This week the contestants experienced what it’s like to work at the very bottom of the culinary totem pole, just like Paula Deen did – who was their guest judge.
For their camera challenge, contestants had to “put themselves in a bottle” with their own product. Then instead of presenting in front of the camera as usual, they had to present to camera…and a live audience of a hundred people. Given how awkward all of these contestants can be, I was surprised when some – like Tom’s – went really well. On the other end, Serena’s was so embarrassingly bad that when I watched the episode on DVR, I just had to fast forward.
Since this was a special ninety-minute episode, there was a segment where Giada mentored the contestants one-on-one. I’d just like to take this time to say…I totally called it! Knew this was coming the second Giada was introduced as mentor, though I expected the sessions to happen more than once. Maybe that’ll happen again when we start getting to the top four or so.
After some petty house drama between Brianna and Serena (so it’s more “dramatic” when they’re paired as a team in the last challenge), Paula Deen and Bobby tell the contestants they have to run lunch trucks. Serena and Brianna actually work together well and pull a come-from-behind victory. Tom and Aarti also excel. However, Brad and Aria’s food isn’t impressive. Herb and Paul’s awkwardly over-the-top personalities drive the crowd away. By the end, there’s a clear top and bottom half, with Serena and Brianna actually winning over Tom and Aarti, though they’re a close second.
The Best
Aarti Sequeira: The judges love her no matter what she does. She didn’t finished her demo, yet the judges focused on how the crowd loved her personality. And her food consistently pleases the judges.
Herb Mesa: After a little slip last week, his personality is back to his previous level. He needs to work on his food though since the judges weren’t completely happy with neither his product nor his lunch truck offering
The Worst
Brad Sorenson: He’s been sliding by these past few weeks, but he continues to be totally forgettable. As in, whenever I make a mental list of NFNS contestants, his name is usually the one I forget. His personality and his food are mediocre at best. Unless he really steps it up next week, he’s going home.
Serena Palumbo: Her win this week was her saving grace. But she just can’t slow down and focus when she’s on camera. She has had a few culinary mistakes, so she could be in danger of going home if she messes up again.
Aria Kagan: I hesitate to put her in the bottom since she was so good in the beginning. But she’s fallen from grace. While I do think the judges are being a little harsh on her personality, her food hasn’t been where it needs to be. And she needs to add some more personal twists on the concept of “family style” in order for it to be solid.
The Rest
Brianna Jenkins: Her constantly excellent food would launch her into “The Best” category, but her personality is really holding her back. If she warmed up on camera, she could win this thing. But her nerves might cost her the competition.
Tom Pizzica: He’d also be one of the best, but what’s holding him back is his food. I’m really starting to like this guy, but he needs to get better in the kitchen.
Who Went Home
Paul Young: He was sent home a couple weeks too late, in my opinion. He’s been a wreck for a while now. No matter how much the judges pressured him, he just couldn’t come up with a decent point of view. And what we did see of his personality, he came off as either rude or fake. While his food was all right, it wasn’t enough to save him.
