Watching Rachael Ray

Hi ya’ll! It’s been a while since we’ve had a new episode to recap - I’m rather giddy at the thought! So let’s get right to it, hm? On today’s episode, the remaining five contestants of the Next Food Network Star are put to the test in Rachael’s kitchen. Today it’s all cooking, all the time!

Rachael comes to the studio swinging a stopwatch around her finger, and lets them know what’s going on. Bobby Flay gave the challenge to the contestants, that they had to get their ingredients, and create a kid friendly meal. Then they were told they were doing it in a four minute demo live on the show - with the help of a Girl Scout Brownie! (the girl, not the cookie. ha!) The judges are watching by remote, so that they can see how the finalists perform on screen. They’re looking for excitement, good and nutricious food, and kid friendly - and the ability to handle working with Rach. Heh. Now we know the catch, right?

Adam is up first, with Shenasia (they didn’t put up her name, sorry if I spell it wrong!) who is 8. Rachael gets them started, and he explains their menu where they wanted all their favorite things together, including ice cream in a sandwich. The ice cream melted, so they’re going plan B - bbq. Shenasia is making Fruit Kabobs, and he is talking quickly, but not too fast. He seems pretty confident and even pulls Rachael in and puts her to work. They’re making a BBQ Chicken Packed Pita, with Fruit Kabobs. He does well, but he sort of leaves Shenasia off on her own till the end, where she has her add the dipping sauce. He finishes with 30 seconds to spare, and Shenasia says it’s fantastic and even takes the plate off to finish eating it.

Next up is Kelsey, the recent graduate from culinary school. She says she’s the ‘how-to- girl and is making a fun breakfast with a Banana Boat with the help of young Demitra. Kelsey says she’s going to put Rach to work right away, and talks about how she hated eggs, and has Rachael scramble the eggs for her. Rachael asks what she’s going to do while Rachael is doing her job - Kelsey laughs and says she’ll be helping her helper make the banana boat. Kelsey is chatty, and she took her helpers ideas and even has breakfast meatballs as a side dish. Demitra is SO CUTE, and Kelsey does a good job keeping her involved through the whole process. Demetra declares it delish with 7 seconds to spare while Rachael calls them ‘baby girls’ for the umpteenth time and I kind of want to stab her for it.

Shane is next, and we hear how he lost all his excess weight as he learned to cook and graduated the Culinary Institute at age 18, youngest ever! He’s ready to throwdown with his helper Francesca. He’s making a variation of Chicken Cordon Bleu. Rachael loves him the instant he said he’s a cook not a chef, and gets messy doing the breading. He’s doing well, but hasn’t included his kiddo just yet - ah, there he goes. She adds some mustard to a pan, honey and orange juice with Rachael’s help as he washes up. He’s serving it with Rattatouille. Rach is sort of taking over this segment as she keeps Francesca involved. He finishes without a second to spare.

I’m dying to see how Lisa interacts with her kid helper, as she just doesn’t look very kidfriendly to me. Or even friendly. Maybe I just hate her hair. And eyebrows. And heels. And ‘perfection’. But well, who can tell, right? Here we go…

Lisa is being helped by Haley, and Lisa hugs her and says she got the best Brownie because she loves Horseradish. Lisa says that she and Haley had a great conversation, and you don’t have to dumb your food down so that your kids can eat it. Haley is making the horseradish cream sauce that they’re going to serve with simple steak. Haley gets busy, and Lisa talks and makes steak, saying that kids miss out on healthy proteins that don’t have to be expensive. She says this meal is 10 bucks for a family of three, and including 15 minutes to shop, be done in 30 minutes total. They’re serving broccoli and cous-cous on the side. It’s simple and easy, and Lisa says to keep the kids involved so they grow up loving great and nutritious foods. They plate with barely seconds to spare, but it’s a well balanced and fast meal and I’m pleasantly surprised by how well Lisa did with her helper. Guess she’s less severe then her haircut. Heh.

Last but not least, it’s Aaron’s turn, who’s going to make Broccoli and Burger Pizza with his helper McKayla, who’s totally cute and an excited screamer. He has her involved right off the top even as they wash up - and talks about his three kids that he has at home, saying McKayla would fit right in. She has her rolling out her dough for their pizza, and she’s giggling as he puts flour on her cheek so everyone knows they’re working hard. He has McKayla is completely involved with this one - he’s really showing off his Daddy skills along with his cooking skills. They finish with time to spare, and there’s a lot of love as McKayla grabs the plate and takes it with her. Too cute!

Whew. That was a whole lotta cookin and we’re not done yet - but first the judges are in the kitchen to talk to Rachael. The Judges have compliments for all of them, no one seemed overly intimidated at all. I have to laugh though when Rachael says that her first time in front of a live audience she was bouncing off the walls and it wasn’t pretty - hahahha! Ahem. They were all happy with how the contestants came alive and did well with the kid helpers.

The contestants join them on stage, and Rachael gives them props for their performances, then she has a surprise for them. The four finalists will be performing in Las Vegas! But that’s all we’ll find out, because the conclusion of the show is on Sunday for The Next Food Network Star.

Believe it or not - after all that, there’s still dinner! Red, White and Blue Grilled BBQ Potato Salad and Turkey Chilli Cheeseburgers.