Cristie Schoen is a finalist on Season 8 of Food Network Star.

Cristie Schoen, 35 (New Orleans), grew up in a military family in Biloxi, Miss., cooking Cajun cuisine with her dad and family from New Orleans. Cristie attended Louisiana State University and studied abroad in Germany, where she discovered an appreciation for European food and cooking techniques. She later moved to Los Angeles and unexpectedly found success in the movie catering business, where she created and prepared food for a variety of different tastes. Cristie aspires to own an aquaponics farm and a farm-to-table cafe that serves locally grown, nutritious and delicious cuisine.