Melissa d’Arabian is redefining what Food TV Network is all about and it’s about time. Charles Darwin said it best, “It’s not the strongest of the species who survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.” Melissa is strong, intelligent and not only responsive to change but a culinary chameleon. Hell, she’s a mom! Like so many mothers today she’s learned that cooking and motherhood can be a wonderful experience. It is because of motherhood that Melissa is who she is, a woman that is driven. Driven by passion, love of her craft and a willingness to make a difference.

For years and years we’ve grown accustomed to seeing these picture perfect chefs telling us how to do this or that and for the first time since Paula Deen, we have a regular person, a mom. Yes, there were lots of  folks rooting for Jeffrey Saad, I was even hoping he would win, but then I had to look at the bigger picture. What would it mean to “women” to have just a regular mom win, some one who is not really polished, who carries babies and cooks on a budget. Look let’s get real, we are in a recession, Julia and Julie is coming out at the same time the Food TV Network winner is being announced…hummm…is it all by design? You tell me.