Food Network chefs celebrate all types of occasions on their shows, and Sunday night‘s episode of “Food Network Star” was no exception.
Each of the final four contestants were asked to draw a random calendar date from a bag, then prepare a dish and presentation based on what that date’s obscure holiday was.
Who knew that Jan. 17 is “Hot Buttered Rum Day?” Viewers do now. That’s the date former Chattanoogan Jernard Wells drew. He cooked Caribbean jerk chicken with a hot buttered rum sauce. After preparing their dishes, each chef then had to give a one-minute, live-streaming presentation on foodnetwork.com, answering questions from viewers while demonstrating how to make their dish.
But just before finalists went live, each was surprised with a visit by a family member. Wells’ wife, Keena, joined him for a fun presentation that engaged both judges and online viewers. Judges praised Wells on his skill handling viewer questions, including tips and ingredient substitutions, and on the flavor of his dish.
“This is delicious,” guest judge Tia Mowery told him. Judge Bobby Flay declared the dish was “spot on.”