5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe.
Spoiler alert all you TiVo devotees: Aarti Sequeira is the "Next Food Network Star."
The CNN producer (Editors' Note: woot!) turned culinary school graduate turned blogger was crowned the winner of season six on last night's finale. Born in Bombay, India and raised in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Aarti's recipes spruce up American classics with unique Indian influences. No time to dilly-dally on the victory though: Aarti's new show, "Aarti Party," is set to premiere Sunday, August 22 on the Food Network.
With the NFNS title now under her belt, Aarti is sharing her menu to celebrate. Don't be tardy to the Aarti Paarti!
5 Things I’ll Make Now That I Won "The Next Food Network Star": Aarti Sequeira
1. Roasted EVERYTHING
"Carrots, fennel, tomatoes, beets, sweet potatoes, lemons - when I come back from the farmers market and I'm not sure what to do with all that organic booty, I just toss it with olive oil, salt, pepper and some ground coriander and bung it in the oven. That gave birth to one of my favorite meals from the past few weeks: Roasted Root Jumble with Halloumi and Polenta. Oh dear heart. I want some now."
2. White gazpacho
"I make a version with cucumbers, green grapes, almonds and yogurt (I made this on my online show, 'Aarti Paarti,' much to Heidi and Spencer Pratt's surprise.) You basically throw it all in a blender with some other special ingredients and you've got a delicious, cooling lunch ready to go."
3. Greek yogurt with sliced bananas, sliced almonds and a drizzle of honey
"This used to be my 'dessert' when I was a chubby little kid. I still think of it as a special treat, especially with that Greek yogurt. Even the 2 percent kind is so thick that I feel like I'm eating a vat of cream cheese. And who doesn't like eating a vat of cream cheese? No? Oh."
4. Quinoa pilaf
"I made this for the selection committee during the show, and impressed Melissa d'Arabian, last year’s winner. Quinoa is great for lazy day cooking because it's packed with complete proteins, but it cooks in only 20 minutes. And, you can flavor it any way you wish! I make mine with onions, lots of ground ginger, turmeric and coriander, and then whatever dried fruit and nuts I have around. A flourish of grapefruit zest and juice, and you're done. Easy-peasy dinner."
5. The Halloumi Cheese plate
"My husband's hands-down favorite meal requires no effort on my part at all! Halloumi cheese (a hard cheese from Cyprus that has such a high melting point that you can fry up slices in a pan so it gets a golden-brown, crispy crust. Salty, crispy, cheesy heaven), sliced avocado, sliced tomato and maybe a sausage or two, all dressed with some lemon juice. "
What's your go-to party menu? Dish it out in the comments below.
Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down.
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I must say Aarti sucks. Having been born and brought up in India for a long time, I know what Indian food is like. She is just a shame to the Indian food. Food being the major part of our lives, every woman in the household is a great chef. An average Indian cook would outperform her. She says she adds Indian twist to the classic American food. But all she does is add Garam Masala and Turmeric to every damn thing. And you know what, Indian food is not just about Garam Masala, it's way way beyond that. Besides we don't use Garam Masala for our everyday cooking. But trust me, I have been in the US for a long time now, and I do do all these mix and match of Indian, Italian and American fusion all the time, no biggie.
On a side note, "Sanjay Thumma" is an authentic Indian chef who lives in the US and he makes cooking really easy. I am just wondering how talented people like him are not in the Food Network show..And, no I am not paid to write this..
Sorry, did not approve of your choice (Aarti) but decided to give her a chance and watch her show..did not care for her (giggles too much) or her style of cooking..will not take the time to watch her again. However I do enjoy your magazine and most of your shows. Is it possible to bring some of the "non-winners" back for a series of shows?
It was obvious that Aarti Sequeira was picked from the beginning. It will be interesting to see what she can add to the menu, but she must stop that awful laugh.
So funny how if a minority wins, it's PC. If a white dude wins, it's bc of pure talent.
It's a half hour show that airs once a week. Get over it and get a life beyond wetting yourselves over reality TV stars.
No one gives a flying fug if you love or hate indian food or if you think curry stinks. Your latent racism is apparent...what isn't is just how bloated and rancid you mouthbreathers who get so riled up about this look.
