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Orlando's Jen Isham could be The Next Food Network Star
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Jen Isham, Orlando, Fla., prepares for her first Food Network challenge. Photo: Courtesy Food Network.
The Next Food Network Star returns Sunday, June 7th at 9 p.m., with an all-star and celebrity chef-studded fifth season on Food Network.
Orlando native and French Culinary Institute graduate, Jen Isham, is one of 10 contestants competing for the ultimate dream job: a 6-episode Food Network show based on their culinary point of view.
Jen’s first challenge? Catering Food Network’s “Sweet 16” party with network talent and media there to judge. Yeah, no pressure there.
And that’s just the beginning. Jen’s culinary chops will be put to the test in what Food Network promises to be the biggest and toughest set of food fights the show has ever seen, pitting contestants against each other to impress the “Barefoot Contessa” herself in the Hamptons; prepare a comforting meal for returning soldiers on the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum; and dazzle a variety of media outlets including Access Hollywood, Good Housekeeping, Esquire and USA WEEKEND.
The show also flies to sunny Miami for the first time, where Jen and finalists must survive a beachside wood-grilling challenge for Red Lobster, and create a delicious dinner for a group of culinary elite at a screening of Columbia Pictures’ movie Julie & Julia (in theaters August 7).
I recently talked with Jen about the culinary journey that led her to audition, and what she’s got in her fridge when she’s not cooking for the cameras:
OCE: What got you jazzed about NFNS - what compelled you to audition?
JI: My brother saw the commercials to try out for the first season and told me I should try out. So season 1 I sent in a tape and got one call back -- and that was it. So every season since I have been saying that I will be on the show. Season 5 was the season for me, I guess! I flew to Philly on a whim and tried out at an open call.
OCE: What did you do differently in this audition that got you noticed?
JI: This year I figured if I could just get in front of the casting people I could really connect. I figured if I could just be face to face I could win a spot, and it worked! I know my food. I think I have pretty good camera presence and I love to entertain. I knew I had what it took to be on this show. For 5 years I have been saying it.
OCE: What's your culinary point of view?
JI: Housewife 2.0 is my culinary point of view. I guess it is more like a lifestyle than a point of view. It's how I live my life as a modern married lady. I work all day but still come home to make a great dinner for my husband. I cook what makes sense for my life -- nothing overly fancy but still great tasting food. Even though I have a culinary school degree, I do not consider myself a chef. I'm a modern home cook.
OCE: So, you've coined the phrase "housewife 2.0" – do you think it's something America will embrace?
JI: Housewife 2.0 is a modern jazzy wife. I'm not waiting hand and foot on my husband. Don’t get me wrong I love him, I love to cook for him but I have my own life too. I think even if you aren't married what I represent and how I live my life is the way a ton of 20-somethings and 30-somethings can identify with. I work hard but like to play hard too.
OCE: You worked for Disney as a line cook for a bit of time, but also as Cinderella. Do you think your Disney training helped prepare you for the spotlight?
JI: I think that working at Disney did prep me a little. Working at Disney you are always "on" so when the cameras would roll on The Next Food Network Star, I knew how to turn on the best Jen.
OCE: After attending culinary school, you switched over to the sales side of culinary. How easy/difficult was it to get back in the groove and cook on camera?
JI: The big adjustment wasn't going up there to shoot the show. The big problem was coming back to the hotel after we finished filming. I am bursting-at-the-seams over my experience and getting back out of the kitchen has been very hard. I truly love to cook and entertain, so being on the show was just natural. I know now that this is what I was meant to do. I was meant to be on this show and to get back to my world of food.
OCE: What's in your fridge right now?
JI: I have some left over steak from date night last night. Along with a ton of fresh veggies and fruit. I'm consuming a ton of raw veggie salads, seafood and grilled veggies. Our freezer is stocked with buy one get one free meats and fish filets and cold beer mugs!
OCE: What are you cooking for dinner tonight?
JI: Tonight I am making a beet gratin with blue cheese and panko breadcrumbs. And I’m gonna do grilled chicken tenderloins basted in garlic and fresh herbs growing on our deck.
OCE: What advice do you have for women out there who are interested in a career in the culinary industry -- whether just starting out, or switching careers?
JI: Go to culinary school! It is amazing how much you learn and discover. I had never used a shallot before school -- I can't live without them now. When I was in culinary school, I formed one of my closest friendships – [having] a fellow foodie to talk to about nothing but ingredients and great food is fantastic. Also, get some tough skin. Working in a kitchen is normally working with all men. Stay strong and have fun.
Does Jen Isham have what it takes to be The Next Food Network Star? Stay tuned. The Next Food Network Star airs on Food Network every Sunday at 9 p.m., with the season finale on August 2nd.
You can also cheer for Jen in person during the premiere party at The Clubhouse, Sand Lake Road, 7 -10 p.m.
Good Luck, Jen!
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