Try as I might I just can't seem to bring myself to watch an entire episode of The Gourmet Next Door. I realize that Amy Finley was the winner of the Next Food Network Star contest but she just seems to be so out of her league when compared to previous winners. While her recipes may be simple and tasty she has no real presence on the screen. She practically blends into the background.
I like it when the cook or chef shows so much excitement about what their cooking that you want to go out, buy the ingredients and cook the recipes that very same day. Those cooking shows (Guy's Big Bite, Good Eats and Paulas Home Cooking to namea few) whose stars have some charisma are the one's I watch the most and who instill in me the desire to step outside my comfort zone and try new foods and recipes. The only thing the Gourmet Next Door inspires me to do is to change the channel.
Hopefully the Food Network will add some more great shows to their line-up next season and drop those that seem to have never really made it out of the gate. My vote would be to drop The Gourmet Next Door.