And to the lady who said she could have "related" more to Tom or whoever having a show – this is why your vagina is dried up and your husband is cheating on you with some Asian chick lol
I think it is funny, they cut her down the whole time the show was airing. I think they just needed someone to cook indian food. I am very dissapointed with the results. I will not watch the next season of the show. YOU CHEATED TOM OR HERB OUT OF THE TITLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shame on you Bobby Flay
Don't know what show you were watching,but all I ever seen was ALL the judges complimenting Aarti's food. The Iron chef competition show she blew everyone away! As with alot of the other shows. WTG Aarti !
I think what a lot of people are forgetting is that we only see a fraction of what actually happens. We don't get to see everything. We see what the producers want to show us. I knew that Tom didn't win because they did what was necessary to fool us and/or surprise us. I see it a lot on reality shows.
I do admit that I was a little disappointed, but Aarti really has much that the network doesn't have and it should be very interesting. She's very sweet and I gotta say - not an Indian food fan at all and yet every time she cooked I really wanted to try her food. I'm definately going to do that. I wish her the best!
"grown" and "So I'll click to [anything else..."
I've gron to freakin' hate Giada. I'm no communist and would not take any of her family's money away, but jeez do we need to see shows telling us only, "this Euro trash chick is so happy!" Her hooters aren't even what they used to be pre-puppy either. So to [anything else] until someone meaningful and self-made comes on.
Another loser for Food Network TV, just like Aaron McCargo....I'm so glad his show, Big Daddy's is relegated to a nonprime tv slot. I won't watch it nor will I watch Aarti Parti. TRASH.
@Augusta Wind: Look, Aarti won the show and now she's got her own show. Period. Bottom line: Her career has spiked and whatever you gotta say isn't gonna do a thing. She's gonna make her own brands and more money and more fame. So it's about time we learn a thing or two from the winners and stop cribbing over someone else's victory over hard work.
Hhmmmm...sounds slighty suspect to me. could it be a case of hidden racism???
aarti, you shouldnt have won, you are one-note and tom has soooooo much more than you. he is amazing, you could make a nice INDIAN meal, nothing else......... you have NO variety... sorry toots, tom should have won. not to put salt on the wounds, but there were two people that i SERIOUSLY DISLIKED throughout the season,you and herb. i liked herb SO much more than you, but TOM SHOULD HAVE WON!
Well, you voted but your vote did not count with the majority that likes Aarti. It looks like you voted against both finalists, that must say something about your judgement skills.
Aarti was consistent from the beginning. Too bad we can only watch the show and not taste the food ;) All her recipes were a hit. She was just natural in front of the camera compared to the rest who tried too hard to be some "star"
I knew she would win from the 1st episode. Tom was good but then he's like the popular guy who makes some jokes and is all over the place. I wanted Aarti to win from the beginning. Good job Aarti!
Worst next food network star show ever. Can't believe the stupid name Aarti Party, won't be watching, she's so annoying and phony. Where do they find these people, wouldn't pick any of them to win. Watch food network every day, but none of these guys no matter what kind of show, stick with the originals like Guy, Giada, Paula, Ina and Bobby.
I'm out of here, all in all, Aarti took the crown and that's something to celebrate for Food Network.
Why are we so critical of something or someone even before anything is seen or known. Tell you what, watch her show, try out one of her recipes and then think again. Your preconclusion could be bad for someone career, hopes and dreams. If you were judged like this, how would you handle it? Just think about it.
The Food Network totally dropped the ball on this winner. She won't have any viewers. I predict her show will be done by next year.
What other things that you predicted have come true?
@T.Bagher: The article clearly mentions her origin. Are you sure you can read AND understand english? If you couldn't read the above, try this – "Si habla ingles?"
Tom been signed to his own show, It was announced yesterday, I think.... premieres on Food Network in November, called "Outrageous Foods" or something like that.
Aarti gets 6 shows...if it's not renewed, she's done. That's the way the NFNS contract works. So Tom and Herb could wind up being better off.
All you haters out there, aren't you bored of watching the same american, italian, fast food type recipes again and again and again. The judges are the VPs and well-known chefs of the channel & have really made a name for themselves. Isn't it obvious they are better judges than you. Obviously you weren't heard because your judgements sucks.
Aarti is a great choice and I cannot wait to see her show and will bring verstality to food network.
Agree 100%. Nothing but olive oil, parmesan cheese and pancheta, over and over again. Giada...is so boring...yawn....just watch her she goes on about those three ingredients. There is nothing original anymore, very similar recipes on all the shows. Look forward to something interesting and different using spices other than salt and pepper.
let's see her double team with Claire Robinson on some of princess Giada's Italian tuna...probably at the princess' lovely Malibu home with her pretty boy hubby watching. Bowm chicky bowm bowm...
