The viewers have spoken. Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh were named the winners of the 'The Next Food Network Star' reality television show on Sunday night.
Smith, 42, and McDonagh, 40, will co-star in their own television show on Food Network beginning in September. The first of the six episodes will be aired Sunday, September 18 at 9:30 ET/PT. No title for the new show has been selected as of yet but work began immediately as the first production meeting was held Monday. The show will focus on providing tips and techniques for entertaining at home.
Deborah Fewell, a 32-year-old Pasadena, California, resident was named the first runner-up. She works as a personal chef to the stars.
The voting was done on line at www.foodnetwork.com and via text messaging. More than 50,000 votes were cast in the 30 minute voting period. At one point, the response was so great it briefly shut down the station's website.
Smith and McDonagh are the co-owners of a successful catering business in Chicago, 'The Hearty Boys Caterers' and the HB restaurant.
Emeril Lagasse was on hand to name Dan and Steve the winners. The best part for these two Chicago chefs is that this is just the beginning of their television experience and the best is yet to come.
