Superstar Chefs Anne Burrell and Bobby Flay Transform Kitchen-Challenged Contestants in Season Three of Primetime Competition Series Worst Cooks in America

NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Worst Cooks in America, the hit primetime competition series that turns hopeless cooks into confident kitchen mavens, returns for a third season with two-time undefeated series champion Anne Burrell challenged by superstar chef Bobby Flay on Sunday, February 12th at 9pm ET/PT.  The show pits Anne against Bobby, each leading a team of eight "recruits" in a grueling eight-week boot camp designed to transform these culinary disaster-makers into competent cooks.  A $25,000 grand prize will be awarded to the winning contestant who achieves the most progress and best performance, in addition to bragging rights and victory for their culinary mentor.

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"After two undefeated seasons of Worst Cooks in America, I'm ready for a third," said Burrell.  "Going against Bobby Flay takes the challenge to another level, but I'm ready to whip these contestants into shape and the winner is sure to be from Team Burrell."

"Anne may have had some early victories in past seasons, but this show is ready for a change and I'm going to bring it," said Flay. "I'll work my team until they can chop, filet and grill with the best of them." 

In the season premiere, the sixteen "recruits," each nominated by family and friends for their atrocious cooking skills, arrive at Base Camp and attempt to impress Anne and Bobby with their own "signature" dish.  The chefs then make their team picks and for their first challenge, the contestants engage in a high-stakes breakfast battle – with Anne's team attempting Orange Pumpkin Pancakes with Vanilla Whipped Cream and Cinnamon Maple Syrup and Bobby's recruits assigned Bobby's Blue Corn Pancakes with Whipped Orange Honey Butter and Cinnamon Maple Syrup.  But some of these recruits can barely fry an egg, so the chefs go back to basics demoing some simple egg techniques.  The contestant with the least successful dish on each team is sent home, while the remaining fourteen competitors cook on.  Upcoming episodes feature an international cuisine challenge, seafood preparation and cooking for a class of third graders – culminating in the series finale on Sunday, April 8th at 9pm ET/PT, where the two most improved contestants are judged by culinary experts David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson and Susan Feniger and the $25,000 grand prize winner is named.

Full episodes will be available at www.FoodNetwork.com/Worst-Cooks-In-America the day after premiere.  Additional online content includes host and contestant information, "Caption This" photo galleries and cast q&a's.

ABOUT ANNE BURRELL

Anne Burrell has always stood out in the restaurant business for her remarkable culinary talent, bold and creative dishes, and her trademark spiky blond hair. After training at New York's Culinary Institute of America and Italy's Culinary Institute for Foreigners, she gained hands-on experience at notable New York restaurants including Felidia, Savoy, Lumi, and Italian Wine Merchants. Anne has also battled on Food Network's Iron Chef America as Mario Batali's energetic and reliable sous chef.  Additionally, Anne taught for three years at New York's Institute of Culinary Education. She served as Executive Chef at New York hot-spot Centro Vinoteca from its opening in July 2007 through September 2008.  She stars in Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and appeared on The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs on Food Network. Anne's bestselling cookbook "Cook Like A Rock Star" (Clarkson Potter) was released in October, 2011.

ABOUT BOBBY FLAY

Bobby Flay's versatility is evident in the multiple talents he brings to the field as a chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and media personality.  Since debuting on Food Network in 1994, Bobby has continuously hosted programs that bring cooking tips and information on American regional fare to a national audience.  He currently stars on the hit Food Network series Iron Chef America, Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, Grill It! with Bobby Flay and Food Network Star, and Cooking Channel's Brunch @ Bobby's.  He has restaurants around the county, including Mesa Grill (NYC, Las Vegas, Paradise Island); Bar Americain (NYC, Mohegan Sun); Bobby Flay Steak (Atlantic City) and Bobby's Burger Palace (multiple locations).  Bobby is also the bestselling author of ten cookbooks.

Worst Cooks in America is produced by Optomen Productions, Inc.

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 and empowering through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and averages more than 9.9 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine has tripled its rate base and delivers a circulation of 1.3 million. Headquartered in New York, Food Network has a growing international presence with programming in more than 150 countries, including 24 hour networks in Great Britain, India, Asia and Africa. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), which also owns and operates Cooking Channel (www.cookingchanneltv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Great American Country (www.gactv.com), HGTV (www.hgtv.com), and Travel Channel (www.travelchannel.com),  is the manager and general partner.

SOURCE Food Network

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