Here’s the Next Food Network Star episode two recap video followed by my commentary … so if you didn’t catch it Sunday night and are planning to watch it during one of the repeats this week, don’t click. Otherwise, enjoy.

So what happened on the Next Food Network Star last week? The nine contestants were given a Dinner:Impossible style challenge complete with chef Robert Irvine giving them directions. They awaken at three in the morning, are sent throughout NYC to pick up cheese, bread and meat. At each stop answering a question showing their knowledge or doing a prep work assignment. The teams end up at some train station in New Jersey where they each now have to cook a brunch on a train within 45 minutes for the three-judge team plus Irvine and another 30 passengers.

A lot happened but here are the highlights. Crazy Lisa, aka the “Dallas Diva” as we like to call her over at ChowHound, was actually impressive this time around. In the negative area, Adam makes a horrendous runny eggs dish — so bad even one of his team mate warns him before and during not to — yet he stays. Shane stutters all over himself again and also remains. Nipa literally walks out of the judging room — and they freaking keep her!!!! Insane! And Kevin who doesn’t have his point of view down and who wasn’t all that bad gets axed!! Huh?

I’m thinking the judges were watching another show or something. Geez, they so want an Indian cook they will apparently let a major diva tantrum go unchecked?! O, backbone! Where for art thou?

Want to know something though? For some reason this was way more entertaining than the first show. Even though Flay is not the host as they allege in their promotions. And even though I think the judges are nutso — yeah, Bob T, I read your judges blog at FN and you say Nipa was a different person before being on the show; gusss what little buddy, we only have the show to go by; that’s the purpose of the show btw. So I don’t give a rat’s butt if Miz Jekyll became Miz Hyde for the first two episodes. That’s what I’m judging on and that is what you are supposed to judge on!

Yo, and Bobby Flay and Sue, you’re votes counted as well; you’re not getting out of this clean either. So nyah! There, that showed you.

{10 Jun 2008}