During Sunday night's season finale, three potential Food Network finalists met with executives Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson, and celebrity chef Bobby Flay as the final results of "The Next Food Network Star" were revealed. And the winner of Season 6 is Aarti Sequeira, a 31-year-old food blogger from Los Angeles whose specialty in Indian cuisine consistently impressed the judges.
The finalists -- Herb Mesa, Tom Pizzica, and Aarti -- were required to shoot their own 3-minute pilot episode, which would then be critiqued by a focus group of Food Network viewers. As a surprise twist, each contestant received valuable training and direction from Emmy-winning chef Rachael Ray in between takes.
During Herb's "Cooking Con Sabor," he prepared a healthy-yet-flavorful frittata with bell peppers and chicken sausage. Tom used his "Big Chef" boisterous personality to create a roasted chicken stuffed with portobello mushrooms. And Aarti baked an Indian-inspired pizza with mango chutney as a part of her newly-acquired series, "Aarti Party."
Each pilot was well-received by the focus group and the judging panel, making the decision much harder, according to Tuschman. "We brought the right three people back. You, all three, honestly have star potential," he said.
Here are Aarti's thoughts immediately after winning the competition: "I'm waiting for it to all sort of sink in. It just feels magical, like this is the beginning of something. I don't think I was mature enough to do something like this five years ago. It doesn't matter where you are -- just hold on, just keep going, because something huge could happen."
"Aarti Party" will premiere on Sunday, August 22 at 12 p.m. ET.
Source: Reality TV World
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