Have you ever imagined yourself as the next big Food Network star? The reality competition show “Next Food Network Star” has been turning amateur and professional cooks into television personalities since 2005. While Food Network has successfully launched careers, including the iconic Guy Fieri, not every winner becomes a network mainstay. Many Food Network Star Winners have, over time, moved away from the channel to pursue other culinary and life adventures. Let’s dive into the stories of some of these Food Network Star winners and discover what they’ve been up to since their time in the spotlight.
The Hearty Boys: From Food Network to Chicago Catering Kings
Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, known as The Hearty Boys, winners of the first season of “Next Food Network Star”.
The inaugural season of “Next Food Network Star” in 2005 made history by crowning two winners: the dynamic duo known as The Hearty Boys. Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, partners in both business and life from Chicago, entered the competition as a pre-existing team. Already established with a successful catering business in Chicago for over two decades and raising a son, Nate, together, their culinary expertise and on-screen chemistry were undeniable.
Their victory landed them a 30-minute Food Network show, “Party Line with the Hearty Boys,” which enjoyed a three-season run. The show was groundbreaking for its time, featuring the first openly gay couple to host a TV series, focusing on entertaining and party planning with episodes like “Buffet Cocktail Party” and “Game Day Gathering.” Despite the show’s initial promise and barrier-breaking representation, it faced cancellation relatively quickly. However, their journey with Food Network was just the beginning of their thriving culinary careers.
While their television stint was brief, The Hearty Boys returned to their entrepreneurial roots in Chicago. They opened a restaurant, HB: A Hearty Boys Spot (later HB Home Bistro), expanded their culinary repertoire with “Talk with Your Mouth Full: The Hearty Boys Cookbook,” and dedicated themselves fully to their catering business, Hearty Boys. Their catering is described as “blending contemporary urban sophistication with casual charm,” catering to weddings and corporate events. The Hearty Boys exemplify that winning “Food Network Star” can be a launchpad for diverse and enduring success beyond the network itself.
Amy Finley: From “Gourmet Next Door” to French Memoirist
Amy Finley, winner of season 3 of “Next Food Network Star”, known for her show “The Gourmet Next Door”.
Amy Finley, the Season 3 winner of “Next Food Network Star,” experienced an even shorter run on the network than The Hearty Boys. Her show, “The Gourmet Next Door,” charmed audiences with its approachable take on gourmet cooking, but it only aired for six episodes. Finley made the difficult decision to conclude the show prematurely due to a family matter, relocating with her family to Burgundy, France.
This life change became the inspiration for her critically acclaimed memoir, “How to Eat a Small Country: A Family’s Pursuit of Happiness, One Meal at a Time,” published in 2011. The book delves into her family’s experiences in France, exploring French cuisine and culture with warmth and humor. Kirkus Reviews lauded the book as “a charming, bare-bones chronicle of a woman reclaiming her family and a couple reclaiming their relationship, all through the healing qualities of time, honesty, and food,” highlighting the deeply personal nature of her decision to leave the Food Network spotlight.
Finley’s career path shifted from on-screen chef to author. In a Food Network interview, she reflected that “writing lets me explore the culture of food and cooking — the hows and whys of what people eat — and still be available to pick up Indy and Scarlett from school, which I love. And I love to write — I’m lucky.” While her primary focus became writing, Finley briefly returned to Food Network in 2012 for a special “Chopped” episode featuring past “Next Food Network Star” winners, competing for charity alongside Melissa d’Arabian, Jeff Mauro, and Aarti Sequeira. Though eliminated in the second round, her appearance was a reminder of her enduring connection to the network. Amy Finley’s journey demonstrates a significant career pivot, finding success and fulfillment in writing after her “Food Network Star” win.
Aaron McCargo Jr.: “Big Daddy’s House” and Community Impact
Chef Aaron McCargo Jr., winner of season 4 of “Next Food Network Star” and host of “Big Daddy’s House”.
Season 4 of “Next Food Network Star” saw Aaron McCargo Jr. take the crown. His Food Network show, “Big Daddy’s House,” resonated with audiences for six seasons, from 2008 to 2011. Food Network reported that the show quickly became the “number one ‘In the Kitchen’ weekend show during its initial six-episode run.” McCargo Jr.’s appeal stemmed from his relatable family-man image (married with three children) and his infectious enthusiasm for cooking hearty, flavorful food.
