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Melissa's debut on FoodNetwork

17 years ago

I am looking forward to seeing Melissa's show today. During the competition I always thought her personality was well suited for TV.

Not sure why they pigeon-holed her into 10.00 meals but should be interesting.

Sue

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Comments (11)

claire_de_luna
17 years ago
Well, someone other than Sandra Lee had to do it, and at least Melissa has some credibility since she's cooking for her family. They don't really have a show like that, and I think it's good the FN is actually addressing the fact that we're in a recession.

I hope it works out well for her.
pkramer60
17 years ago
Since the temps on my shady patio hit 98 at 11:30 this morning, I wnet in and watched the show. Not bad, I did not find her annoying, like RR or the "get a room" Neelys. And the recipes were good. I know the potato tart would go over in this house.
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I haven't been able to watch much on the Food Network - it's too East Coast for me. At one point I was going to apply to be a contestant on the show you mentioned, but then I noticed that it would have required spending two weeks of February in NYC, and there was no way I could handle February in NY. I went the first week of December one year, and it was the coldest experience of my life. The temps were only around 30 degrees, but the chill from the winds coming down the avenues was far colder than anything else I had ever experienced. My style of cooking is also very different - I almost never use salt, and I see people adding salt to recipes with every step on that show - that turns me off to any of those recipes. I would like to see them do episodes with a ban on salt & pepper. I tend to use chilies more than black pepper, although pepper bothers me less than salt. I do watch Project Runway, however! Since I no longer do fashion design (and am too old), I never considered being a contestant on that show, however. Lars
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annie1992
17 years ago
Well, she would have more credibility with me on her $10 meals if she didn't spend the entire show talking about how she lived in Paris and ate at the little cafes.

So much for the "Mom cooking for her kids" angle. She wasn't as annoying as the Neelys, I agree, but I get the feeling she's never had to worry about how much her grocery bill is.

I just didn't really care for her (which means nothing, I didn't like any of the contestants very much). I'll have to watch her a couple of times to see if it's first impression or if she's going to be tolerable long term.

Her potato torte sounded pretty good, although I'm not sure how she could possibly make that meal for under $10. Do they not count anything you should already have, like potatoes or olive oil for the salad dressing? The frozen apple sauce stuff just didn't sound good at all to me either, but I'll bet the Monkey Princess and Bruvver would eat it.

Plus she's talking about "if you're on a budget, buy Grade B maple syrup". Huh? Even the cheap maple syrup is $7 or $8 for a small bottle, and that's here in Michigan where we tap the trees and make the syrup!

Annie
teresa_nc7
17 years ago
Don't most foodies know the Grade B maple syrup has the most flavor? I wanted to see this show but missed it. Hoping they will show the video on the web site soon.

Teresa
cookingrvc
Original Author
17 years ago
I liked the show but felt it a bit rushed. I also don't like that she can't show off some of her more elaborate (expensive) type recipes due to the 10.00 limit.

I know that viewers can figure out how to ramp it up, but I think the restriction will ultimately rule out perhaps some of her finer dishes.

I think they should have explained that allowing the torte to rest will result in something less oozy (at least I suspect that was the problem). The still picture of the torte was far more what I would expect and enjoy than the goopy mess that she cut into.

In all I like her personality. I just wish that they didn't think they have to talk so loudly and be so energetic. I kind of like Ina because she is soothing and don't believe one has to be frenetic to keep a viewer engaged.

That's why I like Jacques Pepin and the others on PBS, they're calm and make me as a viewer feel more relaxed making it much easier to absorb their message.

Hopefully she'll hit her stride as I think she has very good potential.

Sue
annie1992
17 years ago
Sue, I agree, she's almost manic at times, I'm sure she was told to be "animated".

Annie
jessicavanderhoff
17 years ago
"I just wish that they didn't think they have to talk so loudly and be so energetic. I kind of like Ina because she is soothing and don't believe one has to be frenetic to keep a viewer engaged."

I couldn't agree more! Cooking, for me, is supposed to be relaxed, comforting, and low-key. The minute I hear an annoying catch phrase spoken in a a high, squeaky voice, I feel my blood pressure start to rise and change the channel. I like Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson. The Brits don't seem to be quite so nauseatingly theatrical about their cooking shows.
Marigene
17 years ago
Too much like Rachael Ray...don't need two loud, gabby fast moving people on the same network.
lyndaluu2
17 years ago
I'm so glad Melissa won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't wait to see her debut!!!!!!!!!!!!

Linda
eileenlaunonen
17 years ago
Seen it and it was exactly what i expected...wont be watching often.
sally2_gw
17 years ago
I totally forgot to watch or tape it. Maybe I'll think of it next week. Actually, I've rarely watched any of the shows done by the winners of The Next Food Network Star. I don't know why, but I think it's the time slot. I'm just not thinking of watching t.v. in the middle of the day on Sundays - I've got too much other stuff to do.

Sally

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