Debbie Lee on The Next Food Network Star

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.