Food Network Star finalist from Air Force family

Published May 2, 2012
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Food Network Star" grew up in an Air Force family.

Cristie Schoen appears on the program which premiers 8 p.m. May 13, Mother's Day. Her mom Elizabeth ("Ms Betty"), a member of the 81st Medical Support Squadron, is a retired master sergeant and her dad Bill is a retired chief master sergeant. Both retired at Keesler.

Betty said, "Her dad taught her how to cook Cajun food at an early age. After graduating from (Louisiana State University), where she majored in language and art, she headed straight for California to become an actress. In her endeavors to become a star, she worked for a catering service which caters movie productions. Her cooking so impressed some of the directors that they personally requested the caterer. She has worked with them for 10 years now and is presently catering a movie in New Orleans directed by Tom Hanks.

Her love for cooking and acting became well known in the movie business. She was picked as one of 15 finalists out of 20,000 contestants after quite a few auditions to be selected for "Next Food Network Star." A special about the selection process for the show airs 8 p.m. May 12.

Betty added Cristie is in the centerfold of the May issue of the Food Network magazine and the April 8 "Sun Herald" included a story about her appearance on the show.

Commenting on Cristie's forthcoming "Next Food Network Star" turn, Betty said, "I am so proud of Cris! She has always been a very hard worker and someday, whether or not she's a winner on this show, she will get what she wants in life -- her own café or restaurant."