Next Food Network Star?

A Gordonsville chef could be on his way to being one of ten finalists competing for the title of The Next Food Network Star. Montebello Kitchens Owner and Chef Steven Lynch is a finalist for a starring role on a Food Network reality show.
Lynch's chance at stardom began when at the last minute, a food industry friend called Lynch to let him know there was an open casting call in Washington D.C. With just hours to spare before auditions began, Lynch and his wife Rebecca scrapped their weekend plans (for a 10th wedding anniversary celebration) and at the 11th hour, set out for the audition.
En route, the Lynches completed an extensive long answer-style written application, Rebecca Lynch remembered, and later, sat around for almost six hours at a D.C. hotel with hundreds of other applicants (everyone from drag queens to big-time chefs, she said).
The Gordonsville chef aced an interview with the show's panelists and producers, moving Lynch along in the audition process, and qualifying him for a screen test and a phase of the audition he had not anticipated: Contestants who made it through the interview stage would be required to prepare a specialty dish, and Lynch's last minute decision to enter the competition meant he hadn't lined up a prep kitchen-or even a spatula-to use for his signature cardamom-scented baby lamb chops with rosemary and tomato pan sauce.
"I told the producers, 'I'm two and a half hours from home and I don't have anything to cook with!' " Lynch said. Food Network executives told Lynch to do his best, but Lynch remembered thinking he'd never stand a chance if he showed up for the second phase of the audition empty-handed.
With a few MacGyver-like maneuvers, the Lynches combed the District for ingredients and supplies and managed to secure a kitchen set-up in a conference room through an industry connection.
"All I needed was two pots and a couple of burners," Lynch said.
Ultimately, network execs thought Lynch looked the part during a screen test, and his lamb chops outdid other audition culinary creations to win him a spot as a finalist.
Luckily, Lynch said, this is his busy season, so he won't have much chance to wonder what Food Network producers will decide.
"This is our busy time of the year, so I'm staying busy with work and I'm not thinking about it," he said.
Lynch learns whether he's made the final cut in January 2009. If he's chosen as one of the top 10 finalists for next season's Food Network Show, he'll compete in challenges designed by celebrities like Rachael Ray, Alton Brown, Paula Deen, Giada De Laurentiis and Martha Stewart. And if Lynch outdoes his rivals, he may become the Next Food Network Star.
In the meantime, Lynch and his wife Becky continue to operate their successful specialty foods business Montebello Kitchens. The family-run set-up features fine foods and ingredients that have roots in the recipes of old Virginia cooking.
"If nothing else happens," Lynch said, "at least I'll have a good story to tell!"