Food Network Star returns for its eighth season with star-studded challenges, brand-new format and a fresh cast of hopefuls on Sunday, May 13 at 9 PM.
That’s right! Food Network’s long-running hit primetime series Food Network Star returns to New York City this May with fifteen talented hopefuls and completely new twists for season eight – this year, returning stars Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis move from behind the judge’s table to square off with culinary favorite Alton Brown for a three-way team competition to find the next Food Network Star, beginning with a special two-hour premiere episode. But that’s only the beginning of the changes to come!
Taking things to a whole new level this time around, Bobby, Giada and Alton, all television producers in addition to being culinary superstars, lead the charge to find and develop the new talent by each hand-selecting a team of five finalists, who they will produce and mentor through the ‘Star’ experience to find one winner who possesses personality and kitchen chops.
Viewers can also glance into the ‘Star’ finalist selection process, with a casting special airing on May 12th and in another turn to the series plot, viewers will vote online before the July 22nd finale to determine who will receive the ultimate prize: their own Food Network show, to be produced by their ‘Star’ team leader. Yes, the viewers will finally be able to voice their opinions and have a say in who really is their next Food Network Star! It’s sure to be an unprecedented season finale.
But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves! In the premiere episode, the fifteen hopefuls arrive in the Food Network Star kitchen in New York City to meet Bobby, Giada and Alton – the culinary superstars who hand-selected them to compete on their teams. After meeting with their team leader, special guest Robert Irvine challenges the teams to their first “Star Challenge” – to create their own pop-up restaurant from the ground up, with an extremely limited budget and very little time.
Returning judges Food Network executives Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson decide who stays and goes, along with a roster of guest judges scheduled to join. So what other familiar faces will we get to see this season? Between the challenges and the various judges, we’ll see some of our Food Network favorites including: Alex Guarnaschelli, Scott Conant, Marc Murphy, Ted Allen, Guy Fieri, Paula Deen, Sunny Anderson, Anne Burrell, Melissa d’Arabian, Jeff Mauro, Aarón Sanchez and Geoffrey Zakarian!
Phew, it hasn’t even begun and it’s already promising to be a season to remember! So be sure to catch the season premiere and stay connected with www.foodnetwork.com/star all season long so that when it comes time to choose the winner, you’ll be sure to know who your vote will go to!
Season Premiere of Food Network Star airs Sunday, May 13, at 9/8c on Food Network.
