and the winner is . . .

three weeks ago, food network contacted andy, beth, carissa, evette, nathan and me, inviting us back to new york to tape the finale and also to surprise guy and reggie. the six of us did our best to keep our mouths shut, which did not prove to be an easy task, but i think we pulled it off in the end.  the six of us arrived in bustling times square last thursday, staying at a hotel just  one block from our illuminated "the next food network star" billboard. if someone were to have told me six months ago that my face would find itself in the bright light madness of times square, i would have laughed in their face. i guess it goes to show you that you never know where life might take you.

that evening we all went out for a pre-celebratory dinner in honor of our two finalists (who still did not know we were in the city) at anthony bourdain's les halles. it was quite the affair with fiances and spouses in tow, plus appearances from the real stars, producer neil regan, associate producer sarah mcbride and broadcast associate emily young. it was just a great reunion to be back with this group of people who i shared quite a unique life experience with just a few months ago. after dinner, neil led us to a nearby bar for drinks where ironically we also met up with guy's friends "dirty p," lisa, daly, nancy and billy who promised to keep our secret from guy.

friday morning, the six of us made it back to our old stomping grounds in chelsea market. we rehearsed the reveal several times with everyone but reggie and guy. the poor things were being housed in separate rooms upstairs with no idea of what to expect next. as it neared time for the real thing, i felt that nauseous "i need to vomit" feeling all over again. although no cooking challenges were ahead of me, i knew the biggest "elimination" was ahead of us. i couldn't even imagine what guy and reggie were going through. for over four months the two of them who have been waiting on this outcome, putting their lives on hold essentially, investing great time and energy in promoting the show and themselves. when the announcement was finally made, i was overcome with both feelings of great both joy and sadness.

still, i was ecstatic that i could share in this moment with the both of them. if you tuned into the finale of the "the next food network star, season 2," you know that guy fieri was crowned our next food network star. it's an honor and title that both guy and reggie deserved, but of course, in the end, only one person could be chosen. however, i don't expect that this is the last we'll hear from our simply spectacular reggie southerland. i know reggie is going to go on and continue pursuing his love for food, pouring that creative soul of his into his work. reggie is starting his own cookie company, so hopefully very, very soon, you'll be able to bring some of that southern sass into your own home. i will admit, i am not a cookie person, but after a visit to reggie's comfort cafe, i am sold. every bite of reg's cookies are exactly what you would expect from reggie southerland - they have life and soul to them; they are filled with rich and spectacular flavors but in the end they are just simply cookies. as for guy, well, stay tuned for this man's big cooking show debut on june 25th because it's gonna be off the hook.

that night, bar americain, an incredibly classy joint as well as bobby flay's latest culinary creation, was shut down for a huge wrap party. we all celebrated for guy and reggie, we celebrated an amazing experience, we celebrated the new friendships we made along the way. it was an amazing party. check out the pictures by clicking on the photo album, "it's a wrap." even though, it's now all said and done, i'm still pinching myself to make sure it all really happened. like i said, in my food network journal, i just feel incredibly blessed to have been part of this experience and to have so many great people. this june, guy, beth and i will be trekking to corn country to see andy get married. shortly after that, it will be beth and carissa's turn. and i still plan on making trips up to santa rosa. after all, someone's gotta keep guy in check and make sure he doesn't get a big head now that he is a huge food network star. just kidding. i don't think anything could ever change this man. he will remain the gracious, loyal and wonderful nut he always has been regardless of all the success and fame that is in store for him. congrats guid!

Comments

[Brent]

Woooooo! Yeah Santa Rosa! I was on a plane so I couldn't watch the episode. I've been refreshing your blog every 20 minutes or so, wanting only to hear the results from the most trusted source of my food news, The Petite Pig. I hope you tivo'd it or something!

[Amy]

I voted for Guy, but I made Reggie's Balsamic-Glazed chicken tonight and now I'm wishing I voted for Reggie! If you haven't tried his recipe yet, you need to. It's fantastic! Reggie needs to put out his own cookbook. I'll buy it...

Speaking of Guy, I think his show will be good. I'll tune in just to see what wildly-named recipe concoction he comes up with.

I really enjoyed this round of The Next Food Network Star.

[Cate O'Malley]

I loved, loved, loved the show and will miss it on Sunday nights. Sounds like you had a great time on your return to NYC!

[Tracy]

Guy's pilot was really good. He pulled together the whole package. I'm looking forward to catching his show in June!

[annie cormier]

Hi Guy,

I love your show its HOT!!! Did you open your resturant in Sacramento yet? Pleases email me back.