The Next Food Network Star

Alert: Listen to Susannah on Cape Cod's Cool 102 Fridays starting at 8am/7c.

Where are you living/working now?

I live in Plymouth, Mass. with my husband (Chip) and two boys, Evan and Aidan. I'm the food expert for www.momlogic.com, a very cool mothers' website from the producers of Ellen, Tyra and The Bonnie Hunt Show. I produce monthly cooking videos, write a column called Cookenomics and create original food/lifestyles content from the blue collar mom perspective.

When I'm not having fun with food, I work at a wellness center for a non-profit organization servicing adults with developmental disabilities. I'd have to say it's the most rewarding job in the world and keeps me humble and grounded. The center has a very cool and adaptive cooking program too!

What have you been up to since NFNS?

I’ve spent the past four years juggling food TV with two kids, two dogs and two jobs – sounds glamorous doesn't it? After NFNS I landed freelance work for Publix grocery stores as an on-air chef. One of the producers saw me on FN and thought I'd be a great fit for a cooking program Publix launched. I was with the program nearly three years – they taught me so much about food styling and creative recipe building for busy consumers. Chef Tim Donnelly taught me proper knife skills for which I am eternally grateful! From there, I landed a job as the food expert for momlogic.com which has been such a refreshing experience. Warner Bros. is an amazing company – they let me be myself and have fun – and a big shout out to Lindsey Patino for getting me in to see a taping of Ellen and The Tonight Show when Ellen was the guest. That was a real thrill for me because I have been an Ellen fan since her early stand up days. I love and appreciate her show – it is positive, funny and so entertaining. Portia was there (she is even more beautiful in person) and their wedding singer Joshua Radin was the musical guest. His CD Simple Times is a must buy! Most recently I launched Susannah Locketti Multimedia. My brand is all about bringing resourcefulness, optimism, humor and entertainment to everyday kitchens. People have a lot on their plates right now with the economy, their kids and their families – not to mention finding the time to cook. I show people how to balance it all successfully without taking yourself too seriously. I'm in production now on our first food series – stay tuned!

What did you enjoy most (and least) about being on NFNS?

The best part for me was the mini-mommie vacation to New York – for once I was able to sit on a clean toilet seat (I have all boys), cook in a clean kitchen (even though I made a disaster out of my work areas) and eat really fattening food whipped up by Paula Deen (she stuffed massive burgers with a mixture of gorgonzola and butter)! Kidding aside, I'm an adventurous person and the unknown of what the pilot season held was my favorite part. It was a first for FN too so there was this certain magic about making it. Bruce Seidel was always the life of the party – a very gracious host. Bob, Susie and Gordon were brutally honest which I loved. I tried kettle corn for the first time in the Green Room (endless supply was given which I devoured) and never ate so many Mike & Ike's in my life – still working it off. Loved doing the morning show appearance with Harry Smith. Loved the whole media night concept where we had a chance to meet and eat with the press – made me realize a live audience requires constant interaction, story telling and multi-tasking. Lara Spencer was there interviewing for the show Insider – she was a real hot ticket!

Do you still keep in touch with other finalists?

Thanks to Facebook, we stay connected. Just talked to Hans the other day about his new cookbook. I received a copy in the mail and it is exquisite. I learned Harmony is getting married soon. She will make the most beautiful bride! I still get the McDonagh Family holiday card each year. I try to connect with Michael whenever I'm in California. We had a lot of fun together during those few weeks yet have maintained lasting connections.

Any behind-the-scene happenings from NFNS you can tell us about?

I asked Mario Batali for a kiss on set. Yup, walked right up to him during a challenge and said "Kiss the cook." Paula Deen gives the best bear hugs and Bobby Flay is so totally into food – gotta admire passion like that. CBS's Harry Smith smells really good and here's some fun trivia – I learned while shooting that my NFNS Application/Video was the first one to arrive for the whole contest! I learned about the contest the first day it was posted on your website, made my audition video on an old Panasonic VHS camcorder (the VHS tape was 50 cents from a yard sale) and had it out the door less than a week later. BUT it made for a l-o-n-g wait to see if I was actually selected!

How did being on NFNS affect your culinary career?

I am so grateful to have a job in this economy thanks to NFNS! The whole experience introduced me to some really talented people in this business. Landed superwoman as my agent – Babette Perry at IMG is so down to earth, smart and feisty – she took a chance on me and I am so thankful for that. My manager David Tenzer is a rare gem who patiently teaches me about business while reminding me often to always have fun on camera and in life! Jill Mulllikan-Bates at momlogic.com is a ray of sunshine who allowed me to turn her office into a surprise cooking show even if the smoke from the olive oil risked an evacuation of the Warner building – loved her immediately for that! Guy Nickerson at Spectrum Productions is a selfless human being with genuine hospitality that is beyond compare. Big thanks to Fran Brescia and Maureen Lippe who were gracious enough to refer me – thank you! I also couldn't make food TV without my two favorite camera guys Chuck Prefontaine and Eugene DiFrancesco – these two characters turn work into play!

What advice would you offer the next round of finalists?

Don't take yourself too seriously and make it fun. It really boils down to being uniquely yourself and building an authentic bond with the camera and your viewers. You have to be a great story teller and comfortable with yourself. Don't hold back what you bring to the table as a unique personality.

When you look back, would you have done anything differently?

Wouldn't change a thing – everything in life happens for a reason and I learned so much in the process. Thank God we didn't have to live together is all I have to say. I LOVE to cook but I hate to clean up the mess! My college roommates used to leave "Clean it or Beat it" notes on my bedroom door.

Are you recognized from your time on NFNS?

It's funny because I'll go out and it will start with "You look really familiar." It's unbelievable how many people watch the series and remember us!

What was the greatest lesson you learned from your time on NFNS?

Be yourself no matter how crazy, quirky or nonsensical you may be. This is what makes each FN chef so uniquely different and you have to be ready and able to bring that through. This is why Guy Fieri is such a hit with people – he's very good at it. Along with that comes showing viewers how to prepare food in an entertaining way that also educates. This is why Alton Brown is so popular – he makes me look forward to dissecting the properties of tapioca. Last lesson – win or lose, you can't place all your dreams in one opportunity. If you really want to be a food star, you gotta work at it everyday and it takes time – patience is the main ingredient in this industry.

Recent Susannah adventure?

I was at LAX last year and was approached by a brother and sister dressed in fatigues asking to use my laptop. I'm super laid back so I said sure. Next thing ya know I'm signing a release and there are cameras on me. Then the kids ask me for money to charge an internet pass for "research" – so I oblige. Turns out – they were one hour into taping this season of the Amazing Race and were en route to Brazil to find a sandwich shop for their first challenge. Not only did Nick and Starr Spangler win the challenge, they won the entire show and the $1 million! We crossed paths in NYC for a mini-reunion and it was neat to be a small, random part of their Amazing Race experience.