The Next Food Network Fraud?
Updated: Food Network is in the midst of their successful series The Next Food Network Star, which gives ordinary cooks a chance at having their own Food Network show. Unfortunately (though for ratings purposes, fortunately), there is some heat surrounding one of the finalists.
Josh Garcia, or JAG, as he goes by on the program, said that he had been a corporal in the Marine Corps, a grunt who served in Afghanistan as an infantryman before moving to food service. After leaving the corps, he attended the New York Restaurant School, and is now the chef de cuisine at a popular North Carolina restaurant.
The problem is that with the exception of his current title, everything else on his resume may be, how can I put this… cooked up. The Army Times has a blistering expose, examining his record and resume, trying to separate fact from fiction:
"Touted as a graduate of the New York Restaurant School, a former corporal and a grunt-turned-cook who served in Afghanistan, Garcia’s record is actually much less stellar. He didn’t spend nearly two years in the infantry, he didn’t deploy to any war zone, and while it’s unclear whether he was ever a corporal, what is clear is that the Corps showed him to the door nearly eight months early, as a private. Oh yeah, and he never finished culinary school in New York."
TVFoodFan blog has even more coverage, including an interview with Paul Reickhoff, executive director of The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Paul is understandably not pleased.
Food Network did release a statement concerning the situation:
“Food Network remains committed to fully investigating Josh Garcia’s background,” Cara Brugnoli, a network spokeswoman, said Tuesday. “We are working with the military and others to conduct our research and we will release any relevant details when appropriate.”
To their credit, Food Network looks like they are taking the issue seriously. However, because nearly the entire season has been pre-recorded, and so far Garcia is still in the running, there is some potential for serious problems if Garcia is one of the two finalists.
Of course, if the video below is any indication, Garcia may have even more problems ahead. On a scale of one to ten, how funny is it to throw a Macbook? A toddler? Yeah, not so funny. I want my Food Network hosts to throw down some good food, not expensive computer equipment or small children.
And I would prefer to have a host who is honest and likeable, not someone who may have embellished their past to try and gain some acceptance or respect. Definitely not good eats.
Update: Garcia is no longer on the show, The Marine Corps Times has the story.
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Kimmi commented:
Wow, they'd better seriously check up on him.
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usasgtswife commented:
As the proud wife of a 15 year veteran of the United States Army ... he is currently deployed in Afghanistan and unless you've been through it as the person that is deployed, don't ever take credit for it ... these men and women give up a great sacrifice to be there for up to 15 months and for this wannabe to take credit for it goes beyond any ethics issue or morality problem there can be ... how dare you!
I don't care what trials and tribulations you faced growing up ... we all do so quit whining and suck it up.
You chose to lie and deceive ... now pay for it like a man ... for once in your life ... quit snivling ... quit blaming others and look in the mirror.
You are a disgrace to those who serve our country honorably.
Benjamin Shum commented:
It is disgusting that JAG lied and misled everyone repeatedly over a long period of time. He continued to evade telling the truth even when given multiple occasions and opportunities. Do the honor codes upheld by the Marines mean anything to him, a former Marine, at all?! It was not until being confronted with cold hard facts that JAG eventually “came clean” with that fake scripted apology.
It infuriates me even more to see that many “fans” said how much loved him and that they did not care if he lied or cheated because he “overcame” his adversities. (Yeah, what a surprise coming from the Paris-Hilton generation.) Read the Marine Corp Times. JAG even offered to reveal the name the other finalist to the reporter (before the airing of that episode) in exchange for protecting his dirty secrets. Does common decency and basic integrity mean anything at all? Can his sorry whiny ass. He only deserves to be forgiven when he grows up and truly regrets what he has done.
nancy commented:
I am really glad that Amy is Back. I think Rory is okay, but the FoodNetwork already has enough good, competent,comfort food cooks. I do not do any gourmet cooking and I would love to see Amy's take on gourmet cooking-there is definitely she was given another chance-and Jag-I don't even want to go there-he was an accident waiting to happen. If someone hadn't spilled the beans about his real service record and the fact that he did not graduate from cooking school, he would still be misrepresenting himself and he would have gone on living a lie instead of being who he really is. GO Amy!!!!! I've already voted for you.
Paul commented:
Early on, I was liking Rory. Then, after finding out she came in second last year on a Country Music Channel reality series challenge, I realized she is simply a serial fame seeker looking to capitalize on her boobs and blonde hair. Go Amy!!!
Jeff commented:
I don't know if Matt was watching...but Rory only won the Bon Appetit BBQ challenge, not the whole contest. The winner of that challenge did not win everything...yet. That's where we came in...to vote on our favorite.
Matt commented:
The real fraud is that today (July 16th) we are being encouraged to vote for the winner, but the winner was already announced in my subscription to Bon Appetit that I received about two weeks ago.
roger commented:
Chef de cuisine? Dude couldn't even pronounce chipotle. Maybe he's not even really latino...
Jasmin commented:
Jag made a mistake. He shouldn't have lied. But, he is human and to err is human, to forgive divine. Jag made the show really interesting and I enjoyed watching him. I think he would have really had an entertaining show. I was hoping he would win. I did not want anyone else to win as much as him. We all make mistakes at one point or another. There are many people, even some in higher positions of authority who have lied about their past and do not have to pay for their lies. I believe Jag should absolutely be given another chance. I think he would have a lot to offer the Food Network.
