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"Food Network Star 2011," Season 7 is back with the most intense tests of talent and exciting guest stars steering the 15 finalists towards the ultimate dream job: his or her own Food Network show. With the drive to follow in the footsteps of their culinary idols, the finalists must first prove they have the charisma and culinary prowess to host/judge Bobby Flay, the judges' newest addition Giada de Laurentiis and the Food Network executives on the star-making selection committee.
The "Food Network Star 2011" contestants include Mary Beth Albright (Washington, D.C.), Justin Balmes (Marietta, Ga.), Whitney Chen (New York), Katy Clark (Long Beach, Calif.), Penny Davidi (Los Angeles), Justin Davis (Minneapolis), Howie Drummond (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Jyll Everman (Glendora, Calif.), Susie Jimenez (Carbondale, Colo.), Juba Kali (New Orleans), Jeff Mauro (Elmwood Park, Ill.), Vic "Vegas" Moea (Las Vegas), Chris Nirschel (Hoboken, N.J.), Orchid Paulmeier (Bluffton, S.C.), and Alicia Sanchez (New York).
In the two-hour season premiere, the finalists get their first taste of Los Angeles with challenges staged at Grauman's Chinese Theater and the city's Original Farmer's Market. Alton Brown lends his behind-the-camera, know-how to mentor teams in developing promotional TV commercials, later critiqued as contestants serve-up a four-course meal served to the judges and special guests, Jess Cagle, Managing Editor, Entertainment Weekly, "Extra TV" host Mario Lopez and Hal Rubenstein, Fashion Director, InStyle.
With a variety of challenges designed to separate a true star from just another cook in the kitchen, this season's highlights include creating and advertising a unique food truck under the watchful eye of Tyler Florence, adding fireworks to a meal with MGD 64 for an All-American 4th of July Food Festival hosted by Guy Fieri, throwing an impromptu dinner party for Wolfgang Puck, having their menus "roasted" by some legendary comedic faces, using Kellogg's cereals, toaster pastries, and snacks to create an impressive appetizer and competing head-to-head Iron Chef America style in Kitchen Stadium. The finalists also visit the set of ABC's hit series "Cougar Town" and create custom meals for cast and crew with special guest stars, Courteney Cox and show creator Bill Lawrence. This star-studded season also features the industry's biggest stars and culinary authority such as Alton Brown, Anne Burrell, Scott Conant, Melissa D'Arabian, Paula Deen, Ina Garten, Duff Goldman, Robert Irvine, the Neelys, Rachael Ray and Michael Symon.
The selection committee including Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, Food Network executives Bob Tuschman (General Manager/SVP, Programming and Production) and Susie Fogelson (Senior Vice President, Marketing, Creative Services & Brand Strategy), narrow the field before reaching the finale.
The season-long trials and triumphs culminate in the finale on Sunday, August 14th 9pm ET/PT, where the finalist proven to have the ultimate recipe for success is revealed and films a six-episode Food Network series to premiere in August 2011.
"Food Network Star" Season 7 is produced by CBS Eye Too Productions.
Season 6
"The Next Food Network Star 2010" is the Food Network's number one series. Season 6 returns with the most exciting and intense season to date. Shot in Los Angeles on a brand-new studio set, season 6 follows 12 hopefuls competing for the ultimate dream job: his or her own Food Network show. With this coveted prize on the line, the finalists strut their star power and culinary chops for host Bobby Flay and the selection committee to see if they stack up against the competition. Under the mentorship of Giada De Laurentiis, the series kicks off with the finalists getting a taste of Hollywood with a trip to Paramount Studios and a six-course lunch for L.A.'s biggest celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck.
The 12 finalists include: Dzintra Dzenis (Austin, Texas), Doreen Fang (Los Angeles, California), Alexis Hernandez (Clarksville, Indiana), Brianna Jenkins (Atlanta, Georgia), Aria Kagan (Hollywood, Florida), Herb Mesa (Atlanta, Georgia), Serena Palumbo (New York, New York), Tom Pizzica (San Francisco, California), Aarti Sequeira (Los Angeles, California), Darrell "DAS" Smith (Los Angeles, California), Brad Sorenson (Austin, Texas) and Paul Young (Chicago, Illinois).
This season, the finalists travel to Los Angeles where they are put through the ringer to prove their culinary talent and impress the industry's biggest stars. Challenges include a crash-course in red-carpet glamour while catering a star-studded MGD 64 after-party with Grammy-winner Colbie Caillat, serving up savory dishes inspired by classic carnival sweets at the Santa Monica Pier, creating and operating lunch trucks on Venice Beach, and using Kellogg's breakfast cereals to cook dinner with breakfast. The contestants must also impress special guest stars Eva Longoria Parker and Todd English by illustrating an "emotion" through a dish at their restaurant, Beso.
All season long, the finalists receive extra insight and encouragement from a host of guest stars including Wolfgang Puck, Paula Deen, Guy Fieri, Rachael Ray, Alton Brown, Duff Goldman, Ted Allen, Melissa d'Arabian, Grammy-winner Colbie Caillat, acclaimed chef Todd English and mega-star Eva Longoria Parker. The selection committee comprised of Bobby Flay and Food Network executives, Bob Tuschman (Senior Vice President, Programming and Production) and Susie Fogelson (Senior Vice President, Marketing, Creative Services & Brand Strategy), narrow the field down until the finale. The winner receives a six-episode show that premieres in August 2010.
Season 5
The stakes are higher than ever when "The Next Food Network Star" returns with a star-studded fifth season on Food Network. As television's most challenging food fight, the series provides 10 hopeful TV chefs the chance to compete for the ultimate dream job: his or her own Food Network show. Iron Chef Bobby Flay leads the selection committee that ultimately decides the winner's fate and launches one lucky man or woman into a food and television celebrity. When the series kicks off its fifth season, the finalists cater Food Network's "Sweet 16" party with network talent and media there to judge.
The 10 finalists include: Brett August (Washington Heights, New York), Katie Cavuto (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Melissa d'Arabian (Keller, Texas), Teddy Folkman (Alexandria, Virginia), Eddie Gilbert (Manhattan Beach, California), Jen Isham (Orlando, Florida), Debbie Lee (West Hollywood, California), Jamika Pessoa (Atlanta, Georgia), Michael Proietti (New York, New York and Jeffrey Saad (Los Angeles, California).
This season's finalists must prove their culinary expertise and star potential through a series of complex challenges. In each episode, their cooking chops will be put to the test to see who can handle the pressure and present the most mouth-watering food. Challenges include catering a party for a roomful of Food Network stars, impressing the "Barefoot Contessa" herself in the Hamptons and preparing a comforting meal for returning soldiers on the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. The show also flies to sunny Miami for the first time where the finalists must survive a beachside wood-grilling challenge for Red Lobster and create a delicious dinner for a group of culinary elite). Throughout the season, they will also have to prove they have star quality and dazzle a variety of media outlets with their personalities, including Access Hollywood, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Food Network Magazine, and USA Weekend.
Rachael Ray, Giada De Laurentiis, Alton Brown, Guy Fieri, Ina Garten, Emeril Lagasse, Gina and Pat Neely, Masaharu Morimoto, Ted Allen, Tyler Florence, Michael Symon and the season four winner, Aaron McCargo, Jr., will appear throughout the season to help guide the finalists through the challenges. The selection committee comprised of Flay and Food Network executives, Bob Tuschman (Senior Vice President, Programming and Production) and Susie Fogelson (Vice President, Marketing and Brand Strategy), will narrow the field down until the finale. The winner will receive a six-episode show that will premiere in August 2009.
Season 8