The Next Food Network Star

Have you ever thought you could host your own show? Food Network tests that belief in this competition that focuses on both cooking proficiency and camera skills.

Season nine resets, in a way, to season six. The finalist head count is back down to twelve. Alton Brown, Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis return as mentors, but back from behind the committee table. They will not run teams head-to-head this year. Each day's challenges, however, now number three, up from two. A new Mentor Challenge, a newly positioned Star Challenge, and a first ever Elimination Challenge. Continuing from last season is the viewer-voted winner, and brand new to this season are focus groups made up of Food Network fans and the chance for one eliminated chef to come back in the finale. Through it all the finalists must always demonstrate the overarching theme of this competition: excellence in the kitchen, ability to share their points of view, and an on-camera that will enthrall fans and newbies alike. Join the fun as the brightest stars from the network and select special guest stars coach these hopefuls toward their dream.

The winner is awarded his or her own Food Network show produced by the team leader, and a feature in Food Network Magazine. Produced by CBS Eye Too Productions.


Broadcast History:

• Season One – Eight Finalists (one team of two); Hosted by Marc Summers; Committee: Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson, and Gordon Elliott; Aired at 9:00 pm E/P.

• Season Two – Eight Finalists; Hosted by Marc Summers; Committee: Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson, and Bobby Flay; Aired at 9:00 pm E/P.

• Season Three – 11 finalists; Hosted by a Different Food Network Personality Each Week; Committee: Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson, and Each Week's Host; Aired at 9:00 pm E/P.

• Season Four – 10 finalists; Hosted by Bobby Flay; Committee: Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson, and Bobby Flay; Aired at 10:00 PM E/P.

• Season Five – 10 finalists; Hosted by Bobby Flay; Committee: Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson, and Bobby Flay; Aired at 9:00 PM E/P.

• Season Six – 12 finalists; Hosted by Bobby Flay; Finalists Mentored by Giada; Committee: Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson, and Bobby Flay; Aired at 9:00 PM E/P.

• Season Seven – As Food Network Star – 15 finalists; Hosted by Bobby Flay; Committee: Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson, Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis; Aired at 9:00 PM E/P.

• Season Eight – As Food Network Star – 15 finalists; Mentors: Alton Brown, Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis; Committee: Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelman; Aired at 9:00 PM E/P. (Note: For reasons never fully explained by the network, this season's winner parted ways with their mentor and had the previously guaranteed six-episode show shrunk to a one-hour special.)