When are they going to create an Asian cooking show?
@I_Hustle: I could say the same thing about that slaughtered cow on your plate. Btw, that stink is the aroma of flavor – something that I-season-everything-with-salt-n-pepper folks aren't used to.
The only thing I know about Indian food is that it stinks. I can't even walk into an Indian restaurant. Just the thought makes me gag.
@I_Hustle: That's a good move. Indian restaurants are better off without grown-ups who throw up like a baby.
Do you even realize how meat stinks to a vegetarian? Awful...you haven't a clue. I can get into an elevator and people's BO oozes out the smell of meat. There is no question that the smell of spices can be strong, but before you point fingers realize that what you are cooking and consuming may not be appetizing to others.
It's great that Aarti won. The very fact that there are so many ignorant comments here about Indian cuisine (i.e. Indian cuisine = naan, tandoori, & curry. Nothing more.) are a sign that the American public is ready for a deeper study of Indian food. It's time you moved on from pizza & pasta (see? annoying when I generalize, isn't it?).
I agree PJ, but I admit she was my favorite from the start. Yes she missed the mark a couple times but it dims in comparrison to the others. I also agree with Henry, the shows used to be very insightful and a good source of information. While still a great channel, it lacks the impact that it once had.
Luchita,
Not sure why skin color would be of importance, unless you're into cannibalism. Indian cooking is more than adding salt and pepper. There are so many different flavors that comes from Indian spices, but it does take a little intelligence to know any of this...
Whatever happened to the dude that looked like Justin Timberlake?
Well she was consistent from the start. couple of misses in between but most of the time on the top of the constestnts. she deserve to win. It was between Aarti and Herb but herb only shined at the end and barely reached the top 5. Will definitely see the show.
Food TV has become irrelevant for the most part, I used to love the channel because it was instructional and entertaining, now it seems almost like an infomercial haven (unwrapped? really?). Unfortunately the best cooking show is on Bravo and not on Food TV. Alton Brown is the only one that somewhat reminds me of the the old guard like Julia Child and Pepin. I actually get better instructional videos from YouTube on demand than what FoodTV has to offer.
Aarti opened up another cuisine for FoodTV, she didnt win because she had the best personality, but because they didn't have a show for popular Indian cuisine. If she would have been cooking Italian food she would have lost. She is so cheezy ("Oh dear heart. I want some now.") please someone put a sock in it.
Wasn't Herb the drama queen? Tom, well, we already have wild and crazy Guy. Aarti out cooked all of them from the get go. She was my favorite from the very beginning. She earned that win.
She was the best from the start although some of her co-contestants hung around a little to long for my taste. I liked the final 3 but I support the winner as she seemed to be the most consistant.
Guy Fieri is not white trash, he's fun and I enjoy his shows.
Tom is white trash, we already have one with Guy Fieri
The truth is... It doesn't matter if you can cook. It's not who you know, it's who you bl-w.
So nobody agrees with me? Am I the only one that could cuddle up and spend days in her chesticles?
Althoug all were great, i wuld have prefered to watch Herb. With all the overweight problems the country faces, he brought lighter recepies from latin cusine and that would help so many spanish homes to lower their waist without sacrificing flavor and cultural cuisine traditions. Hope all runner ups get a program , tom is hilarious! and Herb so charming!
I too loved all three! I figured Aarti would win when I saw that her recipes were the most downloaded/rated of all the contestants. I think the viewing public is ready for a different point of view and ready for some Indian food. I've already made several of her recipes and they are good. I would also watch Tom and Herb!
thanks for frickin posting this before the show is over.. gosh.. way to ruin the ending.. a spoiler alert before opening the page would have been nice
Dude, the show aired Sunday night. Not a spoiler any more by Monday afternoon. By the way, the New Orleans Saints won the Superbowl in case you hadn't gotten around to watching that yet. The world isn't waiting for you to catch up on Tivo.
Did you hear Tiger Woods got caught cheating on his wife?
