Rachael's Thoughts About Episode 9 and the One Thing Every Star Needs to Have

By: Sarah De Heer

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Rachael's Thoughts About Episode 9

Photo by: Eddy Chen ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Eddy Chen, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Rachael Ray hosted the final five, as well as Alton, Bobby and Giada, on her talk show during last week's episode, and tasked the finalists with helping to solve a common problem: dinnertime struggles. After several successes (and also several failures), Star Talk wanted to catch up with the host herself to find out her thoughts on the show.

Star Talk: Rachael, what are your final thoughts on how the final five performed in this episode?

Rachael Ray: I think overall they did really well. I think some of them were a little more comfortable than others, but you know, it's a really tough thing to try to master working in front of a camera and a live studio audience and having the family that you're cooking for literally at the counter. So it was sort of a triple threat. I thought once they each got into it, even those that weren't as comfortable found their rhythm eventually.

ST: In your opinion, what's the one thing that every Food Network Star needs to have?

RR: They have to remember that it's about storytelling — it's not always just about the food. It's about making the viewer excited to get up and cook and share that food and that experience with their families. So it's really about making that connection with them and really holding that promise. You know that every time they tune in they're going to be entertained and they want to share time with you. It can't just be about the food, because mostly everyone knows how to cook a piece of chicken.

Star Episode 9 Post-Show
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