Becky commented:
I find it very hard to believe that the Food Network did not know about JAG's background. I would think that they would verify contestants crudentials before having them on the show. I think they might have known about it and let the show go on so that they could drop a bombshell for ratings.
cynic commented:
I've thought it was jag's contest to lose for several weeks, prior to his resignation. Basically my opinion is that FN would have preferred him as a finalist due to his Hispanic heritage. FN is quietly debuting a Hispanic show this month ( Simply Delicioso in a late time slot). Note that this not disparaging in any way, but speaks to the network's constant challenge of expanding viewership and there is not a lot of Hispanic-oriented programming that I can think of. As this most recent episode wound down and Amy was eliminated despite the strongest performance in the Iron Chef deal and an overall strong performance, I felt that my thinking might have some value. No idea why Rory over Amy, ya gotta ask Tusch, but I'm sure that there was a reason. So, until Jag was undone, I thought he was given every chance to make the finals. I thought his performance on the Rachel Ray show was good actually and had to laugh at the parmesan on the lobster. Just my opinion, but I find it hard to believe that FN does not some strategy once the field is narrowed, and, yes, I'm aware that the final vote is by the public, but had he made it, I believe he would have crushed Rory
Candace commented:
I am very surprised Jag did not have someone else to blame for this "mistake." Nothing was ever Jag's fault; just like the banana peppers not making it back to the kitchen. I do not understand why the food network put up with him this long and wanted him to possibly have a show of his own. Couldn't they see how much he lied already? Every show there was a problem that was someone else's fault other than his own. I was so disappointed to know that the FN picked Jag over Amy. I am glad that Amy gets to come back and hopefully win this event. I know she has my vote!
sandy l.a. commented:
The Food Network should show its audience the respect of removing Jag's "exit interview" from their site! To treat him with the same protocol as shown the other contestants is insulting to all of NFNS's loyal fans, not to mention the other finalists who competed fairly and lost to this fraud.
Jag is a disingenuous, non-remorseful narcissist, who continues to pat himself on the back for "doing the right thing" by "resigning" from the competition. By giving this man a forum to continue trying to "sell" his self-serving position is outrageous and unfair. He needs to crawl back into bed and bawl like the spoiled 5 year old brat he has proven himself to be.
FN should have canned this pathetic man when it was revealed to them that he was a cheat and a fraud. Instead, they provided him a sit-down, scripted, opportunity to save face and resign - as though he was doing it for the "good" of the show and his fellow marines. I realize this is just a reality/entertainment show, but what a slap in the face to all the contestants who put their lives on hold, some of whom gave up their jobs to compete in what has turned out to be, a completely tainted competition.
I'm sure NFNS's Season Four's producers will perform more thorough background checks on the next group of contestants - but they really dropped the ball here and did a huge disservice to the Season Three contestants by not looking into Jag's claims before ever accepting him into the competition in the first place! He "robbed" others of a potentially life-changing career. His profile, "exit interview” and recipes should be removed from the FN site and NFNS should acknowledge their responsibility for this mess and apologize to their audience, as well as to the contestants who were cheated as a result.
FN - do the right thing.
Max Peck commented:
As for last night's "mea culpa", I am sure it was something forced on JAG due to the situation and the position it put the Food Network in. The contestants are contracted to whatever promotional needs the FN has for them in the making of this show and I would be willing to bet FN scripted the admission, apology, and withdrawal instead of it being heartfelt and genuine from JAG.
Raymond commented:
Food Network owes the other contestants another shot since this con man stole their opportunity. Bringing back one person is not enough. I say bringing back the last 3 contestants and go from there. Maybe his name isn't Joshua either?
Anon commented:
I think the more important question to ask is if Jag would have come clean himself had they not caught on.
The end of last nights episode sure didnt seem "real". Would any of us been asked to come in, admit our guilt, and then been told how good and bright our futures are? Nice buildup for the "dramatic" bringing back of Amy (a better competitor IMHO).
maxsnonny commented:
I like Amy and was furious that she was eliminated and Jag was kept. He was a loose cannon from the start with his temper and blaming everyone else for his mistakes. I think the judges displayed poor judgement in keeping him but am grateful for their honesty in revealing his deception. I wouldn't be too sure that Jag resigned on his own. I'm sure he was told that if he didn't resign he would be fired. And by the way I think Alton Brown showed himself to be an arrogant, rude individual.
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Jacquie commented:
Despite Rory's horsey mouth, I find her the most tolerable and normal. Most importantly, I'd actually eat the food she makes. It's all about the food.
Beverly Tx commented:
I loved Jag, it is so unfortunate that he disqualified himself. I know he could have been the next food network Star. He was great. The other finilist are so fake acting especially Amy. Go JAG for admitting your wrong doings. Hold your head up and you have my respect. Make sure you do a background check on all the other people that already work for you, because I know you will probaly come up with some surprises!!
Tom commented:
Jag lied. Plain and simple. Honor is more respectable than a lie. I respect Jag for dropping from the competition. Amy had her time like the rest from all the stress. She faced her demons, and prevailed. I'm voting for Amy.
Niecy commented:
Jag needs some serious help...he truly believed he was the fraudelent person he portrayed. To be honest due to his deceit, this should cause Food Network to reconsider this season and give all of the previous contestants a 2nd chance..."GO RORY"
dan commented:
maybe he lied who cares the guy is trying to change himself and proved that he could cook the only reason i continued to watch the show was because of him i am from ny and i know how it is if you make it some how through the struggle and you are good enough let it go guarantee there are many other cooks who have lied before about their background at one time or another that are on that channel right now
Jen commented:
I'm ticked that a few weeks ago Amy wanted off but then changed her mind, then she was sent home, and now she is back by default. Ridiculous! I am voting for Rory not so much because I like her but because Amy doesn't deserve it! I wish there would have been a better final three to be honest.
aria commented:
kno what i still love jag an absolutely prefer him to either rory or amy !!! now that he's out i have no reason to watch NFNS
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DaisyBeach commented:
Wow! that was harsh..throwing kids and computers....i think JAG needs some counciling. Seriously.