A school cafeteria cooking manager and caterer from northeastern Kentucky is going to get a new gig.
Jason Smith of Grayson captured the Food Network Star, Season 13 crown on Sunday night.
Show co-hosts Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentis announced Smith as the newest member of the Food Network family, edging out finalists Cory Bahr and Rustin Hamlin in a showdown in New York City.
Smith, 39, describes himself as the down-home chef and he has been cooking most of his life.
He became popular on the show for his bright and shiny outfits and off-the-cuff down-home sayings.
Smith came into the competition with a crown in his hip pocket. The self-taught chef and baker previously competed and won Food Network’s Baking Championship.
Smith was the cafeteria manager at Isonville Elementary in Elliott County when he won the baking competition and $50,000 prize last December.
The baking show featured timed baking challenges centered around the holiday theme where contestants were selected from a pool of 2,900 bakers.
Throughout the competition Smith fascinated judges with his family’s unique recipes including sauerkraut cake and bean pie.
Kentucky Today