Andrew SchumacherWhere are you living/working now?
I live and work in New York City. I co-own my own catering company called Nappants.
What have you been up to since NFNS?
I have done a lot of eating and cooking and enjoy living in the Big Apple.
What did you enjoy most about being on NFNS?
Meeting a lot of cool people and getting the experience of being on a reality show and in front of cameras.
Do you still keep in touch with other contestants?
Yes, even though they all live across the country in CA. I still talk to them frequently.
Any behind-the-scene happenings from NFNS you can tell us about?
Many hours in the green room turns you into quite a goofball. One time Guy and I stole the producers walkie talkies and were telling jokes over the airwaves!
How did being on NFNS affect your culinary career?
It didn't.
What advice would you offer the next round of contestants?
Focus on your personality skills and don't get caught up in the rules of each challenge. At the end of the day they are looking at your ability to relate to the camera, not if you finish your dish on time.
When you look back, would you have done anything differently?
I would have tried to be more over the top. You don't realize that you have to be really extra energetic. Whatever you do on camera comes off a lot more flat than you think it will!
Are you recognized from your time on NFNS?
I was recognized by people on the street for a few months here and there and I had a good amount of press and recognition in my hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your time on NFNS?
It doesn't matter how well you can cook. You need to be able to have personality and entertain in terms of big TV. Forget your cooking skills and you may have a chance of winning.
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