Food Network Won't Let Teddy Win
Chef Teddy Folkman watches himself in an episode of The Next Food Network Star.
But unlike shows such as Top Chef, screen presence is just as, if not more important, than what comes out of the kitchen. From week to week judges noted, and Folkman often agreed, that he was awkward and unnatural in front of the rolling cameras. The moules frites wiz can be a gregarious presence as he walks around Granville Moore's, but he struggled in the show at the art of being himself. Presenting his DLT to the judges and a roomful of armed service men and women he was cooking for, Folkman stammered and resorted to reading notes off of his hand. While two competitors served what were effectively bowls of glue and mush and a third was on the chopping block for serving raw meat (when it wasn't supposed to be) in two previous challenges, it was the judgment that Folkman couldn’t be endearing enough on TV that sent him home early.
Folkman found his first slice of fame after beating Bobby Flay in a mussels smackdown at Granville Moore’s on H Street. Flay, who is the host of Next Food Network Star, said that watching Folkman on camera made him nervous
It was a season of ups and downs for Folkman. He won points in week one for assisting a fellow competitor and then refusing to “throw her under the bus” during questioning when asked if she was capable in the kitchen on her own. But he went on to have his integrity questioned during an argument about who deserved credit for a winning entrée. He made the meatloaf, his partner made the orange glaze. Orange glaze? Whatever! Now the only question is, will we see duck, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches on the menu at Capitol Lounge to go along with those $1 [off] drinks? They’d sure beat an order of poppers.