On Set With Former “Next Food Network Star” Adam Gertler for His New Show!

Adam Gertler floored Food Network audiences with his BBQ knowledge on Next Food Network Star season six. Switching from his Cooking Channel web show, Food Bites, the former Kid in a Candy Store host will be back on television at a new home: with his upcoming Discovery Channel food competition show! Adam was nice enough to let me tag along and make him do ridiculous things, like singing the Jeffersons theme song and pop out some seriously “Tyra smizing” Derek Zoolander looks. Adam has a firm grasp on his very own “Blue Steel,” whereas I am the Hansel throwing out a “Magnum” and my very own “look” inspired by Mr. Gertler’s sausage and BBQ venture, “Barbie-Q Pork.”

Of course, there’s more to Adam than meets the eye – after all, Derek taught us in the film “there is more to life than being really, really good looking,” and more so when one is as talented a meat master chef as Mr. Adam. From the sound of it, his upcoming TV program seems fantastic. Several contestants fought off, Bobby Flay style, with the best of local flavor. The competition, filmed at Frank’s in downtown Austin, Texas, was held outside with food trucks awaitin’ and inside, with each contestant’s family watching from above the quickly-made kitchen set planked in the middle of a seating area. I met one gentleman’s parents, a couple photographing him all the while as they ate dinner. The atmosphere was very exciting as to be expected. This time around, Adam’s staff consists of several handfuls of people traveling everywhere he visits. This is bound to be a big show for him and luckily for the meat lover, a break from his sweet tooth adventures. Next up, Adam is going to be touring the South: Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville and New Orleans before heading back home for his consistently superb pop-up restaurant events in LA. Despite what he may tell you about his lack of true formal training, Adam is a super Food Network Star chef, not a run of the mill “cook!”

Before the show, Adam graciously dined with my family and yours truly at the downtown BBQ joint, Lambert’s. For one night,

He coaxed me off my healthier diet for some delicious side orders as he wolfed down brisket and shared my sides. Among some things I learned from him, when you do eat cheese, goat cheese is the most digestible, BBQ sauce is best served on the side, dry rubs are the best possible and when in doubt, ask for the best local beer selection.

Oh, right. My costume? Hopefully, my college pride cowboy hat and collegiate wears lent some pizazz to the cinematography.  😉