what happened to dom from food network star

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Chef Dom Tesoriero came back from a battle with on-camera panic attacks to ace his “Big Flavor, Little Italy” pilot under the tutelage of Rachael Ray.

“Ive been grinding away a long time,” he said on air, choking up. “This would be a big change.”

Chef Doms charming, knowledgeable tour of the iconic Johns restaurant in Manhattan definitely wowed the “Food Network Star” judges panel.

But it wasnt enough to win the 31-year-old Eltingville native his own show, as Food Network president Brooke Johnson declared chef Eddie Jacksons rock-solid “BBQ Blitz” the winner.

Still, the praise for S.I.s freshest culinary celebrity flowed freely: “When I think of Dom, I think genuine. I think of authenticity,” said Bobby Flay.

“Hes happy, hes shining — and in my opinion, a star,” said Giada De Laurentiis. “I am so proud of you. Real cooking. Real food. Real meatballs.”

Hey, at least “used car salesman” Jay D. Ducote didnt win. Sure, hes a viewer favorite, but his pilot, taped at the popular Sweet Chick joint on the the LES, failed in my eyes. This was not a chef offering expert tips for the chicken and waffles — it was a tour guide. Do we really need another “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives”?

Anyway, have your say: Do you think Food Network execs made the right choice? Sound off in the comments section below.

The self-effacing guy whose culinary training took him to Italy before casting execs spotted his food truck (aka Mac Truck) in Midtown Manhattan recently took the time to speak with us about his S.I. roots, his love of fresh pasta and the struggle to overcome his on-camera jitters.

I know you used to work with Framboise Catering. Did you by any chance work our holiday parties back in the day?

The Advance Christmas party? (Laughs) Yeah, I was absolutely back there. I did a lot of great work with those people.

Whats it feel like to hear Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis declare you the “best” chef in the competition, regardless of on-camera jitters?

Youre at the point where youve spent so many late nights cooking and studying cookbooks and essentially paying to work in Italy, you get to the point in your career where you start to wonder, Is this gonna pay off?”

Then all of a sudden, an opportunity like this comes out of the woodwork, and all those sacrifices I made earlier in my career clicked. It only takes one time to save a life, really.

Whats more nerve-wracking: Working top events around the world like the Beijing Olympics or cooking on TV?

You know, at the Games — by that point I had the experience. I had worked so many huge events. Plus, I was surrounded by an entire team of professionals working together.

But being in front of America on “Food Network Star” is a different animal. Obviously, it was about how I could perform on camera. It was daunting — (chuckles) as Im sure youve seen.

To be in this position is unreal — its surreal. That was my big fear in front of the camera: Millions of people are watching. So many people are judging us. Its like being in high school all over again; a popularity contest.

The first spotlight challenge: It was only 30 seconds. Id never met the other finalists. It was my first time seeing Bobby and Giada.

Just being in that moment: Heres a real spotlight on the floor and they want me to talk. I have no clue what to say — I forget everything Ive done in the last 10 years.

Im standing next to a professional football player, a radio host and Arnold, an accomplished entertainer.

And here I am: Just a regular guy — whos cringing. This is the first time America is meeting me. What are they gonna think?

Agnolotti bolognese is the dish I was always hoping to make. But based on the confines of the challenges, I never had the opportunity. My chances were running out since I was facing elimination so many times.

To go out there in the finale, episode 10, and have that dish and presentation — it was a very personal story of how I learned to make it, so it was gratifying on so many levels.

Several people on social media told me you put your passion for food to good use in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Obviously, Staten Island got crushed. To be in a position to help out the community — even on a small scale — by handing out food was important to me.

At the time it was a challenge to even get gas; we were waiting on line for hours. I had not that much money at the time; any I had went to hand out free food. After we ran out, we went on Facebook and raised a little money. In the end, the Mayors office stepped up and gave us money to continue.

SUPPORT: Become a #machead (as his loyal social media fans call themselves) and support the #Dominooch by following Dom at @MacTruckNY and @ChefDomTes on Twitter or Instagram.com/chefdomtes.

His culinary training took him to Italy, where he refined his skills and placed second in an international cooking competition. Dom believes in quality ingredients, solid technique and simple cooking. He now owns New York’s first and only mac-and-cheese food truck.

Im standing next to a professional football player, a radio host and Arnold, an accomplished entertainer.

Just being in that moment: Heres a real spotlight on the floor and they want me to talk. I have no clue what to say — I forget everything Ive done in the last 10 years.

Whats it feel like to hear Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis declare you the “best” chef in the competition, regardless of on-camera jitters?

And here I am: Just a regular guy — whos cringing. This is the first time America is meeting me. What are they gonna think?

You know, at the Games — by that point I had the experience. I had worked so many huge events. Plus, I was surrounded by an entire team of professionals working together.

Chef Dom Tesoriero has been running Mac Truck NYC – the city’s first and only gourmet mac and cheese food truck – since 2012. Tesorieros culinary expertise goes far beyond macaroni; he is a professional chef who graduated from the Institute of Culinary Education. He’s also worked in renowned New York City restaurants like Il Cortile and Lincoln Ristorante. “Dom Eats Local” is a new video series that follows New York chef Dom Tesoriero on culinary travels around the country.22 IVY PHOTO

While you’re at it, check out the full web series, “Dom Eats Local,” and let us know which city you’d rank among the best in the country.

In each city, a local food writer guided him through two sides of the food scene. First, they visited an innovative, more upscale restaurant. Then, they checked out an established native institution, where he was put to work in the kitchen while the restaurateurs spoke about what makes the food scene so special.

Check out where he dined and let us know what you think of his foray into Staten Island cuisine. Did he hit the right spots?

“In the other cities, it was very interesting. I got a taste of what they had to offer,” Tesoriero previously told the Advance of the nearly yearlong experience while filming the series with Space Station NYC and Headline Studios NYC.

We Finally Know The Truth About The Food Network Star Who Died

FAQ

Who is the most popular chef on Food Network?

Who won Food Network Star 2017?

Does ‘the next Food Network Star’ go wrong?

Despite all of the questions and background checks involved in getting on the show, sometimes things can go wrong. In season three, Joshua Adam Garcia, who goes by JAG, made it to the final two contestants on that season of The Next Food Network Star.

Is ‘the next Food Network Star’ canceled?

In the summer of 2018, the Food Network aired season 14 of The Next Food Network Star. It was the last new season to go live, and there’s no word no when a next season might air. There is, however, plenty of speculation about whether or not the show has been canceled.

How did the Food Network become a celebrity?

In the ensuing decades, it led the charge in turning chefs into celebrities. Getting on the Food Network meant stardom for chefs who were used to being in the kitchen. Then, in 2005, the Food Network created a reality cooking show about its own star-making power: The Next Food Network Star.

What happened to Jay Ducote?

Jay Ducote, the runner-up from season 11, went on to get a book deal, continue his writing and radio work, and start a line of spices. That just goes to show that even those who lost still have ample opportunities to make their way into the world of food media. For six seasons, the Food Network ran with the title The Next Food Network Star.