Published: March 28, 2008 05:34 pm            

Smokey Valley on national TV

March 26, 2008 — Cookin’ breakfast at local truck stop put one local woman and her coworkers on a national television food program and a chance to meet Guy Fieri, the host of The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

Jean Oney was in the middle of a normal routine at the Smokey Valley Truck Stop when The Food Network filmed a show about down home cookin’ and dishes that really taste “like what mama made.”

Oney has worked at the restaurant for about 20 years as cook and waitress and said being part of the program was really “exciting.”

“We are really shocked because they filmed me and Lou Ison working the grill first,” Oney commented. “We were really busy that day and Guy helped us with the grill. He was so very nice and pleasant to be around. We just had the best time ever.”

Owner of the facility Juanita Flannery said she was honored to have her local facility chosen for the show and was really impressed with how accommodating Fieri and his crew were.

“It’s very exciting and an honor to be on the program,” Flannery said. “At first I didn’t pursue it too much because I really didn’t think they’d call back to do the show. We don’t have gimmicks here and I just thought they’d choose another facility. But they called back wanted to do it. And what a great job they did. Guy and his crew and producers were just wonderful to all of us. Guy was enjoyable to work with. He is a really nice guy. I was so proud of the girls when he told me of how impressed he was with Jean and Lou and the other workers.”

Enjoying lunch recently t the Smokey were H.M. Holbrook and his wife Phyllis, who visit the restaurant on a frequent basis.

“It’s a good place to eat,” Phyllis commented. “We don’t debate too much about where to go when eating out. The Smokey is a friendly restaurant and it’s where you can run into all your buddies.”

Fieri began his career in foodservice at the age of 10, selling soft pretzels from a three-wheeled bicycle cart that he built with this father.

With his bleached-blonde hair, skateboarder shorts and tattoos, Fieri entered Food Network’s 2006 contest “The Next Food Network Star and was selected from over 10,000 entrants as one of the eight finalist.

He quickly became a fan favorite and was named the show’s winner. His new Food Network Show, Guy’s Big Bit, premiered in June 2006.

The episode featuring the Smokey Valley Truck Stop, "Like Mama Made," will air at 11:30 p.m., Sunday, March 23; 2:30 a.m. Monday, March 24; 9 p.m. Friday, March 28; midnight on Saturday, March 29; 4 p.m. Sunday, March 30; 1 p.m. Monday, March 31 and noon on April 11.

        

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