Lisa Garza Is Fuming...With Perfect Bangs

So a few weeks back Aaron McCargo Jr. took home the crown on Next Food Network Star. I wasn't crazy about any of the finalists but out of the top three he was definitely the right pick.

Plus, Food Network could really use some more on-air talent of color. (Sidenote: With that in mind, did they have to call his show Big Daddy's House? Honestly?)

So McCargo's show premiered on Sunday and it was a solid first performance. He got his children involved, he looked pretty comfortable and the food looked delicious. Seriously, I haven't wanted to make a pork sandwich that badly since I saw Babe: Pig In The City.

Anyway, it looks like McCargo is off to Food Network stardom, but he won't be alone.

Food Network star finalist and funnyman, Adam Gertler will star in Will Work For Food. He'll work alongside people in the food industry (think everything from milking cows and berry picking to feeding thousands at a hospital).

Adam was a sucky cook so a show out of the kitchen will be great for him.

It's a shame they can't find anything for Lisa Garza though. Maybe she can find something to do back on the mothership.

Photo: http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/

Mary Nolan: How Do You Do It?

Mary Nolan has one of those "rise-to-fame" stories you only hear about on E! True Hollywood Story. Nolan, a 2004 graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Madison School of Journalism, moved to New York just a few weeks after commencement. Thanks to an internship at Madison Magazine and a stint in Tuscany learning about cooking, she landed a job at foodie bible Gourmet Magazine.

She worked at Gourmet for a few years before enrolling at the Institute For Culinary Education. With journalism and culinary chops, Nolan decided to make an audition tape for the popular Food Network reality competition, The Next Food Network Star. Despite having zero television experience, Food Network approached her about starting work on a pilot of her own.

Nolan's show, Chic & Easy, premiered May 18. Her recipes focus on fresh ingredients, and simple elegant dishes. She seemed a little rushed and unconfident in the TV kitchen during the pilot. She might relax more on location. I can see her doing a food-travel show, maybe checking out the world's best farmer's markets? I don't think Nolan will be the next big Food Network personality but she'll probably be around for awhile.

Check out Nolan's show on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM/8:30 central. Once you see it, let me know if you think Nolan just lucked out, or truly deserves her own show. Maybe it's a little bit of both.