Congratulations to Amy Finley for winning the 2007 Next Food Network Star competition! She will get her own show on the network (her competition theme was 'The Gourmet Next Door'). I think this season was much better than the previous two. The production crew obviously learned a lot from Top Chef and integrated much better angles into each episode.

While I thought Paul deserved a shot at the finals, he was axed just prior to the final challenge. Really unfortunate given that Jag was probably next to last that week and eventually 'withdrew' from the competition after disclosures surfaced about misrepresentations of facts about his culinary and military backgraounds. I like Rory, but she's a bit ... I dunno, too 'shiny'. Amy is much more the Giada type, laid back, comfortable, and very pretty in a less makeup intensive fashion than Rory.

Great job Amy!!!!

The new Next Food Network Star is on right now. Who will it be? Amy Finley, the Gourmet Next Door, or Rory Schepisi, the Backyard Bistro? Soon we'll know!