The 'Worst Cooks in America' Invade Food Network - Again!

NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Sixteen of the country's most hopeless cooks attempt to transform from kitchen zeros into kitchen heroes as they compete in a grueling culinary boot camp on season two of Food Network's primetime reality series, Worst Cooks in America. With a season one victory under her belt, Chef Anne Burrell (Secrets of a Restaurant Chef) returns to lead the red team to repeat success, but one obstacle stands in the way: Chef Robert Irvine (Dinner: Impossible) brings his unparalleled expertise in conquering culinary obstacles to the competition as the show's new co-host determined to overthrow Anne's reign with a blue team win.

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The eight-week competition premieres Sunday, January 2nd at 9pm ET/PT as the "recruits" – nominated by family and friends for their abysmal cooking skills – are split into two teams chosen by the opposing chef. In each one-hour episode, the recruits put to use the techniques they learn from their chefs in two high-pressure tests: a Skill Drill and a Main Dish Challenge. The worst cook from each team is eliminated at the end of the episode based on performance and progress. In the season finale on Sunday, February 20th at 9pm ET/PT, the final two recruits must prepare a three-course, restaurant-quality meal for a panel of culinary experts (Donatella Arpaia, Marc Murphy and Drew Nieporent). On the line are the chefs' professional reputations and $25,000 for the newly-crowned kitchen hero.

"Worst Cooks in America merged high-stakes competition with high comedy and became an instant viewer favorite in season one as evident by its place as the highest-rated series premiere in network history," said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Programming & Production. "Having two of the toughest chefs on television – Anne Burrell and Robert Irvine – face off against each other this year raises the competition to a new level."

ABOUT ANNE BURRELL:

As the host of Food Network's Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Anne Burrell takes the mystery and apprehension out of the professional kitchen and highlights the practical techniques necessary to make restaurant-quality meals at home. She 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 some of New York's most notable restaurants including Felidia, Savoy, Lumi, Italian Wine Merchants, and Centro Vinoteca. She taught for three years at New York's Institute of Culinary Education and has battled on Food Network's Iron Chef America as Mario Batali's reliable sous chef.

ABOUT ROBERT IRVINE:

As host of Food Network's Dinner Impossible, Robert Irvine uses his expert skills to deliver delicious meals in hopes of conquering what most would deem impossible culinary tasks. Born in England, Robert began cooking at age 15 when he joined the Royal Navy. As part of his service, he worked on board the Royal Yacht Britannia where the Royal Family and their entourages regularly dined. In addition, Robert participated in a guest chef program allowing him to cook at the White House. In his 25-year career, he has had the opportunity to serve 6,000 servicemen and women on a U.S. aircraft carrier and plan the menu for a star-studded Academy Awards after-party. Robert has two cookbooks: "Mission: Cook!" (Harper Collins, 2007) and "Impossible to Easy" (Harper Collins, 2010).

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 99 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 1.25 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 HGTV (www.hgtv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Great American Country (www.gactv.com) and Cooking Channel (www.cookingchanneltv.com), is the manager and general partner.

SOURCE Food Network

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