BYU grad's seafood dish featured on Red Lobster's menu
Kelsey Nixon of North Ogden is a finalist on "The Next Food Network Star," and in Sunday night's episode, contestants were challenged to make a fresh seafood dish using an unlikely ingredient.
Nixon's unlikely ingredient was white chocolate, and she used it a buttery sauce to make White Chocolate Macadamia Crusted Tilapia. Red Lobster's executive chef Michael LeDuke, serving as a guest judge, helped select Nixon's dish as the winner. It went on the restaurant chain's "Fresh Fish Today" menu Monday.
It was a good night for the Brigham Young University graduate, who also nailed a one-minute "technique" video showing viewers how to french the bones on a rack of lamb. Guest judge Tyler Florence, host of the Food Network's "Tyler's Ultimate," complimented Nixon for the energy she displayed. This was a contrast with past episodes, where her bubbly personality was criticized by other Food Network judges as "overcaffeinated cheerleader."
"When Tyler Florence says, 'I like your energy,' I was thinking I'm glad that someone with the Food Network does," Nixon's responded.
But after winning the two challenges Sunday night, Nixon said, "All of a sudden I'm a contender, and I'm back in it."
While majoring in broadcast journalism at BYU, Nixon created a cooking show, "Kelsey's Kitchen," that aired on iProvo cable TV. She also has a culinary arts degree. In a previous interview, Nixon said she had been sending in demo videos to the Food Network for several years before being chosen as a finalist.
Nixon is one of five remaining finalists, with the winner getting a six-episode Food Network show. Challenges leading up to the June 27 finale include cooking with an 8-year-old Girl Scout, creating a signature dish while being peppered with questions from Paula Deen, and creating a lavish Las Vegas buffet.
E-mail: vphillips@desnews.com
Recent comments
Where can I find this? Red Lobster, you say? I'm there!
andrew | June 23, 2008 at 8:12 p.m.
this will put Utah and BYU on the map, for sure!
wow | June 23, 2008 at 2:54 p.m.
It's an excellent dish. I've paired white chocolate with...
Stacey W | June 23, 2008 at 2:52 p.m.
