Former CNN Producer Named ‘Next Food Network Star’

Aarti Sequeira, a former producer at CNN, was announced as the winner Sunday of “The Next Food Network Star” competition on the Food Network where she will be awarded her own series.

Sequeira, 31, started out of college at CNN’s Chicago bureau before heading to NYC where she became a segment producer for CNNfn. Eventually, she moved from journalism to cooking, with a focus on her Indian background — she was born in India and grew up in Dubai.

4.6 million people watched the finale of what became the number one food show on cable. CNN is having her as a guest on “Your $$$$$” Saturday (1pmET). Video of the big win after the jump.