Staff Blog
Aaron McCargo Jr. is The Next Food Network Star
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| Aaron McCargo Jr. |
| foodnetwork.com |
McCargo's prize: His own weekly series, Big Daddy's House (it'll debut next Sunday at 1:30 p.m.), and a feature in Bon Appetit magazine.
Pick at the cheese factor of the Food Network all you want, but the fact that 66 percent of this season's finalists hailed from the area gives our national dining profile a huge boost.
In the final episode, each of the three finalists were asked to develop a pilot concept and produce a short presentation clip with the help of basic cable omnipresence Gordon Elliott. McCargo's idea — sharing "his passion for big, bold flavors and fun, family cooking" — ended up translating best to the judges' panel.
Coming into the final decision, I have to say that I thought the polished, plucky Garza, she of the Tracy Flickian can't-keep-her-down demeanor, was going to be Flay-ified. But I think it was McCargo's sincerity in front of the camera that sealed it up for him. It was definitely a three-horse race, though — both Garza and Gertler presented great final products. They could both have their own shows on any other network.
One thing that I found interesting: Gertler's pilot concept, Hungry in Philadelphia, involved him addressing culinary questions/dilemmas via webcam — a viewer would e-mail in a topic, Gertler would answer from his home kitchen while he/she watched on iChat, etc. Sounds a whole hell of a lot like new show Ask Aida, which debuts Aug. 2:
Each episode will highlight a specific topic inspired by viewer-submitted video and email questions that Aida will answer as she whips up tasty recipes that utilize the ingredient or theme.
We don't have a realistic grip on the timeframe of all this, of course, but doesn't it seem like Food Network took Gertler's idea and replaced him with CHOW's Aida Mollenkamp? Fishy.
Regardless, let's not take anything away from McCargo. Camden stand up.
[...] by unusually strong currents this weekend. • Camden’s own Aaron McCargo Jr. is the winner of Food Network’s The Next Food Network Star. • A sneak peek at X-Men Origins: Wolverine premiered at [...]
It was a tight race, one personally I didn’t think Aaron would pull off given some of the past winners and what I thought the Food Network viewing audience demographics preferences might. The judges always say it’s about food, I certainly that is a large part of why I watch the food network advently as do others; but personality and relatabiltiy of the TV chef also resonates equally as much for. As an African American male, I am delighted to see someone win who looks like me, and boy, can he cook! It’s about time! Congrats Aaron. May the food network viewers fully embrace you and may all your culinary dreams come true by having a wildly successful first season.
You did it man!!!
I was rootin’ for Aaron from the 1st day the competition was on (day 1). God Bless you and congratulations!
I was watching this show from day one and was heated if I almost missed one moment of it. I am an Aaron fan all the way. I was hoping he would pull it through and he did, I was just as excited for him, probably as his family and as he was for himself. Running around my apt screaming “yeah, yeah, I knew it, I knew it” (just to give you a visual) I’m glad the judges made the correct decision. If you don’t know… you betta get wit the program, “Big Daddy’s House”!!! (with a snap of the fingers)
I think that you are awesome. What college did you go to? I’d like to be on the next food next work show!
[...] Camden’s Aaron McCargo Jr., who worked as Jefferson’s executive catering chef before winning Season 4 of The Next Food Network Star, lent a hand preparing dinner on his home turf.Wan’s Seafood and Iovine Brothers Produce were [...]
[...] Tongue and Groove improviser Adam Gertler will NOT be The Next Food Network Star, but Camden’s Aaron McCargo Jr. is. [...]
Who gives a fuck about your opinions people! What’s done is done! Live with it