Let's rally to support a very new Kirkland resident (she just moved here this week!) named Melissa d'Arabian who is one of the remaining three finalists on season five of "The Next Food Network Star." (photo left courtesy of Food Network)
Wow-our city is really making it's mark on reality TV! Goodbye Jason , hello Melissa. She and her husband and four daughters (yes, I said 4!!) just moved here from Texas. They would love for you to join them at their viewing party on Sunday July 26th from 5-8pm at Hector's where Chef Chris Nelson will be preparing a special appetizer dish inspired by one of Melissa's recipes.
Sunday's episode airs at 9pm on Food Network and you will get to see the remaining 3 finalists lunch with Emeril Lagasse and learn that they must create a three-course menu for a group of culinary elite inspired by a screening of Columbia Pictures' movie Julia & Julia. One finalist will be eliminated, sending the other two on to the series finale on Sunday 8/2. The winner receives a six-episode cooking show that will premiere in August.
I checked out the videos of Melissa online and this woman has got some serious energy. I thought I had lots of kids really close in age, but she has me trumped with 4 kids in 3 years AND she cooks. AND moves across the country AND is about to have her own cooking show AND smiles/laughs a lot. Darn it, you're making the rest of us look bad, Melissa! But whatever-we love you anyway! Maybe you can share some of your secrets with us on Sunday night? Welcome to Kirkland, Melissa. ~j

This is so weird Janice. I met this woman and her beautiful girls today at a park. Our older girls were playing together. Then I come home and read this. I had no idea this was her as I haven't been following the show, but a couple of friends were JUST telling me about it yesterday! Yes, she had a ton of energy! Hope she does well, I need to check out her recipes.
Posted by: Angie | July 25, 2009 at 03:59 PM