Excited
You know what channel you don’t see a lot of Asian Americans on? The Food Network. For all the Chinese restaurants, pho houses, sushi bars and Korean BBQ joints that Americans love eat at, there hasn’t been a regular Asian-American host on the New York based food channel since Ming Tsai moved to PBS and the channel changed focus from chef hosts to talking heads with catch phrases like “BAM” and “EVOO.”
Enter Debbie Lee, a Korean American contestant on the Food Network’s reality competition show, The Next Food Network Star. Citing her food as “Korean with a Soulful Edge,” Debbie grew up eating southern food but has “gone through a learning curve,” learning to make Korean food from a Grandmother that doesn’t speak English. Like guest blogger Kimberly who grew up in the South, both struggled with their self-identity in a region of the US where growing up Asian can be more of a challenge.
Now, let’s hope the food matches her stories. We know that kalbi taco’s can be delicious; let’s hope kimchee fried chicken is just as good.
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First of all let's face the fact that Debbie Lee has a serious character flaw despite how tearfully she'd disagree. Instead of admitting faults she finds excuses for her mistakes. She can't cook Korean food worth crap, her Korean is terrible (mind you it's simple words not even sentences), and she plays the race card for being Korean. I am Korean and I was completely pissed off...I have truly been waiting for an Asian show-host but this fake person was NOT it. I am so glad Bobby Flay saw right through her BS. From her not owning up to the Miami party as kitchen manager, saying she actually used the capers, and then saying that Koreans like to eat their meat "tough". GALBI-JJIM IS NOT TOUGH DEBBIE LEE. It is slow cooked Galbi that literally falls off the bones. I have an American friend who I introduced Korean BBQ to and he couldn't even eat it because he considered it too "fatty" and "tender". Debbie's justification for that horrifying excuse for her Galbi-jjim made it seem like Koreans were like cavemen "Gnawing" rubber-meat.
Debbie Lee you were the WORST representation for a Korean-American on National TV. Please gain some morals in your life and realize that usually those who admit their faults and weaknesses are more respected than those who try to create a lame excuse for everything. But then along with your "I'm Korean" rant you frequently stated that you wouldn't feel bad about your mistakes. Yea but neither should you lie and pretend it ever happened.
I never thought I would actually cheer against a Korean-American Food Network Star contender
I'd like to see an asian personality on FN, but I'm so glad they didn't make it Debbie Lee. Forgetting her outsized head and face (as that has been deemed to be off-limits here), I just didn't like the dishonesty she seemed to display throughout the competition.
That said, plenty of FN's new shows are based on people who did not come up through the competition circuit. Can't they find a promising young asian chef out there to promote? For instance Hung Huynh, winner of Bravo's Top Chef. He's a brilliant talent, he has plenty of charisma that draws the viewer in, and his head fits within the normal boundaries of human physiology.
Well, Debbie got voted off the show, finally. After her repeated lies, she is an embarrassment to herself and the asian community in general. I'm glad the show was not rigged, like some people have said, that FN needed an asian star in their line up. Debbie is gone, about time!
@susanpettigrew,
It's really not becoming to speak of people like that. Understand that when you address people by their physical appearances alone, and in such a cavalier way, you are bound to offend people. Consider that your comments have absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand.
You are talking about people as if they were nothing more than objects. Sorry, but your comments are very ignorant-sounding.
judgemental much?
"I'm not racist but..."
Yes Ming is still on PBS, but he left FN. I loved that after he left he came back for Iron Chef and beat Bobby Flay, though. You go, Ming!
Why are you going on about racial characteristics?
I have to object to your grievous objectifying.
What is it with YOU people?
What is it with Koreans? I like them and their food, but they all have such huge, round faces. Do you think FN needed a perfectly circular head to fill a void in their programming?
wasn't ming on this network?
i thought he was hot and fanatstic and then
all of a sudden he was on at midnight only?
one network that is very diverse is hgtv.
i've seen lots of gay couples on there featured
as well as mixed race couples. also multi cultural
in use of hosts. love that!
go debbie!
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[...] since Debbie Lee made a, uhm, less than stellar attempt at becoming The Next Food Network Star, there’s been a noticeable lack of Asian Americans from the South talking about [...]