Martie Duncan
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In her Food Network journal, Martie took challenge notes and kept track of feedback from Alton. In bold, she wrote down his most important tip for presenting: tell "WHAT I DID, HOW I DID IT." From the beginning, Martie's biggest struggle was timing she'd be the first to tell you that she had a tendency to ramble.
Restaurant: Impossible
On the first day of the competition, Martie shopped for Team Alton's restaurant, Do South, at Restaurant Depot. She ended up making deviled eggs that the judges found a bit bland, but she remained safe thanks to Cristie's misguided soup.
Photo By: Todd Plitt ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P.
Katz's Deli Inspiration
Martie was psyched to create a dish inspired by Katz's Deli when Team Alton was assigned the Lower East Side for the second episode's food tour challenge. She had visited the famous deli 20 years prior and never forgot that pastrami sandwich: "I want to marry that pastrami!"
Photo By: Todd Plitt ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P.
Don't Get Grilled
In Episode 3, Martie ended up in the Producers' Challenge against Nikki and Josh. They were asked to create a dish and a presentation that answers one of the most common questions on FoodNetwork.com during grilling season: If you don't have an outdoor grill, what can you make? Alton showed Martie a technique of using two hot grill pans for her tuna dish.
Photo By: Edward Chen/Creel Films ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P.
Talking Points
Early on in the competition, Martie constantly made self-deprecating remarks about her age. Alton knew he had to squash that: "Repeat after me: I will not evoke my age again in a presentation," he advised Martie. She didn't, and she came across as genuine and funny in her camera presentation, even when her bracelet got caught in the grill pan.
Photo By: Edward Chen/Creel Films ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P.
Big Win for Team Alton
The judges agreed that this challenge was tailor-made for the quirky, creative members of Team Alton. "Martie really made me want to taste her food," said Bob Tuschman. "She's the most natural, comfortable, relaxed personality we have in the competition."
Photo By: Edward Chen/Creel Films ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P.
Made It to Miami
Martie's streak of successes continued and took her all the way to Miami for the second leg of the competition. In the first South Beach challenge, she got to realize one of her lifelong dreams: "This is a huge deal. I'm from Birmingham, Alabama, and I'm cooking for Paula Deen!" she said. "She is a huge influence on me." The two Southern gals hit it off right away.
Photo By: Edward Chen/Creel Films ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P.
30 Seconds
In the penultimate episode, the final six were given just three takes to shoot 30-second promos for the shows they hope to have on Food Network. Despite her timing issues in the past, Martie nailed it and won raves from an all-star judging panel: "She was fun and told us exactly what her promise was," said Anne Burrell. "I loved her, that's all I can say."
Photo By: Edward Chen/Creel Films ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P.
Emotional Roller Coaster
Alton couldn't bear the thought of saying goodbye to Martie or Justin after the promos and in the end, he didn't have to. In a shocking twist, Bob and Susie asked both remaining members of Team Alton to shoot pilots.
Photo By: Edward Chen/Creel Films ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P.