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Ultimate Recipe Showdown: Comfort Food

Published on January 4, 2009 By Emily. Updated on January 4, 2009

Tonight was the first episode of this season of Food Network’s Ultimate Recipe Showdown.  The theme was Comfort Food.

I felt strongly about the contestants from the get go.  Rick Massa’s  Cheese Lovers 5 Cheese Mac and Cheese sounded great, despite the judges’ concern that the blue cheese might be overpowering.  I thought blue cheese sounded yummy.  At any rate, he won round one and my sister wants the recipe.   His grilled cheese and tomato soup won the episode for him.  He deserved it.

On the other end of contestant spectrum was twenty-three year old Emily Hobbs.  Though I’m excited by the concept of a young contestant trying to save money for culinary school, I was quickly perplexed by where Food Network found her.  She seemed pretty unsure of herself (although she cooked decently) but it was her statements that really impressed me.  She was nervous because judge Michael Psilakis “is really hot” and she’s apparently scared of Guy Fieri’s hair (side note: there is no T in Fieri…why does he call himself Guy Fieti?  Makes me crazy) .  At any rate, she didn’t win.

Next week’s contest: Burgers.

I’m really excited about some other shows that are starting soon:
January  13    10pm     Chopped
January 15     10pm    Ace of Cakes
January 19    8:30pm  Will Work For Food (with Adam Gertler, who was my pick to win last season’s Food Network Star)

I’ll be tuning in and you can check here for my thoughts.

Related Posts

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Thoughts on Ultimate Recipe Showdown: Cakes
Barbecue Hit: Giada's Mediterranean Salad
Happy Birthday to Me!
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Filed Under: food Tagged With: Food Network, Ultimate Recipe Showdown

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Comments

  1. Ben Barker says

    January 8, 2009 at 1:50 am

    What is the purpose of a blog?
    Is it simply to give an over generalized recount of events on a given television show?
    Is it to blandly corroborate a bland opinion?
    One thing is for sure, Em, you certainly display your ignorance and American isolation.
    Fieri is an Italian name and Italians flip their Rs.
    Git atta yer house once in a while!

  2. andrea says

    January 12, 2009 at 4:22 pm

    I just had to say that the ultimate showdown comfort food was phenomenal and aside from the fabulous recipes diplayed I think, the one thing that really stood out was the commentary from the judges, was particulary Michael Psilakis who was pleasant and insightful and had many positive comments about the food. In most competition type show the judges just shred the competitors, picking at the most minute details until the poor chef’s are only left with a thread of confidence left, feeling like imbeciles in front of national TV. I hate to see anyone reduced to a ball of jello after enduring a highly intense competitiion. So I say, cudos! to you Micheal for giving positive feedback, besides when do amatuer chefs have chance to be critiqued by someone of your reputation? Sorry Guy your hair could not overcome Micheal’s great personality. Oh and by the way I’m glad FN found a way to utilize you since Bobby Flay is always the Iron Chef everyone challenges on that show. Here’s to many more Ultimate Food Challenges!

  3. Randomx6 says

    January 17, 2009 at 11:44 am

    I also like the judges but my favorite is the Food Network Director, Katherine Alford. She is so personable and precise in her critiques. She is always on point and offers helpful critiques and suggestions. But I like all 3 of them. The panel is much stronger than last years group of judges.

  4. Kirtia Arthur says

    February 11, 2009 at 4:01 pm

    Michael Psilakis is beau…ti..ful!!! He is soooooo cool and right on. Is anyone else mixing him up with Michael Symon?? I was lost for about a week after the show, thinking it was Michael Symon really….I even wrote to Michael Symon staff and joined his fan club on facebook… and tried googleing Chef Michael Salakis without the “p” in front of Salakis and found no leads until this blog! Do i need an intervention or what?

Trackbacks

  1. Lunchtime Revelation « relishments. says:
    January 26, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    […] and “give an over generalized recount of events on a given television show,” as one commenter phrased it?  It’s clear  from my stat reports that is what gets my visitor count up.  Only […]

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It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it t It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it to our second annual strawberry picking at @mountainviewfarm413, which included E's first tractor ride (she was very excited). We picked about 9 pounds of strawberries and I'm looking forward to eating them! 🍓
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I don't have clear words to express my feelings ab I don't have clear words to express my feelings about the state of the world lately. As a teacher and a mother, it has been extra difficult this week to be fully present in my roles without thinking about innocent lives that should have had longer on Earth. How what has happened in each of the many mass shootings this year can happen anywhere. If you are feeling sad and frustrated too, you are not alone.

I don't have answers, but I'm trying to take care of myself and my biological and school families. I'm saying "I love you" a lot to my children and my students. I'm closely following and sharing the work of @everytown while contacting my state and federal representatives and the president. I'm going for walks and getting fresh air and trying not to overload on news. I'm sharing good resources in my stories as I see them.
UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @aloh UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @alohr3!

 @thelazygenius' second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, is finally here and I'm so excited! I don't purchase many books, but I pre-ordered this last July because I knew it would be right up my alley and then I pre-ordered a second copy because I knew that I'd want to give one away.

Author Kendra Adachi has been one of my favorite voices in recent years. Her principles (shared through her first book, The Lazy Genius Podcast and her Instagram) have helped me focus my priorities and give myself more grace. 

This book is NOT a cookbook (it has just 2 recipes), it is a kitchen guide - to help you "have what you need, use what you have, and enjoy it like never before". It is beautiful (full color!) and thoughtful.

I'm very excited to send this book to one of you.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with one of your greatest kitchen struggles. 
I'll draw a winner at 8 pm on Friday, May 6.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.
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This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berk This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berkshire Teacher and Social Worker Appreciation Day free admission. After enjoying the student Art Invitational exhibit, the 4 of us took in several of the other galleries. Mass MoCA always impresses and it was delightful to be able to be out in the world with my kids.
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My January and early February menu plans for my @m My January and early February menu plans for my @mightyfoodfarm vegetables are finally up on the blog. See how we're making use of these beautiful items, as well as the items from the other pick up we made in the past month. 
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One of my favorite things to do is bake from scrat One of my favorite things to do is bake from scratch.
But, in the interest of full transparency, this pie was made with Pillsbury pie crusts and a $5 bag of Walmart Granny Smiths. I used the recipe on the pie crust box.
I am very excited to eat it.
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