Eliminated Week 5
Paul, 32 (Chicago, Ill.), graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando and later worked as a cooking instructor, sauté cook and executive sous chef in Chicago and Milwaukee. A former improv comedian, Paul also likes to improvise on recipes, using them only as guidelines for the dishes he prepares.
Food specialty: American, Italian and French, putting a gourmet spin on easy recipes
Favorite restaurant: Bistro 110
Three foods you can't live without (other than bread or water): Garlic, butter and bacon
Food you won't go near: Cottage cheese; not much else
Weirdest thing you've ever eaten: Alligator sausage, and even to this day one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth.
Interests and hobbies: Golfing, cooking (of course) and drumming
Favorite Food Network chef: Tyler Florence
Favorite shows (don't have to be on Food Network): Iron Chef and Family Guy
Favorite food destination: I would love to go to France and eat my way through it.
Culinary inspirations: Everything! Books, people, eating and trying out new ingredients — whatever I can get my hands on.
Three people, alive or dead, whom you'd like to invite to a dinner party, and what culinary delights would you prepare for your guests: Robin Williams, Jim Carrey and my dad. I would probably prepare Salad Nicoise, Filet with a Cherry Red Wine Sauce and Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Favorite books: Kitchen Confidential (Anthony Bourdain) and Lamb, the Gospel According to Jesus's Childhood Friend Biff (Christopher Moore)
Favorite movies: Good Will Hunting, Caddyshack and The Truman Show
Why do you think you should be the Season 6 Food Network Star: I've always loved teaching people to cook. It's in my blood to want to make others succeed, especially when it's something they are struggling to do — especially cooking. I think I definitely have the right personality to be able to draw in any viewer regardless of sex or age.
Join The Conversation.