Beyond his television success, McCargo Jr. dedicated himself to community work. In 2008, he established Play To Win, a mentoring program for young men aged 14 to 24 in his hometown of Camden, New Jersey. His commitment to Camden led to the city’s Mayor declaring September 25 as Aaron McCargo, Jr. Day in 2008, coinciding with him receiving the keys to the city. His philanthropic efforts extended to collaborations with Great American Dine Out and Share Our Strength.
McCargo Jr. maintained a visible media presence beyond Food Network. He made appearances on national shows like “The Today Show,” “The Talk,” and “Good Morning America,” and frequently appeared on Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue.” He authored the cookbook “Simply Done, Well Done” in 2010 and launched product lines including McCargo’s Flavor of Bold spices and Jersey BBQ sauces. Aaron McCargo Jr.’s post-“Food Network Star” career is marked by a blend of culinary entrepreneurship, media appearances, and significant community engagement, demonstrating a multi-faceted approach to success.
Melissa d’Arabian: “Ten Dollar Dinners” and a Career Reinvention
Melissa d’Arabian, winner of season 5 of “Next Food Network Star”, known for her show “Ten Dollar Dinners”.
Melissa d’Arabian, winner of Season 5, captivated viewers with her concept of budget-friendly gourmet cooking, leading to her show “Ten Dollar Dinners.” The show aired for seven successful seasons from 2009 to 2012, built on the premise of creating delicious meals for families of four for $10 or less, a particularly relevant concept given d’Arabian’s own role as a mother of four. Her show’s popularity translated into a “New York Times” bestselling cookbook, “Ten Dollar Dinners: 140 Recipes and Tips to Elevate Simple, Fresh Meals Any Night of the Week,” released in 2012.
She followed up with two more books: “Supermarket Healthy: Recipes and Know-How for Eating Well Without Spending a Lot” in 2014, an Amazon Editors’ Pick, and “Tasting Grace: Discovering the Power of Food to Connect Us to God, One Another, and Ourselves,” exploring the intersection of food and faith.
After “Ten Dollar Dinners” concluded, d’Arabian continued her relationship with FoodNetwork.com, developing web series like “The Picky Eaters Project” and “Smart Carts.” She also remained a familiar face on Food Network, appearing on shows like “Chopped” and “Guy’s Grocery Games,” and broadened her reach with appearances on “Hallmark’s Home & Family,” “CBS This Morning,” and “The Rachael Ray Show.” In a surprising career shift announced in 2023 via Instagram, d’Arabian revealed her return to her early passion for theater, pursuing an MFA in Theatre Management & Producing at Columbia University. Melissa d’Arabian’s journey showcases a successful and evolving career, moving from “Food Network Star” to cookbook author, and ultimately reinventing herself by returning to her theatrical roots.
Lenny McNab: A Controversial Win and a Quiet Culinary Path
Lenny McNab, winner of season 10 of “Next Food Network Star”, known for his cowboy persona, but faced controversy.
Season 10 of “Next Food Network Star” in 2014 brought forth the most controversial winner in the show’s history: Lenny McNab. Despite winning the season, the “cowboy chef” never filmed a single episode of his own Food Network show. Offensive online comments surfaced shortly after his win, derailing his network trajectory.
While many of the remarks have been removed from the internet, reports indicated some were sexually explicit and directed towards Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, another Food Network personality. There were also allegations of inappropriate videos posted online.
According to Food Network’s last public update, McNab was working as an executive chef at a hunting ranch. His LinkedIn profile suggests he remains at Kessler Canyon in Colorado. His social media activity ceased in 2015, indicating a retreat from the public eye. Lenny McNab’s story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of public image and responsible online conduct for Food Network personalities.
Tregaye Fraser: Breaking Barriers and Building Her Own Empire
Tregaye Fraser, winner of season 12 of “Next Food Network Star”, the first African American woman to win, and host of “Tregaye’s Way”.
Tregaye Fraser, the Season 12 winner, made history as the first African American woman to win “Next Food Network Star.” Hailing from Atlanta, Fraser initially co-hosted “Kitchen Sink” in 2017, which ran for two seasons. She also made appearances on other Food Network shows like “Guy’s Grocery Games” and “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” However, Fraser transitioned to creating her own platform, launching her show “Tregaye’s Way” on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network in 2020 as one of the network’s original cooking programs. “Tregaye’s Way” focuses on family-friendly meals, showcasing her vibrant personality and culinary skills.
