Entertainment

Dallas restaurant owner Lisa Garza is one step away from joining Terry Fator, Emmitt Smith and Kelly Clarkson in the pantheon of North Texas reality-show champions. But first, she must take to the kitchen and dispense with Adam Gertler and Aaron McCargo on Sunday night's finale of The Next Food Network Star. Will she carve through the competition to earn her own show on the network? Here's a look at the competitors:

At 9 p.m. Sunday on the Food Network. 1 hr. Finale will be preceded by a season marathon starting at 1 p.m.

Culinary background: Co-owns Suze restaurant in Dallas with her chef husband, Gilbert Garza.

Food Network

Lisa Garza

Highest highs: Her best moments have come in her graceful recoveries from potential disasters. When she slipped in the kitchen, spilling a sauce all over herself, she cracked a joke while presenting her dish that endeared her to the judges. Last week, she left half of the fish she was going to prepare on the floor at Whole Foods but saved the day by pitching the remaining dish as a tasting portion.

Lowest lows: Judges frowned in episode one at her forced "Three C's: Cooking, Community Outreach and Culinary Crafts." The "Beautiful Basics" idea never gathered much steam, either.

Why she'll win: Her knowledge of food is unsurpassed. And she's got a look that would separate her from the crowded stable of cooking-show hostesses.

Why she won't: Her intensity while cooking can be intimidating to viewers. Also, her food may be too gourmet for the mostly everyday Food Network.

Culinary background: Currently a waiter, Mr. Gertler previously owned a barbecue restaurant in Philadelphia.

Food Network

Adam Gertler

Highest highs: In the last two weeks, his food has finally matched his personality. His macaroni and cheese was lauded, and his smoked pork chop last week was voted that episode's best dish.

Lowest lows: Singing and playing the harmonica on his knees for Martha Stewart didn't earn him any favor with the queen of all things proper. Serving undercooked chicken and raw eggs left the judges feeling queasy.

Why he'll win: Of the final three, he is the most comfortable on camera by a mile, a talent that is tough to teach.

Why he won't: His culinary expertise has been questioned by the judges throughout the season, leading to concerns about his authority in the kitchen.

Culinary background: Executive catering chef for Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Food Network

Aaron McCargo

Highest highs: His pairing with a Girl Scout to cook a kid-friendly dish on the Rachael Ray show looked effortless. The first week in Las Vegas, guest judge Paula Deen raved about his chicken parmesan.

Lowest lows: His painful comedy routine last week in front of the Vegas entertainers made everyone squirm. And during a week five challenge, when he had to describe a dish on camera, he spent way more time tasting than talking.

Why he'll win: His dishes may be the most consistently praised of the season. There doesn't seem to be a cuisine that he can't cook.

Why he won't: Talking and cooking simultaneously has proved difficult for him, and that's the name of the game for a Food Network host.