TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Land O' Lakes business backing Food Network contestant

ADVERTISEMENT

By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: June 5, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - A contestant on this season's "The Next Food Network Star," a nationally televised culinary competition on Food Network, has ties to the Pasco area; a strong contingent of local support lead by a family member and fellow cook.

Jeffrey Saad, one of 10 finalists on this season's "The Next Food Network Star," which debuts Sunday , is the cousin of Alex Altenhoff, owner of Weck's Deli and Catering, 21511 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive in Land O' Lakes.

"We're really, really excited for him," Altenhoff said. "This is an episode of Jeffrey's life he can share with his family and friends. This is his time to shine."

In support of Saad, Altenhoff and Weck's co-owner John Miller have posted promotional signs throughout the deli. Altenhoff plans to record episodes of "The Next Food Network Star" and show them at the deli, and to send voting links (the winner of the show is determined by viewer vote) to members of the Weck's e-mail mailing list.

"We're his Tampa support team," said Altenhoff, adding, "For a food enthusiast, 'The Next Food Network Star' is our 'American Idol.'"

Altenhoff's mother, Janet Altenhoff, is the sister of Saad's father, the late Roger Saad. They are native to Chicago; according to Altenhoff, a love for the culinary arts is an inherited trait for this family.

"He's just as passionate about food as we are at Weck's," Altenhoff said. "A passion for food was instilled in all of us by our grandparents and parents."

Altenhoff recalls family dinners in which even the youngest kids pitched in to make flavorful homemade meals.

"Everyone was in the kitchen cooking together," Altenhoff said. "The kids were taste testers. We would tell Grandma if we thought her food needed a little more of this or that."

According to a bio posted at http://www.foodnetwork.com/chefs/jeffrey-saad/inde..., Saad went on to graduate from California Culinary Academy and accumulate more than 25 years' experience as a restaurateur, food consultant, recipe developer, and chef. He owns a California real estate brokerage firm with wife Nadia; the couple has two children.

"Food is in my blood," he said in a Food Network video.

It was Saad's sister Lisa Krusinski who first informed Altenhoff that his cousin was a finalist on "The Next Food Network Star"; Saad's wife Nadia later sent Altenhoff an e-mail thanking him for his support.
Altenhoff pledges to continue his support, along with other members of Saad's "Tampa team."

"Our memories are fond and our family is very supportive of each other," he wrote in a Weck's promotional e-mail. "In happiness and sadness we are there for each other. I think that's what makes a family strong, knowing that when you stand on the front line your back is covered. So here you have it, we love our cousin very much and are extremely excited for him and this adventure he is about to undertake. We invite you to enjoy his humor, food expertise and philosophy of life as this episode in his life unfolds right in front of us all. We know you'll fall just as much in love with him as we have."

For information about "The Next Food Network Star" or to vote following Sunday's show, visit http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-next-food-network-s...

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT