The first episode of Food Network Star - Season 7 has ended and one culinary hopeful has been sent home with his dream of his own show squashed forever.
It's always embarrassing to be the first to be eliminated but Howie Drummond, 40, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado was contestant number one to be shoved politely out the door. Howie's career as a local radio show host should have given him an advantage but unfortunately that never materialized.


Neither did his working in the restaurant business for seven years or his hosting a local TV cooking show for three years in Denver. Seems hard to fail with those credentials but Howie managed to sabotage himself with his unexciting promo shot and his horrendous gnocchi dish at the end, which the judges described as 'gummy' and Giada de Laurentiis commented as "just not working."

The contestants shot promos at the Farmers Market with Alton Brown directing. Most of the hopefuls seemed woefully lost in front of the camera. Mary Beth Albright was exceptionally bad with her impression of a food writer which reminded me more of my third grade teacher, dull and boring. Also dreadful was Jyll Everman, a definite channel changer. Tattoo covered Vic Moea came off as down right angry. In reality, Vic was probably just overly excited but fellow contestant Justin Balmess showed real flashes of anger under stress. Penny Davidi's attempt at being sexy was anything but sexy and her repetitive use of the word 'sexy' only made the whole thing a little pathetic.

Alicia Sanchez's mousy style seemed to peeve Alton Brown. Alicia broke into tears several times under Alton's criticism. Finally, although definitely proficient in the kitchen, in front of the camera Chris Nirschel reminded me of a confused frat boy.

None of the contestants really shined this week but it is only the first week. First generation American Orchid Paulmeier (Bluffton, SC) impressed the judges with her cooking prowess. Stay-at-home-dad Justin Davis (Minneapolis) showed a little bit of his quirky side sporting a bow tie. And Juba Kali (New Orleans) and Susie Jimenez (Aspen, CO) weren't entirely atrocious. We'll see how the next episode of Food Network Star pans out and who goes packing.