One of the final two contestants won Next Food Network Star

by Teresa Gubbins

Jeffrey Saad and Melissa d'Arabian wait to hear who will win Next Food Network Star.

Ex-Keller mom Melissa d'Arabian won Season 5 of Next Food Network Star in the finale that aired Sunday night.

d'Arabian, whose fortunes we faithfully followed -- until last week, that is, when we learned that her status as a resident of Keller was a heartbreaking sham -- beat out runner-up Jeffrey Saad by exuding slightly more shimmer in her star quality than the low-key Saad.

It didn't come as much of a surprise, and not just because she appeared to be wearing a smug winner's grin in the finale's sneak peek. From day one, wispy Judge Bob has repeated ad nauseum that he wanted surprise, he wanted to be surprised, he wanted some SURPRISE gosh darn it from the contestants. Simultaneously, every episode, he also recited the fact that Melissa continued to, yes, surprise him.

It's a happy ending for Jeffrey and Meliss- wait, OK, Melissa wins. This is a victory hug is what it is.

She surely is full of surprises, including the revelation that, 15 years ago, she had a cooking show called The Gourmet Gallery which showcased chefs in the Los Angeles area. Wow, that's a surprise.

The finale showed the contestants at home with their families. d'Arabian was filmed in Keller, playing host to other Keller moms including one who dutifully recounted that her husband told her to listen to Melissa's cooking advice. Another scene showed d'Arabian ostensibly "volunteering" with the city of Keller's Economic Development Board. No more of that, though, now that she lives in Kirkland, Wash.

The two contestants filmed pilots, coached by Alton Brown. Jeffrey became "The Ingredient Smugger," while d'Arabian's mom thing got transformed into "The Kitchen Survival Guide." Jeffrey made a harissa steak sandwich while Melissa made "four-step chicken." They both did well, the judges hemmed and hawed, the confetti came down, and Melissa had won.

Her show debuts on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Foodnetworkhumor.com says the show is called Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian, airing right after Sandra's Money Saving Meals. Melissa will prepare dinner for a family of 4 on a $10 budget. And Philpot has an interview with the winner.