Food Network Star Returns With New Cast Of Hopefuls Competing For Culinary Greatness

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"This season's talented competitors have put everything on the line and left everything they have known behind to follow their dreams, hoping to earn a spot in the rarified world of food television," said Courtney White, Executive Vice President, Programming, Food Network and HGTV. "Guided by Bobby and Giada, viewers will be amazed and inspired to see how the finalists develop, not only in the kitchen but in front of the camera, as they transform into what they hope will be the next Food Network Star."

On the May 27^th premiere of Food Network Star: Comeback Kitchen, eight former finalists are back to show they have grown from their previous time in the spotlight. Valerie Bertinelli and Tyler Florence welcome the competitors back and challenge them with reinventing a TV dinner, while showing they've overcome the flaws of their past. The alumni must then marry two unlikely favorites and show off their creations in a well-executed, one-minute demo. One competitor is not up to par and eliminated from the competition. Over the course of the three episodes, Valerie and Tyler put the competitors through their paces to determine who will return as a Food Network Star finalist.

In the season premiere on June 10^th, the ten Food Network Star finalists are greeted by Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay at Universal Orlando Resort's Volcano Bay to kick off the competition. But first they are in for a surprise, as the finalists learn the results of Food Network Star: Comeback Kitchen and who will be joining the competition. As the competition kicks off, each finalist must make a portable version of their signature dish as they go head-to-head against each other, trying to convince park guests to try their unique creations. The heat is on and it's not just the volcano, as Bobby and Giada decide who will be the first sent home. Over the course of the season Bobby and Giada are joined by special guests as they pull out all the stops to see which of these finalists have what it takes to excel, both in the kitchen and in front of the camera. Whether it is hosting their own live show with Ree Drummond in attendance, or putting their judging skills to the test to impress People Magazine editor-in-chief Jess Cagle, these culinary novices have their work cut out for them. Other special guests joining the action this season include: Sunny Anderson, Richard Blais, Anne Burrell, Fran Drescher, Tyler Florence, Tregaye Fraser, Duff Goldman, Alex Guarnaschelli, Robert Irvine, Loni Love, Damaris Phillips, Jason Smith, Casey Webb, and Molly Yeh.

The finalists this season are: Harrison Bader (Los Angeles, CA); Katie Dixon (Hattiesburg, MS); Jason Goldsmith (New York, NY); Samone Lett (Sanford, FL); Rebekah Lingenfelser (Savannah, GA); Palak Patel (New York, NY); Christian Petroni (Port Chester, NY); Jessica Tom (Princeton, NJ); Chris Valdes (Miami, FL); Manny Washington (Orlando, FL). The returning Comeback Kitchen alumni battling it out to join the new season are: Trace Barnett (season 13); Adam Gertler (season 4); Debbie Lee (season 5); Yaku Moton-Spruill (season 12); Sarah Penrod (season 10); Amy Pottinger (season 13); Monterey Salka (season 12); and Jernard Wells (season 12).

Exclusive web series Star Salvation returns on Sunday, July 1^st and goes live just after Star's east coast airing. Available on FoodNetwork.com/Salvation and hosted by Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, this culinary contest gives one eliminated finalist a chance to re-enter the competition, which will be introduced on Food Network Star on Sunday, July 29^th.

Volkswagen also marks its return as a sponsor this season, featured in exciting and organic integrations that help fuel contestants' creativity and versatility on their road to stardom.

For more information on the new season of Food Network Star and to meet the finalists, go to FoodNetwork.com/Star. Don't miss behind-the scenes content all season long, including photos and videos from each week's challenges, plus find out more about the mentors and judges in exclusive interviews. Tell us who you think deserves to be the next star on Twitter with the hashtag #FoodNetworkStar.

FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers' best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to nearly 100 million U.S. households and draws over 46 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine's rate base has grown 13 times and is the No. 2 best-selling monthly magazine on the newsstand, with 13.5 million readers. Food Network is owned by Discovery, Inc., a global leader in real life entertainment whose portfolio also includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, TLC, Investigation Discovery, and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

SOURCE Food Network

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