| 2 area caterers compete on overhauled 'Food Network Star' Food Network personalities Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis are vacating their spots at the judges' table to square off with Alton Brown in a three-way team competition to find the network's next star. Oak Park caterer Judson Allen, who grew up in Chatham, landed on Brown's team. Sigle, who teaches a slew of fitness classes along with running Nostalgic Catering, said starring in her own television program would be great, but it's not her main motivation for going on the show. "There are two things I love in life: food and entertaining people," Allen said. "I auditioned in 2009 and every year after that until I made it," said Allen, who has a degree in food science from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. "I'm really hoping to get some recognition, so I can look for investors for a cafe here in Chicago," Sigle said. He's now down to 218 pounds. In this season's two-hour premiere, teams must create their own pop-up restaurant with a scant budget and little time. Food Network executives Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson, along with a roster of guest judges, decide who goes home. If Allen wins, it will be the second year in a row a local has been crowned the next Food Network star. He started his catering company, Healthy Infused Cuisine, in 2007. "That's been my dream for so many years. |
Saturday, 12 May 2012
2 area caterers compete on overhauled 'Food Network Star'