I loved all three, it was such a hard decision. When Herb was on it, he was on it. I loved Tom's familiarity but I'm afraid that he and Guy have very similar outlooks on cooking. And as much as I love Aarti I'm afraid she was being used to fill an ethnic quota. I do think she's bubbly and exciting but still it's hard to overlook other factors. I'd have this concern with any of the contestants that Guy is the only winner to really get recognition past winning and get out into mainstream. I hope Aarti can do the same.
http://akindafoodblog.wordpress.com/
It seemed to me the judges were favoring her the entire time, making me wonder just how "real" the whole show was. I won't be watching NFNS again. And Bobby Flay - please, can you find a more arrogant judge? If I hear him ask "what's your culinary viewpoint" one more time, I'm going to scream. What exactly is his viewpoint, other than making money?
@ VAnative – Bobby Flay's viewpoint? Apparently you haven't watched his shows or what he does on Iron Chef. His food is American Southwest – of course he also does other things (the Throwdown show, where he pretty much does anything that his competition does).
I figured Aarti for the winner from early on, but I see nothing wrong with it. She's good in front of the camera, and as has already been stated, she represents a type of food that's not seen on the Food Network much if at all. Many Americans might find they like Indian food if they really get to know it – problem is, many people don't know it. She seems like the kind to make it accessible.
Seems to me that they were leaning toward her from the beginning. Too bad for everyone else.
Sorry, gotta way again. I have to agree with D Smart, Alton is the way to go...less pretty, much more intelligent. Never liked Flay but respect him for his cooking (and NE) prowess. Unfortunately I also have to agree with Dr. Pepper (I'm a Pepper...), real cooking shows are lacking...
I liked Aarti and will watch her show. I liked all 3 and would watch any of them and I am glad that Tom will also get a show. Now if we can get Herb a show it will be perfecto.
Tom was great, but come on...how many Guy Fieri type frat boys do you guys want on the food network? They are seriously lacking some ethnic food on that channel and Aarti is the perfect combination of personality, talent and concept (not full on Indian cooking, but putting Indian twists on every day food) to do it. Plus she cooked great food from start to end, who else in the competition did that? She totally deserved it.
Exactly. Well said.
And that's why I knew she would win. There really isn't an Indian show on the Food Network so this would fill that void. As someone said earlier, Tom will have his own show. While I really liked him and thought he should have won, we already have Guy Fieri and Big Daddy coming through NFNS and Tom could be seen as something similar
What a dismal choice for the NFNS. She's so sweet she makes my teeth ache. What will she cook when she runs out of curry recipes? I can't wait to NOT watch her cook her "Mum's" food. Tom or Herb would have been a more fun and watchable winner.
you sound a little racist??
Dp you are an idiot. Just because someone may not like a person does not mean they are racist. So I repeat you are an idiot.
@Andagain: Oh, come on! You're not bored watching dishes made of bread and cheese show after show. What makes you think that you will with varieties of Indian flavor, which obviously you don't know the first thing about?
@Steve: It is RACIST to generalize someone based on their ethnic or cultural backround. Guess Ignorance is idiot.
Indeed, Tom won the competition. I can see the Food Network following the politically safe route. Tom was exuberant and entertaining. Aarti will go the same route as Melissa, rarely if ever seen. The judges missed the boat. I will skip the next Food Network Star as well. The show needs a new panel ! Foodnetwork could do with a little less Flay. Alton would be a good choice to chair the show.
Thanks...do you really think anyone cares you won't watch or will "miss" you. LOL it's fine to have an opinion I didn't care who won, but when folks go around saying I won't watch over something that does not affect their lives it really just shows you are silly and immature
I disagree, Aarti's show will be different and if you love to cook you'd watch her show to learn something new. If you are watching for entertainment-only, stick to Iron chef and chopped. Probably you are not the audience Food network is targeting this for.
Food Network isn't really about cooking anymore except for some of their weekend shows, which is where Aarti is ending up (Sun/12p) and where most of the previous "winners" have ended up, except for Guy and that runner-up that is doing the candy show now. Food Network is more about shows revolving around food, like the endless contests, reality shows, or celebrity chef celebrations, but are not really instructional anymore. For that, you need to watch The Cooking Channel....and even that's iffy (cooking and shop class....really?). Catch PBS and local channel reruns of classic and modern cooking shows.
So I'm confused...you're upset because the "Food" Network now revolves around "food?" What should it revolve around? Carpentry? Shoe-making? Marine biology? Astro physics? You want cooking? Well, I think that's why they started the "Cooking" Channel. (Just, please, don't start complaining that TCC revolves around "cooking" instead of something else, 'kay?)
Good Job Aarti! Show America India food is something beyond Tikka masala, Tandoori chicken and Naan.
