Jenkintown Chef Competes on 'Food Network Star'

If you flip on the Food Network this weekend, , competing against 11 other chefs on Food Network Star.

Rosenthal, who previously owned Rosey's BBQ in Jenkintown and Ambler, and is opening The Lucky Well in Ambler, said he taught himself to cook in his backyard.

He continued that he was traveling all over the US, and from Memphis to Texas, he loved the barbecue. When he returned home, he started experimenting in his backyard as well as started to develop his own sauces, dry rubs and brines.

His passion for barbecue was what inspired him to open his first restaurant in Jenkintown. He told Patch that he love talking about food, serving people and "the time was right and just went for it."

Three years ago, Rosenthal auditioned the first time for Food Network Star. He told Patch that he's auditioned three years and each year has made it very close to the final cut.

He said the first time, a friend e-mailed him the information about auditioning the night before the open call in Philadelphia. He said his original thought was, "I'm not a TV guy" but that same night went out and printed out some photos to pass as head shots and filled out the very lengthy application and release form.

Rosenthal described the auditioning process: The first open call is giving your "30 second promo." If you are called back, he said you are asked to do a food prep demonstration, the next round is a camera test and then casting makes their decision.

This year, Rosenthal received the final call back to be on the show between Christmas and New Years. He was working on the beginning of The Lucky Well and thought it would be the perfect time to get out there.

The first episode of Food Network Star aired this past Sunday at 9 p.m. Rosenthal said the 12 chefs were brought to the the studio in separate cars and kept in seperate holding rooms. He said when the viewers see the chefs meeting each other for the first time, it is also the first time they all meet each other.

Rosenthal said while in his holding room, all he could hear of the person next to him was a guy playing guitar, which turned out to be Rodney Henry.

He continued that they were all in the studio mingling and talking when the doors open and out walk Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis and Alton Brown. He said almost immediately the chefs were asked to start creating their 30-second pitch tape for the first challenge.

Rosenthal said he went into it without anything pre-rehearsed and spoke from the heart. He said it was tough, but went towards the very end so was able to watch what everyone else did. "[When] it was my time…I just started talking," he said.

Rosenthal said he is competing with lots of people representing big cities, like New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Cleveland and more. He said he made a point to say "Chad from Ambler" not "Chad from Philadelphia." "[I'm proud to be] representing our little town of Ambler," he told Patch.

Rosenthal said the show, "Hasn't changed me yet." He told Patch that his main goal right now is to get The Lucky Well open, get cooking and start selling some great food. He said The Lucky Well will be combining comfort food with a "full rocking bar scene." He added that barbecue will be the center of the menu at all times at The Lucky Well.

He said he's not going to rush the opening of the restaurant and wants to get the staff and the food right. They are currently shooting for a mid-July opening.

Next Food Network Star airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. This Sunday Rosenthal said will be "exciting" as the challenge is a burger bash and viewers will get to see him work a grill.

To learn more about Food Network Star, Chad Rosenthal, and The Lucky Well click here.