Hospital chef Aaron McCargo Jr. was named The Next Food Network Star on Sunday, edging out Lisa Garza and Adam Gertler in the show's first three-way final competition.

The 36-year-old father from Camden, N.J., won't have much time to savor his win, however. His new show, Big Daddy's House, will air Aug. 3.

The curiously accelerated production schedule will be especially daunting for McCargo, who struggled in front of the cameras throughout the competition.

Editing in last night's finale made it appear that McCargo's performance jitters would cost him the final challenge -- filming a pilot show. But we pretty much know that the contestant who looks like he's flopping during the final challenge is probably the winner.

Lisa Garza, the tightly wound restaurant owner from Texas, surprised everyone by being relaxed and warm during her pilot episode. It helped that she was coached by the likable Gordon Elliott, a Food Network personality who now spends most of his time behind the camera producing Paula's Party and Down Home With the Neelys. We did get to see the old hyperachieving Garza, though, when she pitched not one, but three shows to Elliott, each with its own tasteful diorama. Waiter Adam Gertler came up with the most original, if somewhat convoluted, show, called I'm Always Hungry in Philadelphia. The premise was that he would take viewer questions via Web cam and demonstrate recipes. He was so entertaining on camera, though, he'll probably get his own show anyway.

Big Daddy's House will debut at 1:30 p.m Sunday on The Food Network.

Shirleen Holt is a freelance writer and former newspaper editor living outside of Portland, Ore.

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