"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
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.
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.
Orchid Paulmeier, Jeff Mauro and Juba Kali Food Network Star 2011 Jeff Mauro and Juba Kali Food Network Star 2011 Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson and Jess Cagle Food Network Star 2011 Alton Brown, Hal Rubenstein and Jess Cagle Food Network Star 2011 Food Network Star 2011 judges Food Network Star 2011 kitchen Food Network Star 2011 Pictures
SEE ALL "FOOD NETWORK STAR" PICTURES (142)
Got Food Network Star spoilers? What did you think of the last show?