Über Desi

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Desi on The Next Food Network Star

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This last Sunday night as I was flipping through the channels, I caught a brief section of this year’s The Next Food Network Star on the Food Network. To those who’re unfamiliar with this show or the channel, the show pits 10 finalists against each other and the winner gets their own show on the food network, not to mention all the money and publicity also. This year’s show has a desi among the finalists, Nipa Bhatt.

Nipa is a marketing manager by day and cooking enthusiast by night. Nipa is the former owner of the Gypsy Curry House and has taught a variety of cooking classes. This married mother of two thinks everyone should cook with a fearless attitude. Her versatile background has allowed her to grow up in both India and the United States and bring both worldly tastes to the table.

I could not complete watching the show that night but my understanding is Nipa was not eliminated this week. As for the section of the show I caught, Nipa made some pork dish that was not popular among the judges. The judges were expecting more of a “curry taste” from her cooking, perhaps because she is of Indian origin or maybe because she owned a place called the Gypsy Curry House.

My biggest complain with Food Network right now is that they don’t have enough chefs featuring ethnic food shows – Italian does not count. If Nipa wins, she could provide the kind of variety food network is looking for by making an Indian-food themed show.

Did anyone else catch this show? It airs Sunday nights on the Food Network at 10PM Eastern.

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  • anon
    Nipa made a "suki bhaji" dish that was not received well with the judges because it did not have very much curry flavor. I am actually appalled at Nipa's performance in the last show because she actually hinted at her insecurities of being Indian..."I'm different....look at me" were her exact words as she motioned at herself. As a South Asian woman, I am insulted. She is not representing South Asian woman in a positive light, but instead playing into stereotypical views that non-South Asians might have about South Asian woman.

    And she did not "grow up" in India...she left when she was 5. Come on...
  • I'm assuming they're referring to the fact that she grew up in India before moving to the US. Chalk that down to bad editing.
  • Her versatile background has allowed her to grow up in both India and the United States


    What do they mean "allowed her to grow up" ?
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