RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Food Network serves up second helping of reality TV

SCRIPPS HOWARD
Food Network's got a sweetheart in Rachel Ray, a legend in Emeril Lagasse and a beauty in Giada De Laurentiis.
So, who will be added to the mix as "The Next Food Network Star"? Viewers will decide which contender has the best recipe for success beginning Sunday -- after a two-hour episode narrows the competition to two finalists.
Viewers can vote via the Web site, www.foodnetwork.com, or cell phone text messaging until April 19.
Second season
The second season of "The Next Food Network Star" began with a nationwide search for culinary talent and is now down to four finalists: Carissa Seward, Nathan Lyon, Guy Fieri and Reggie Southerland, all living in California.
The winner, who will host a six-episode show airing in June, will be revealed during the show's finale at 9 p.m. April 23
In the upcoming episodes, viewers will see big-name guests, a change of scene, new challenges and, most of all, a chance to decide which chef wins.
Every contestant has different strengths, said Susie Fogelson, Food Network's vice president of marketing and a judge on the show.
The contestants
Fieri is a cool dude with tattoos, Southerland is charming and sassy, Seward is statuesque and Lyon is confident, she said.
Fieri, 38, who captured the judges with his laid-back style and unique barbecue sushi recipe, said cooking on TV has been one challenge after another.
The contestants must worry about whether the recipe is a flop and talk the audience through the process of creating a dish, or "pushing the food through the screen," he said.
"Look at sports: Could you imagine doing a triple helicopter inverted flip?" he asked. "That's the difference between cooking and cooking on TV. I love it."
But watching fellow contestants be eliminated has been even harder than facing a studio audience and judge Bobby Flay, of "Boy Meets Grill," the contestants said.
Togetherness
During filming, the finalists spent about 19 hours together for 21 consecutive days.
Seward, 33, said she was surprised how close the contestants grew.
"We all took naps in the green room together and woke up to have our little snacks -- just like kindergartners," she said. "We really did get along very well, even though I know that sounds cheesy."
For more details on what the contestants did to pass the time (Fieri said he once resorted to playing catch with a ball of tape) read the contestant's journals at www.foodnetwork.com/food/show--nf--vote/.
Last year's winners, Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh of "Party Line with the Hearty Boys," said they were expecting more drama this season.
More drama
"I was sure there would be someone unscrewing everybody's spatulas or something," McDonagh said. "But everyone is so nice -- it's not like some nasty episode of 'Survivor."'
They said being on the other side of the competition -- they coached the contestants -- has been fun. Their advice to the newcomers -- be themselves and embrace their mistakes.
After all, the Hearty Boys set the Food Network kitchen on fire last season, yet went on to win.
"We got it under control," Smith said. "The funniest part was that the teleprompter just kept flashing 'Put out fire! Put out fire!"'
Although things weren't as incendiary this season, there are still surprises ahead, Fogelson said. And there is already talk of searching for next season's contestants.
"Everybody that watches Food Network has a secret dream of having their own show," she said. "All we do is flip the switch, give people the opportunity to live the dream."
A Sunday marathon of "The Next Food Network Star" will air from 4 to 8 p.m., before the 9 p.m., two-hour episode leading to the start of the nationwide vote.