Food Network Star

In a special two hour premiere episode of The Next Food Network Star, twelve hopefuls arrive in Los Angeles to compete for the ultimate dream job: To host their own show on The Food Network. The competition starts right away as they face their first on-camera test: preparing a meal that best represents who they are. Next, the finalists are taken to Paramount Studios where an A-list Hollywood Director films 30-second promos for the show that each finalist wants to host. Finally, the finalists must each create a Power Lunch for LAs biggest celebrity Chef, Wolfgang Puck.

Ten remaining finalists get a crash course in the Hollywood way of life. First they have to present a dish to camera, inspired by a classic film genre. Next they strut the red carpet at an after-party for Grammy Award-winner Colbie Caillat. The twist: They also have to cater the event in teams of two.

In a super-sized episode, the remaining eight finalists have to create their very own food product in a jar. The twist: instead of presenting the product to camera, they must do a live demo in front of a crowd of hundreds. Then, special guest Paula Deen reveals four lunch trucks, and challenges the finalists (in teams of two) to create and operate their very own lunch-truck business at Venice Beach.

A busy home cook herself, last years winner, Melissa DArabian, drops by to task the finalists to relate to the busy home cook by making "dinner with breakfast" using cereal. Then they must relate to hardcore foodies when they team together to create an underground supper club, the members of which count among the culinary elite. Camera Challenge: Make Dinner with Breakfast Star Challenge: Work as a Team to Open Your Own Supper Club

The four remaining finalists travel back to Food Networks New York City home for their hardest challenge to date, an Iron Chef America competition.

Ten "Food Network Star" hopefuls are greeted by Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay to kick off the competition; each finalist must create a portable version of their signature dish.

The remaining finalists think they’re cooking solo at an exclusive private event for foodies and tastemakers, but en route to their destination, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay reveal a twist — they’ll be cooking and presenting in teams. When they arrive, each team discovers their event theme, ingredients and decor in the trunk of their vehicle. They must pull together an international-themed party and team demo for the crowd, which includes Bobby, Giada and guest judge Tyler Florence, with one finalist eliminated at the end of the day.

The six finalists whip up dishes inspired by characters from the movie "Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation"; special guest Fran Drescher, who voices the character Eunice in the film, joins Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay at the judging table.

The competition is down to the final four, and it’s time to see if the finalists can handle the rigors of live television. Each finalist must make a “share-worthy” dish live on Food Network’s Facebook page, and their demo is put to the test when special guest Anne Burrell is revealed as the on-camera talent. The finalists have to act as producers, guiding Anne through the demo using a wireless earpiece. The pressure continues to escalate when each finalist hosts their own live “in the kitchen” show with a special guest who’s familiar with the format … Food Network’s Ree Drummond! Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay decide which finalists best handle these pressure-packed challenges and earn a spot in the final three.

The pilots are in, and Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay determine the fates of the three finalists. Watch what happens behind the scenes and find out who will join the Food Network family and become a Food Network Star!