seen any advertisements.

Why aren't all seasons available?

I'm trying to find Season 2 of The Next Food Network Star because of Guy. He's such a nerdy kid I want to watch his origin story. I'm having a hard time finding it streaming or while "surfing the seas", anybody have a solution?

Thank you