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Rose and Food
Crown Pub Network Star
by Tech. Sgt. Michael Jackson by Senior Airman Grace Lee
A beautiful green countryside, day after day of cloudy 1/2 I’m a foodie and I love watching shows that involve people
skies, rain and fog, and chilly winters and humid summers either eating food or cooking it. That’s why I decided to watch
— if this sounds more appealing to you than sun and desert Your weekly guide the ninth season of “Food Network Star.”
heat, you’re probably better suited for England than Arizona. to entertainment
Mentored and judged by Food Network stars — Bobby Flay,
Fortunately, if it’s only a small taste of English pub life Welcome to the Fly Over, Luke’s source for Giada De Laurentiis and Alton Brown, contestants go through
you’re interested in, you can still enjoy it while stationed several challenges to prove they have what it takes to be the next
here. The Rose and Crown Pub in downtown Phoenix is a movie, book, video game, music and all things Food Network star. The reward – the winner gets his own show
great place to go for dinner with the family, hang out with entertainment reviews. Using a four-point on Food Network and is featured in Food Network magazine.
friends, or just relax with a cold beverage and enjoy the scale, the Thunderbolt staff provides in-depth
atmosphere. reviews allowing the viewer an opportunity to 7KHÀUVWHSLVRGHEHJLQVZLWKWKHLQWURGXFWLRQRIWKHFRQ-
decide what new and classic entertainment op- testants and where they currently are in their culinary careers.
Disappointingly, the servers at the Rose and Crown do not tions are worth their time. The Know a Critic Their backgrounds range from restaurant owner, personal chef
speak with English accents. But, that’s really the only mark- section helps the reader choose critics who and executive chef to one contestant who has beaten Bobby Flay
down I can give this place. Everything else, from the food have tastes similar to their own. in the Food Network show “Iron Chef America.” Once the judges
and beverages to the area and ambience, is all thoroughly DUH LQWURGXFHG WKH FRQWHVWDQWV DUH JLYHQ WKHLU ÀUVW FKDOOHQJH
enjoyable. Prices are reasonable and service is very friendly. 1/4 - Save your money of making a 30-second pitch tape to present to Food Network
executives — Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson.
Located in Heritage Square, the Rose and Crown is in an 2/4 - Wait for Netflix release
old house that’s been converted into what is best described To make things more interesting, judges call the contestants
as a combination of a British-style pub and an American- 3/4 - Worthy of Dine-in Theater immediately to the set to practice and present their 30-second
style bar. The outdoor seating area has plenty of tables and pitch with cameras rolling. With no time to practice, contestants
offers a nice view of the square. 4/4 - Bombs on Target ÀQGWKHPVHOYHVDWDORVVIRUZRUGVDQGVWUXJJOHWRFRQQHFWZLWK
the camera. Some succeed with the help of the judges.
The pub itself has several smaller rooms, some of which Know a critic
have tables while others have bar seating. One room has Throughout the challenge I found myself laughing out loud
a pool table, and there are a couple of bigger tables, if you Michael Jackson is a because contestants who’ve never been on camera don’t see
have several people in your party. videographer who en- themselves the same way the judges and the rest of the world
joys exploring the res- see them. Some don’t know how to be themselves on camera,
The food menu features a blend of British and American taurant scene in the some don’t know how to smile or what to do with their hands,
appetizers and entrees. Phoenix area. He also and others have a hard time conveying what they are all about.
has several outdoor hob-
Scotch eggs are a favorite of mine, and the ones here are ELHV LQFOXGLQJ ÀVKLQJ Out of all the episodes I have to say the product pitch challenge
delicious. If you’re curious about what a Scotch egg is, don’t hiking and snowboard- episode was my favorite. In this challenge, contestants had to
worry. It’s not an egg dipped in a glass of Scotch, although ing. When he isn’t look- create a food product and pitch it to three food executives.
you may be inspired to try that on your own. The appetizer ing for a place to have
is a sliced, hard-boiled egg coated with sausage and bread Jackson his next meal and beer 7KHÀUVWSDUWRIWKHFKDOOHQJHLVFUHDWLQJWZRSURGXFWVIURP
crumbs and deep-fried to delicious perfection. The poutine, which the judges will choose one. The products the contes-
which is basically a large pile of fries covered in gravy and or admiring outdoor Arizona, he likes to read tants create include baked beans, a spice rub, pies, jam and
cheese curds, was also popular at our table. or watch TV. bacon candy. Contestants then meet with a graphic designer
to create the product’s packaging. When presenting to the
Diners have several choices of salads and soups to include Grace Lee is a public executives, they are judged on the packaging, name, taste and
the American New England clam chowder and the English affairs journalist who appearance of the product. While some contestants are given
leek and ale. loves watching documen- negative feedback, others are praised for their products. Some
taries such as “Supersize are given feedback on their presentation and how they are or
Entrées range from Bangers and Mash, which is a mix of Me.” She enjoys watching aren’t being authentic.
sausages and mashed potatoes, to Shepherd’s Pie stuffed food shows where people
with pot roast, vegetables and gravy. There are also more try strange, exotic or It’s obvious from watching the show, being on the Food Net-
traditional American options such as burgers, wraps and oversized meals. Her fa- work or on television in general isn’t easy. You have to be per-
sandwiches. vorite types of movies are sonable, make eye contact, connect with the camera, have what
romance and comedy. In they refer to as “star power” and cook food at the same time.
As a beer enthusiast, I was very excited about trying the Lee her spare time, she loves
beverages at the Rose and Crown. Ale and lager drinkers I found one contestant, Damaris Phillips, hilarious, which
will be pleased with the selection here, and there are also singing, playing guitar, writing songs or reading is not surprising since she is described as zany. However, she
rotating taps that usually include a couple types of India self-help books. tends to portray a sexiness that doesn’t work for her when she
Pale Ale and some nitro brews. The Fullers London Pride gets nervous. It’s been fun watching her throughout the season
was probably my favorite regular tap beer at this pub. It’s since she worries about it now that the judges have given her
a malty brew with a strong hops flavor. negative feedback regarding it.
Beers come in either 16 or 20-ounce sizes, and there are Describing food is another challenge. Words like delicious and
also bottled options for English and Irish beers as well as amazing are forbidden. The contestants must convey the taste
American craft beers and regular lagers. There is also a by using words like sweet, sour, salty or spicy. They must also
short wine menu for those interested in drinking something describe the texture of the food.
other than beer.
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I recommend parking at the nearby 5th and Monroe Street time her heart was broken before describing the food. Contes-
parking garage. The Rose and Crown will validate parking tant Stacey Poon-Kinney did the best job. She described both
WKHUHDQGWKHVWUXFWXUHLVRQO\DÀYHPLQXWHZDONIURPWKHSXE the aroma and taste.
If you have a craving for pizza, the Pizzeria Bianco is right Overall, I would recommend “Food Network Star” to everyone,
across the street from the Rose and Crown, and is definitely especially foodies. This show is fun to watch, but I also found
the next restaurant in this area I plan to visit. myself feeling awkward or embarrassed for the contestants. It
was also fun to imagine what I would do in each of the challenges.
The Rose and Crown gets a high overall rating from me, and
is one of the better places in downtown Phoenix to hang out $IWHUÀQLVKLQJVHDVRQQLQH,PRYHGRQWRVHDVRQDQGFRP-
whether you’re hungry, thirsty or would simply like to relax. pleted that as well. That’s how good the show is. I won’t give any
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For more information on the Rose and Crown Pub, visit
www.theroseandcrownaz.com.
