Culture 2 Go
Video: Food Network Star’s Emily Ellyn at Maxine’s on Shine
As an arts and culture critic, I know I might be expected to have my television dial welded to PBS, but my not-so-guilty secret is that my DVR is filled with Food Network. Ranking right up there on my regular recording schedule with Chopped and Iron Chef is Food Network Star (formerly Next Food Network Star), where previously-unknown chefs compete for instant employment headlining their own series.
This season, Orlando resident Emily Ellyn was a standout chef among the hopeful chefs until her untimely elimination on Sunday night. To celebrate her final appearance, Ellyn attended a standing-room-only viewing party at Thornton Park restaurant Maxine’s on Shine, dressed in her trademark retro-rad style.
Following the broadcast of her elimination episode, Emily addressed the adoring assembled (see the video below) and posted for photos with fans. Despite being unable to actually hear the audio over the chattering crowd (thank FCC for closed captioning) it was an ideal way to enjoy the episode, especially because of the excellent lobster ravioli I ate during it.
Despite the loss, I predict we’ll see Ellyn again soon; history shows that the winner of this competitor is often eclipsed in the long run by those who were axed earlier. And I’ll be eating Maxine’s again on one of their frequent theme nights, like Tuesday’s Parlor Nights with rotating solo musicians from the Orlando Philharmonic.
