Winner Jess told The U.S. Sun what most impressed her about the duo from the show
LISA Vanderpump and Gordon Ramsay set the winner of Food Stars up for success – and left her red-faced in the process.
Triumphant Jess Druey was crowned the champ of the second season of the Hulu show with the wine company she created during lockdown impressing the superstar judges.
Jess’s Whiny Baby – which is a bespoke wine delivery service – blew the competition away with her business acumen and entrepreneurial skills, bagging a tasty $250,000 to help her company surge onto the next level.
The California based innovator, 26, was already a huge Vanderpump fan and said working with Lisa was an “incredible experience” which lived up to all her expectations.
But what she didn’t anticipate was being equally blown away by firebrand cooking supremo Gordon, who called the show a “business boot camp.”
You’d think two such hard-working, no-nonsense company owners would incessantly hammer into the contestants the importance of professionalism at all times.
The truth, however, was somewhat different.
“Gordon and Lisa said I didn’t need to be so polished,” Jess told The U.S. Sun.
“They asked me to let them into my personal life a bit more. That was one of the lessons I took away from the show – it doesn’t need to be all business all the time.”
She says the aggressive power duo told her that giving customers a peek behind the curtain and showing her personal side can really help a business grow.
Jess’s company ethos has a natural personal touch, urging people to try and rediscover “connections and sparks of joy in everyday life” which were blunted during the COVID-19 pandemic nightmare.
That was music to Lisa and Gordon’s ears – but the X-rated jokes and choice words were still flying around.
“They work hard, they play hard, and they’re not afraid to be themselves,” the proud winner continued.
“They’re cursing up a storm too. They’ve got quite crude humor.”
Jessica, however, couldn’t stop smiling when telling The U.S. Sun all about working with Lisa.
Just being on her team was enough. But the lessons learned will last a lifetime.
The reality TV star was impressed with her work ethic while being totally driven and, most importantly, completely down to earth.
“She said to me a million times that she’s a maximalist and I think it was just that affirmation to stay true to yourself,” Jessica, who was a big Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fan, continued.
“Flamboyant women, especially, can show up in these business settings authentically as themselves. I think that in the past, in corporate settings, I’ve kind of doled myself down, and it’s a huge takeaway for me.
“You know you watch the success of someone like Lisa Vanderpump. She’s never done that.”
Lisa Vanderpump on Food Stars success
In addition to her television shows, Lisa Vanderpump has owned 30 restaurants around the world.
And she promised more food content with her new Fox show, Future Food Stars with Gordon Ramsay.
In the show, Lisa battles her colleague Gordon as they each select food and beverage industry entrepreneurs to join their teams.
“We did go at it because it was very competitive,” she exclusively told The U.S. Sun in May.
“It was his team against my team and I don’t give up lightly.
“There was a lot of energy there and it was complicated – we were basically mentoring young entrepreneurs – but it’s a bit of a struggle, but we get the job done and that’s all I can say.
“You’ve got to watch until the bitter end, but I do love Gordon Ramsay.”
She said Gordon was a “total tough cookie,” but when the tough love predictably arrived in some expletive-filled rants, it came with a purpose.
Jess stood up to the celebrity chef while being grilled by the Brit, which impressed him.
And she also took some of her team to task, which was right up the fiery restauranteur’s street.
She recalls watching him work his magic in the kitchen was “mind-boggling,” and it was easy to see why.
“What I learned with Gordon is if you show him you can dish it out to, he really respects it,” Jess added.
“I wasn’t afraid to kind of push it, be cheeky, and have fun with it. But he’s exactly how he seems. The man is like an actual rock star and such a pro.”
What set Jess and Whiny Baby towards success was Lisa’s vested interest in the wine trade.
Her Vanderpump wine has long been on the market, so seeing someone else step into her shadow was terrifically advantageous.
Whiny Baby has now added 20 states to its portfolio, with retailers like Target and Total Wine showing an interest.
“Lisa just got it from the start,” she said with a smile.
Now, with the investment injection and Lisa’s assistance moving forward secured, the only way is up for Whiny Baby and its owner.
“Having a woman who understands my vision is so important,” she concluded. “I’m so lucky Lisa believes in me.”