Adding to her accomplishments, Fraser released a cookbook in 2021, “Kitchen Conversations with Chef Tregaye Fraser.” She also established a non-profit, Playing the Game Tour, bringing professional chefs to schools.
Fraser actively engages with her audience through social media, frequently sharing recipes. She also hosts in-person events, like her Friendsgiving celebration in Atlanta in November 2024. Tregaye Fraser’s career trajectory exemplifies building upon her “Food Network Star” win to forge her own path, creating a successful brand and platform beyond the network itself.
Jason Smith: “Lord Honey” and Reality TV Crossover
Jason Smith, winner of season 13 of “Next Food Network Star”, known for his “country bling” style and “Lord Honey” persona.
Jason Smith, the Season 13 winner from Kentucky, charmed audiences with his “country bling” culinary style, modernizing traditional country recipes with flair. His flamboyant outfits further enhanced his on-screen persona. Smith was already familiar with Food Network success, having won “Holiday Baking Championship” Season 3 and “Holiday Baking Championship: Kids vs Adults” in 2016. He also appeared as a judge on “Best Baker in America” and “Christmas Cookie Challenge.”
Beyond cooking, Smith is an award-winning floral designer and event planner and is involved with the School Nutrition Association. He has released two cookbooks and sells merchandise branded with his nickname “Lord Honey” on his website.
In 2024, Smith ventured into broader reality television, appearing as a contestant on “The GOAT” on Amazon Prime Video. This show features reality TV stars from various franchises competing to be crowned the “greatest of all time.” Jason Smith’s career demonstrates versatility, extending his “Food Network Star” win into cookbooks, merchandise, and participation in wider reality TV, solidifying his “Lord Honey” brand.
Christian Petroni: From “Chopped Junior” to Dallas Pizza Scene
Christian Petroni, co-winner of season 14 of “Next Food Network Star”, a New York chef who returned to his restaurant roots.
The final season of “Next Food Network Star,” Season 14, resulted in a tie with two winners: Christian Petroni and Jessica Tom. Christian Petroni was already a known figure in the culinary world before his win, a New York chef and founder of the Italian restaurant Fortina. He had prior Food Network experience on shows like “Chopped Junior” and “The Kitchen.”
Despite his “Food Network Star” victory, Petroni did not launch his own show. He continued to appear on Food Network in shows like “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,” “Supermarket Stakeout,” and “Beat Bobby Flay,” but these were often guest appearances. In a 2022 interview with Edible Hudson Valley, Petroni expressed contentment returning to his restaurant and family life.
Petroni also markets branded merchandise, including t-shirts and cutting boards. In January 2024, he expanded his culinary footprint, becoming the culinary director for Cane Rosso, Zoli’s NY Pizza, and Thunderbird Pies, pizza restaurants in the Dallas area. His role involves recipe development and hospitality oversight. Christian Petroni’s post-“Food Network Star” path prioritizes his restaurant career and family, while maintaining a presence in the culinary and media landscape.
Jessica Tom: From Culinary Stage to Novelist’s Pen
Jessica Tom, co-winner of season 14 of “Next Food Network Star”, who transitioned to becoming a novelist.
Jessica Tom, the co-winner of Season 14 alongside Christian Petroni, also had prior Food Network experience on “Cooks vs Cons.” Like Petroni, she did not get her own show after winning “Next Food Network Star,” though she did appear on shows like “Good Morning America” and “The Today Show.”
Tom’s background in fiction writing, holding a degree from Yale, naturally led her to pursue a literary path. Her debut novel, “Food Whore: A Novel of Dining & Deceit,” set in the New York restaurant scene, was released to positive reviews. Kirkus Reviews called it “fun and compulsively readable,” and BuzzFeed included it in “31 Books You Need To Bring To The Beach This Summer.” DreamWorks acquired the film rights in 2015.
Tom also wrote a personal essay published in The New York Times in 2020, “Waiting for My Baby Boy, Worrying About My Baby Brother,” reflecting on her personal experiences during pregnancy amidst a family health crisis during the pandemic. Jessica Tom’s post-“Food Network Star” career highlights a successful transition from the culinary world to authorship, leveraging her writing talents to create compelling narratives.
These Food Network Star winners showcase diverse paths after their time on the show. While not all became long-term Food Network hosts, many have found success and fulfillment in various culinary and creative fields, proving that winning the show is just one chapter in their evolving careers.
