Culinary superstars Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis are back to mentor and judge ten culinary hopefuls for a shot at stardom in the new season of Food Network Star 2018, on the Food Network this June. The finalists will tasked with challenges that test both their cooking and on-camera skills, as they try to prove to Bobby and Giada they have what it takes to be a star.
Food network Star 2018 Cast
The new season will span over nine episodes with Giada and Bobby will judge the contestants as they perform in front of special guests, starting June 10th.
Food Network Star 2018
Judges: Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis
Special Guests: Sunny Anderson, Richard Blais, Anne Burrell, Fran Drescher, Tyler Florence, Tregaye Fraser, Duff Goldman, Alex Guarnaschelli, Robert Irvine, Loni Love, Damaris Phillips, Jason Smith, Casey Webb, and Molly Yeh
Network: Food Network
Air Date: June 10 2018
Timings: Sundays 9 PM ET/PT
Finalist Contestants
Harrison Bader (Los Angeles, CA); Katie Dixon (Hattiesburg, MS); Jason Goldsmith (New York, NY); Samone Lett (Sanford, FL); Rebekah Lingenfelser (Savannah, GA); Palak Patel (New York, NY); Christian Petroni (Port Chester, NY); Jessica Tom (Princeton, NJ); Chris Valdes (Miami, FL); Manny Washington (Orlando, FL). The returning Comeback Kitchen alumni battling it out to join the new season are: Trace Barnett (season 13); Adam Gertler (season 4); Debbie Lee (season 5); Yaku Moton-Spruill (season 12); Sarah Penrod (season 10); Amy Pottinger (season 13); Monterey Salka (season 12); and Jernard Wells (season 12)
Food Network Star 2018 Format
In the season premiere on June 10th, the ten Food Network Star 2018 finalists are greeted by Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay at Universal Orlando Resort’s Volcano Bay to kick off the competition. But first they are in for a surprise, as the finalists learn the results of Food Network Star: Comeback Kitchen and who will be joining the competition.
As the competition kicks off, each finalist must make a portable version of their signature dish as they go head-to-head against each other, trying to convince park guests to try their unique creations. The heat is on and it’s not just the volcano, as Bobby and Giada decide who will be the first sent home.
Over the course of the season Bobby and Giada are joined by special guests as they pull out all the stops to see which of these finalists have what it takes to excel, both in the kitchen and in front of the camera.
Whether it is hosting their own live show with Ree Drummond in attendance, or putting their judging skills to the test to impress People Magazine editor-in-chief Jess Cagle, these culinary novices have their work cut out for them on Food Network Star 2018 TV Show.
Food Network Star 2018 Episode Guide
Can’t wait to find out what’s in store for you and the contestant? Take a peek inside with this Food Network Star 2018 episode guide.
Episode 2 – “Destination Videos”
The remaining finalists enter the popular world of podcasting as they team up to create culinary podcasts about colorful snacks. Bobby and Giada are joined by guest judge Richard Blais to decide whose voices painted the prettiest picture. The finalists are then split up into two teams for field reports from LA’s hottest new food hall, as these destination videos are screened and critiqued by Bobby, Giada and Food Network Star alum and co-host of Southern & Hungry, Damaris Phillips, to determine which competitor is eliminated.
Episode 3 – “Summer Bite Bash”
The remaining finalists think they’re cooking solo at an exclusive private event for foodies and tastemakers. But enroute to their destination, Bobby and Giada call to reveal a twist – they will be cooking and presenting in teams. When the finalists arrive, each team opens the trunk of their vehicle to discover their event theme, ingredients, and décor. Each team must put on an internationally inspired party and a team demo for the crowd, which includes Bobby, Giada, and guest judge Tyler Florence, with one finalist eliminated at the end of the day.
Episode 4 – “Panic on the Panel”
It’s the halfway point in the competition, so for the first challenge the finalists are judged on the progress they have made so far. But the tables are turned when the competitors find out they must judge…themselves. In the second challenge, People Magazine editor-in-chief Jess Cagle splits the finalists into two teams, as the two panels of finalists must judge and evaluate Bobby and Giada’s dishes. What the finalists don’t know is that the bottom two on each panel will compete in a sudden death cook-off! The two finalists who cannot cut it will be sent packing.
Episode 5 – “Take This Title and Run with It”
With the field narrowed to just six finalists, the group goes Hollywood for their first challenge as they must whip up dishes inspired by characters from the new movie Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. Special guest Fran Drescher, who voices Eunice in the movie, joins Bobby and Giada at the judging table to see which finalists accomplish their task. Then it’s back to business when the finalists are asked to give their take on some new Food Network titles: Ooey Gooey, Cheat Eats and Stacked Snacks. Two finalists each take on a title and are judged head-to-head in an intimidating boardroom setting, led by Bobby and Giada, and guest judges Loni Love and Iron Chef Alex Guarneschelli. In the end, one finalist’s shot at stardom will be finished.
Episode 6 – “Shark Night Dinner”
In the first challenge the remaining finalists are asked to update their family favorites with a culinary twist, along with having to film an Instagram story to convey the process while they cook. Popular food blogger Molly Yeh pops in to help Bobby and Giada decide which competitors shine. The finalists then head to the aquarium to cater a five-course VIP dinner in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Shark Night. Each course is inspired by an ingredient in a different shark’s diet, with the finalists having to impress Man vs. Food’s Casey Webb, who helps Bobby and Giada decide which finalist will be eliminated.
Episode 7 – “Can You Host an Icon?”
Now that it’s down to the final four, it’s time to see if they can handle the rigors of live television. Each finalist must make a “share-worthy” dish live on Food Network’s Facebook page; but their demo’s relatability is put to the test when it turns out that special guest Anne Burrell will be the on-camera talent, performing the livestreams that each finalist prepared. The finalists’ job is to produce Anne throughout by giving her guidance through a wireless earpiece. The pressure continues to escalate when the competitors host their own ‘in the kitchen’ show, while having to impress a special guest who is very familiar with the format – Food Network’s very own Ree Drummond! Bobby and Giada must decide which finalists handle these pressure-packed challenges best for a spot in the final three.
Episode 8 – “Who Gets a Pilot?”
The final three finalists become four again, when a previously eliminated competitor re-enters the competition having won Star Salvation on FoodNetwork.com. With the help of eliminated finalists to serve as sous chefs, the final four must cook for their lives to determine which three will get a chance to shoot their own pilot. Former Food Network Star winners Tregaye Fraser and Jason Smith help determine which three finalists will move on to shoot pilots directed by Food Network’s Sunny Anderson, Duff Goldman and Robert Irvine.
Episode 9 – “The Newest Star”
The pilots are in and Bobby and Giada determine the fates of the final three finalists. Watch what happens behind the scenes and find out who will join the Food Network family and become a Food Network Star!
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