Hans in NY

luna7 · 02-09-2005, 07:52 PM

Hey gang,

Food Network FINALLY gave me permission to say it's official! I'm heading to NY as a finalist in the competition. Beyond that, I can't say ANYTHING!!! I just wanted to drop in and thank all of you who helped rally those votes for me. I know many of you cross posted on several boards, so please share my appreciation with everyone. The whole online voting thing was stressful, but it was a truly humbling experience.

More from me soon...thank you.

Hans

Junkzoo · 02-09-2005, 08:05 PM

Just remember us "Lil" people when you make it big time!

FishDaddy · 02-09-2005, 09:11 PM

WOW! Congratulations, Hans!!

Best of luck in The Big Apple!

Dick

cath · 02-09-2005, 09:54 PM

Far out, Hans! We're so proud of you!

Doug1 · 02-09-2005, 10:50 PM

Way to go Hans!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big Dave · 02-10-2005, 01:43 AM

Sweet Hans! Can't wait to see where it goes from here! Goodluck bud!

-Big Dave

Rick O · 02-10-2005, 05:34 AM

Congratulations Hans.

icebear · 02-10-2005, 06:58 AM

seems i missed all the voting, but as a food network watcher, i hope to see more when you get air time

SeaDog · 02-10-2005, 10:57 AM

Congrats Hans, Go get em in the Big Apple mate

crab0000 · 02-10-2005, 11:15 AM

How are you going to adapt to the slower pace in NY? You know Jasper blows it away

. Congrats!
Steve

Mrs Smith · 02-10-2005, 07:02 PM

YAY!YAY!YAY!YAY!YAY!

Congrats! (We knew it all along, but it's great that you have the final word!)

luna7 · 02-10-2005, 08:27 PM

Thanks guys...it will be interesting to say the least! Check out this press release from Food Network.

WHO IS ‘THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR’

Network Announces Eight Finalists; Production Begins On New Series

FoodNetwork.com Posts Record 2.4 Million Votes for Last Finalist

NEW YORK, February 9, 2005 – After receiving more than 10,000 tapes, Food Network has narrowed the field to eight finalists and will begin production next week on its new reality series, The Next Food Network Star. This past Fall, the network conducted a nation-wide search to find cooks of all kinds, who wanted to compete for the chance to win their own Food Network series. Seven of the finalists were chosen by an internal Food Network panel, while the final contestant was chosen from a field of 10 semi-finalists via an online vote at FoodNetwork.com. Over 2.4 million votes were cast over a three-week span, as users selected Hans Rueffert from Talking Rock, Georgia, as the eighth finalist.

“We were amazed by the quality of the tapes that we received,” said Kathleen Finch, Senior Vice President, Primetime Programming. “Choosing the finalists was a difficult process, but we are excited about the people we have selected and look forward to seeing them compete.”

The eight finalists will journey to Food Network’s New York City headquarters next week to begin a series of tests and challenges that will ultimately determine which one of them can “take the heat” and become ‘The Next Food Network Star.” The selection panel will evaluate the finalists’ personality, their performance and their food knowledge. The eight finalists include:

Deborah Fewell, 32 (Pasadena, CA) Private chef for celebrity clients

Brook Harlan, 24 (Columbia, MO) High school culinary arts teacher and wrestling coach

Susannah Locketti, 32 (Plymouth, MA) Graphic designer and host of local access cooking show

Harmony Marceau, 29 (New York, NY) Private chef and model

Hans Rueffert, 32 (Talking Rock, GA) Local access cable news host and FoodNetwork.com finalist

Dan Smith & Steve McDonagh, 42 & 40 (Chicago, IL) Professional caterering team

Michael Thomas, 36 (Venice, CA) Personal chef and novelist

Eric Warren, 52 (Los Angeles, CA) Caretaker for developmentally disabled clients

Television veteran, Marc Summers (Unwrapped), will lend his television expertise to the hunt for The Next Food Network Star as host for the series of specials. Produced by CBS News Productions, the series is slated to premiere in June 2005. The ultimate winner will be determined by FoodNetwork.com visitors and receives a six-episode show that will premiere in September 2005, as part of the network’s weekend In the Kitchen programming block, which airs from 9am-2pm ET/PT every Saturday and Sunday. The finalists will be tested in a series of challenges and be evaluated by a panel of judges who will continue to narrow the field down to two contestants, who will each film a pilot segment. FoodNetwork.com will provide a mini-site where viewers can familiarize themselves with the candidates. The viewers will then vote and determine the overall winner, who will be revealed live on the series’ finale

Junkzoo · 02-10-2005, 08:33 PM

Wow! Congrats on making it thru some incredible numbers of entry tapes!
Ummmm,,,, gotta admit tho,,,a Private chef AND model in the running? Hmmmm,,,,,,those two attributes make a guy that likes to eat think again on his voting later,,,,LOL,,,,,J/K,,,
A TRT'er will still get my vote,,,even tho i /we have still never gotten a "to-go " plate in the mailbox yet,,,,LOL
Again, Good luck, I'm sure we all here will be pullin for you,,,

Alice · 02-10-2005, 09:37 PM

Hans,
That's so cool!! Have a blast in NY.....and you KNOW we'll want pics!

Doug1 · 02-10-2005, 10:23 PM

Hans, got faith in you buddy, but a CHEF and MODEL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we need care packages before the next round of voting

Good Luck