I agree with Jose and his comments. Tom won this competition hands down, with Herb coming in second even with his nerves on camera. Tom and Herb exhibited superior knowledge and cooking skills compared to Aarti. They both had star quality injected genuine emotions and humor. I won't watch Aarti show and probably won't be watching the next food network star in the future. If the intent of the food network is to entertain, then they totally missed the boat!
YAY thank you LORD you will not be watching, now if we can get you to stop commenting, she won, you have NO SAY SO, get over it, for whatever reason they picked her they did, grow up, saying "I won't watch again" is like a 10 year old, so go to bed at 9 like little kids do and you won't have to worry about watching.
I thought it was about food then entertainment. It is not the entertainment network is it? That being said I probably won't watch Aarti's show. I am not crazy about Indian food, but everyone has there own tastes. I would have liked to see what Herb could have done but I am not a judge.
No, it's about entertainment, then food. If you want food, you have to go to their new network, The Cooking Channel, where you can still watch Julia Child and the Two Fat Ladies and the Gallopping Gourmet.
I really liked all three finalists each had something unique abot them . Aarti definately brings great diversity to the food network with being a woman and great chef. Herb also has diversity in his background but maybe not exotic enough for the network right now, and what can you say about Tom other than he is a fantastic guy with more creativity seen in the last few segments I definately liked his personality it just showed up later in the game than with Aarti. I think all of them would be great assets to the network. I could see how the decision was tough.
Tom was robbed. Great, another winner we all won't ever see again. Has anyone, except guy, ever won and stayed around?
I loved all three of the finalists, so I hated to see any of them not win! Aarti's presentations and foods seemed to be judged the best out of the three, and I love Indian food, so I'm thrilled to know I'll have someone fun to watch who knows her cuisine! Yay Aarti!
I think, she cooked the best food all the time, and I hope this is what the competition was all about. And no dobt she was very good presenter, mey she is not WHITE that could be the -ve point, and most of the Indian food spices smell bad....no party with Aarti
I LOVE the smell of curry. I cook chicken curry all the time, much to the pleasure of my husband.
@Luchita: I love Indian food. I've never seen or known anyone who doesn't like Indian food. But then again, not everyone will like everything so I'm sure there are exceptions like yourself. Opening up to other flavors, just like anything else, needs some exposure to the real world and a certain level of sophistication. Unfortunately, not all of us are blessed with such opportunities. I hope you get one sometime.
@Luchita: And btw, you're not invited to the party!
She was good but Tom is the one I want to hang with: drink, laugh, and cook. Hate to say it but Food Network is now officially "politically correct" with thier pick instead of picking the one who could entertain. I'm Hispanic and would have loved to see Herb win but Tom really won the competition!
Twenty bucks says Tom ends up with a show anyway - Food Network's been known to do that before, for the runners-up that were really entertaining (like Tom very much was).
The top three all get shows anyway. If his is more popular, he'll stay on.
No way...the guy I want to party with is Anthony Bourdain. Definitely looks like he knows how. And I want to see Samantah Brown nekkid...
I also loved all 3 – but Tom was the choice that I and my husband thought should have won. We will miss him. Hope he gets a chance to do something else for the Foood Network. We think that we sould have related to his show better...
Well, Tom fans - seems you all are in luck. From the official press release, "In additional news about 'The Next Food Network Star,' Food Network is excited to announce that runner-up Tom Pizzica will host the new primetime series 'Outrageous Food,' premiering November 2010. Production begins today for this traveling food show featuring out-of-this-world eats."
At least its not traditional American FAT food. Its good, honest healthy fare.
Tom "big-cheffed" a chicken. Big deal. Although I like his personality, I didn't think the Food Network needed another star that could show us how to roast a chicken. The show that he ended up with, where he travels around and samples other people's food, could be better b/c he gets to share his personality, as opposed to his boring recipes.
Thanks for the useless spoiler alert. The spoiler is in the title, people!
Exactly.. and the huge picture
The Food Network spoiled the results about three episodes into the season when they momentarily listed Aarti on their online list of on-air chefs and Aarti Party as one of their shows. I've known for weeks.
I would like to see Langdon cook, forager and author of Fat of the Land, covered on 5@5.
I am not big on Indian chicks but I could definately get lost in her bewbs. I wanna party with Aarti know what I'm sayin'
LOL. Nice spelling of B00bz to get past the filter. Extra points for yew!
Indeed, we all know what you're saying. You're saying, "I'm a pig".
I thought Indians were not allowed pigs...or is that cows?