Food Network will hold open-call auditions nationwide this summer for chefs and amateur cooks looking to compete for their own Food Network series on the sixth annual season of "The Next Food Network Star." Open casting calls will take place throughout July and August. Interested candidates should bring an application, photograph and resume to the casting site. Those who can't attend the audition should submit a three-minute video to www.foodnetwork.com/star explaining why they should be the next Food Network star. Auditions will be held in the following locations:
Phoenix, Ariz., July 8, 10 am to 4 pm
Embassy Suites Phoenix/Scottsdale
4415 East Paradise Village Parkway, Phoenix
Chicago, Ill., July 12, 10 am to 4 pm
Affinia Chicago Hotel
166 East Superior St., Chicago
Austin, Texas, July 17, 10 am to 4 pm
Hyatt Regency Downtown
208 Barton Springs Road, Austin
San Francisco, Calif., July 26, 10 am to 4 pm
W Hotel San Francisco
181 Third Street, San Francisco
New York, N.Y., July 31, 10 am to 4 pm
CBS
530 W. 57th Street, New York
Los Angeles, Calif., Aug. 10, 10 am to 4 pm
Saddle Ranch Chop House
8371 West Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, Calif.
San Diego, Calif., Aug. 17, 12 pm to 5 pm
W Hotel San Diego
421 W. B Street, San Diego
Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 24, 10 am to 4 pm
W Hotel Atlanta Midtown
188 14th St. NE, Atlanta
For more information, visit www.foodnetwork.com/star.
According to new survey findings from consumer intelligence provider Mintel Menu Insights, just one in five (20 percent) American diners ranks food health as an important factor when eating dinner in a restaurant. The results indicated that more diners rated taste (77 percent) and hunger satisfaction (44 percent) as important factors. Furthermore, just over half of survey respondents said they order healthy menu items at restaurants, although three-fourths said they would like to see more healthy items on menus.
Although restaurants are creating more healthy food items for customers, unhealthy choices still reign on restaurant menus. Mintel Menu Insights found that during the first quarter of 2009, just 5 percent of new menu items carried a nutritional claim, and nearly 20 percent of new food items were fried. And price remains a deterrent to healthy dining out. Over half of survey respondents said eating healthy at restaurants is more expensive than not eating healthy. Still, more than 75 percent of diners said they want more transparency on food health, which coincides with government efforts to increase nutrition labeling on restaurant menus.
Mintel Menu Insights tracks U.S. restaurant menus to identify flavor, preparation, menu item and pricing trends. For more information, visit www.mintel.com.
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Food Network will hold open-call auditions nationwide this summer for chefs and amateur cooks looking to compete for their own Food Network series on the sixth annual season of "The Next Food Network Star." Open casting calls will take place throughout July and August. Interested candidates should bring an application, photograph and resume to the casting site. Those who can't attend the audition should submit a three-minute video to www.foodnetwork.com/star explaining why they should be the next Food Network star. Auditions will be held in the following locations: