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"Watching the Worst Cooks in America struggle to become great cooks, makes a show that is very funny, dramatic and moving," said Bob Tuschman, Senior Vice President, Programming and Production, Food Network. "Ultimately, it offers hope for even the most kitchen-challenged of our viewers."

Under the tutelage of Chef Anne and Chef Beau, the recruits are split into two teams. They learn valuable culinary skills from their team leaders, which are then tested in a series of high-pressure challenges. Based on their performances, the recruits will be narrowed down each week until two are left standing to face the final challenge: prepare a three-course, restaurant-quality meal for a panel of food critics that thinks the dishes have been prepared by chefs Anne and Beau. On the line are the chefs' professional reputations and $25,000 for the newly-crowned kitchen hero.

Alexandra Guarnaschelli, professional chef, working mom and passionate home cook, invites viewers to share her down-to-earth recipes in Alex's Day Off . Alex shows how cooking her personal and playful style of American, French and Italian fare can be elegant and approachable, with a side of sass. Viewers will enjoy mouth-watering dishes like Mussels on the Grill; Roasted Pork Loin with Brussels Sprouts, Shallots and Garlic; Bibb, Radish and Grape Salad with Bacon Dressing; and Homemade Doughnuts with Cinnamon Sugar and Hot Blueberry Jam.

Not surprising for the daughter of an esteemed cookbook editor, Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli spent her childhood surrounded by food. After graduating from Barnard College in 1991, Guarnaschelli began working under acclaimed American chef, Larry Forgione. Encouraged by Forgione, Guarnaschelli moved to France to study at La Varenne Culinary School in Burgundy. After school, she began a four year stint at the Michelin three-star restaurant Guy Savoy and was promoted to sous chef at La Butte Chaillot, another Savoy establishment. After seven successful years in France, Guarnaschelli returned stateside, joining the venerable Daniel Boulud at restaurant Daniel, to become sous chef at the Manhattan standard. Guarnaschelli moved to Los Angeles for two years and worked at the acclaimed Patina restaurant in West Hollywood. In 2003, Guarnaschelli become the executive chef at Butter Restaurant in New York, where she creates an eclectic American and green market-inspired menu. Chef Guarnaschelli has previously appeared on Food Network as both a challenger and a judge on the hit series Iron Chef America and as the host of The Cooking Loft. She is now a reoccurring judge on the popular primetime series, Chopped.

This September, Chopped presents a special four-week event featuring previous episode winners who are returning to compete again. This time, previously victorious chefs risk becoming first-time losers as they take on new challengers. For the winner of each episode, the prize is $10,000 and the chance to compete again for more prize money in a battle against three new chopped champions.

Each month, Food Network gets the competitive juices flowing with Food Network Challenge bringing viewers the biggest and most exciting food battles from around the world. With bragging rights and a $10,000 cash prize on the line, the Challenges are intense.

Every week at Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, it's a new deadline and new situation. Ace of Cakes shadows Duff Goldman and his eclectic staff of culinary experts, artists and architects as they bake, construct and frost the most elaborate and unconventional cake creations imaginable.

Kitchen Stadium once again opens its doors in hopes of finding a new culinary warrior in the sizzling primetime series The Next Iron Chef. Hosted by Alton Brown (Good Eats, Iron Chef America), the reality competition will challenge ten top chefs from around the country in a series of demanding situations that test their culinary skills and mental toughness.

"It's thrilling to see what these ten top chefs can create when pushed to their limits in this series," said Bob Tuschman, Senior Vice President, Programming and Production for Food Network. "These world class chefs display extraordinary culinary skills and creativity as they battle it out for the supreme title of Iron Chef."

The ten contestants include: Nate Appleman (Chef/Butcher, New York, NY), Dominique Crenn (Chef de Cuisine, Luce at InterContinental San Francisco, San Francisco, CA), Brad Farmerie (Executive Chef, Double Crown, Madam Geneva, PUBLIC and The Monday Room, New York, NY), Amanda Freitag (Executive Chef, The Harrison, New York, NY), Jose Garces (Executive Chef & Owner, Amada, Tinto, Distrito, Chifa, Philadelphia, PA), Eric Greenspan (Executive Chef & Owner, The Foundry on Melrose, Los Angeles, CA), Jehangir Mehta (Executive Chef & Owner, Graffiti, New York, NY), Seamus Mullen (Executive Chef & Partner, Boqueria Flatiron and Boqueria Soho, New York, NY), Holly Smith (Chef & Owner, Cafe Juanita and Poco Carretto Gelato, Kirkland, WA) and Roberto Treviño (Executive Chef & Owner, Budatai, San Juan, PR).

This season, the contestants will travel from Los Angeles to Japan to New York to compete in the food fight of their professional lives. They will be challenged to create dishes that represent a variety of world cultures and cuisines. Whether working with exotic ingredients like jelly fish, creating their own version of international "fast food" or experiencing umami with sponsor Kikkoman, the chefs must demonstrate their speed, artistry, innovation and leadership in each dish. With assistance from the judges - Donatella Arpaia (restaurateur and owner of acclaimed New York City restaurants davidburke&donatella and Anthos), Jeffrey Steingarten (Food Critic, Vogue, New York, NY) and Anya Fernald (Sustainable Food Consultant, San Francisco, CA) - the contestants will be narrowed down until two remain to battle it out in Kitchen Stadium and earn the title of Iron Chef. The winner will join the ranks of Mario Batali, Cat Cora, Bobby Flay, Masaharu Morimoto and Michael Symon and be launched into instant fame as a member of the Chairman's team on Iron Chef America.

The Next Iron Chef Season 2 Premiere Review
By Rebekah Miller

The Next Iron Chef certainly stands out from the other reality cooking competitions because it is much more intense. This show is not just searching for another good cook, it is searching for the best chefs in the country. Throughout the competition the contenders face time constraints, tough judges and work with challenging foods.

The contestants this season have a wide variety of cooking styles and backgrounds from Latin American cuisine to Italian inspired dishes. Their differences allow them to produce some very unique dishes that are very much their own, but may also cause them to butt heads. On the premiere episode the contenders had the chance to judge each other and it was not hard to see that Nate Appleman is going to be the one to cause some tension among the chefs. He is out spoken and is not worried about offending anyone when he critiques their dishes, but when it is his dish that is being judged he is not at all receptive of any negative feedback.

The Next Iron Chef contestants are always racing against the clock in the kitchen which adds quite a lot of stress to their food preparation. However the supplies in the iron chef kitchen seem to only add to their stress. I would think that they would be given top notch kitchen supplies to use, but this does not seem to be the case. On the first episode one contestant broke two different appliances and another had to change his dish due to an unreliable ice cream machine. Perhaps these faulty devices were put there on purpose to make the competition even more challenging. As if having to prepare meals using some of the most unappetizing ingredients such as stinky tofu and chicken feet was not difficult enough.

This season of The Next Iron Chef will surely have a lot in store due to the dynamic range of the contestants and the always escalating challenges.

Episode 7: Premiering Sunday, November 15th at 9pm ET/PT
The final three chefs undergo a test of Integrity, and how they can honor both personal integrity and integrity of ingredients. At the most famous fish market in the world, Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market, the chefs race to gather ingredients to prepare their version of the most revered and traditional Japanese meal known as kaiseki. This kaiseki meal is filtered through each chef's unique culinary personality. This traditional Japanese cooking style consists of an elaborately choreographed tasting menu with extreme attention focused on the beauty of each plate and the seasonality of the ingredients. One chef is eliminated, and the last two standing prepare for the final battle in Kitchen Stadium.

Episode 8: Premiering Sunday, November 22nd at 9pm ET/PT - SEASON FINALE!
The remaining two chefs walk into the hallowed halls of Kitchen Stadium to complete their final test: Imagination. With the Chairman looking on and host Alton Brown (Iron Chef America) commentating from the side, the two finalists compete in a head-to-head battle. Using everything they have learned, they must take the secret ingredient and create a five course meal that reflects the melting pot that is the American culinary experience. One of the chefs will then be selected as the winner and become the new Iron Chef!

After nine weeks of grueling competition, the title of Next Food Network Star was given to stay-at-home mom and home cook Melissa d'Arabian (PCM interview) during the hit reality show's season five finale. Melissa beat out Jeffrey Saad of Los Angeles to win the ultimate prize in television: her own Food Network show, Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian.

"Week by week, Melissa proved she had the makings of a true food star," said Bob Tuschman, Senior Vice President, Programming and Production, Food Network. "Her expert technique brought sophisticated flavors and ideas to home cooking, and her bright, warm, and down-to-earth personality made her a viewer favorite. We're thrilled to share her wealth of ideas for making easy, delicious, and inexpensive meals."

Melissa will show viewers how to incorporate creative and tasty meals into their budgets by sharing her favorite recipes. She will share money and time saving tips as she keeps her $10 promise in every episode: four people, ten bucks, infinite possibilities. From approachable Parisian and Moroccan menus to sophisticated upgrades for everyday chicken and pork, Melissa's delicious budget-friendly meals demonstrate home cooking at its finest.

As a wife and a stay-at-home mother to her four preschool-aged daughters, Melissa pairs her varied culinary and life experiences to provide food lifestyle tips for today's families. Due to her mother's schooling and career, Melissa moved around as a child living in Tucson, Ariz., San Diego, and Bethesda, Md. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science at The University of Vermont in 1990 and went on to earn her MBA at Georgetown University in 1993 before launching a successful career in business consulting and finance. She stopped working during her twin pregnancy in 2007. Melissa has a passion for volunteering, her Christian faith and living her life with meaning and purpose. She and her family recently relocated from Keller, Texas to Kirkland, Wash.

Along with enduring countless culinary challenges, the finalists also had to impress notable Food Network stars including Rachael Ray, Giada De Laurentiis, Alton Brown, Guy Fieri, Ina Garten, Emeril Lagasse, Gina and Pat Neely, Masaharu Morimoto, Ted Allen, Tyler Florence, Michael Symon and the show's season four winner, Aaron McCargo, Jr. Melissa and Jeffrey competed against eight other hopefuls: Brett August, Katie Cavuto, Teddy Folkman, Eddie Gilbert, Jen Isham, Debbie Lee, Jamika Pessoa, and Michael Proietti.

The Next Food Network Star is television's toughest food fight where 10 hopeful chefs compete to win thier own Food Network show. This season the show is filled with stars including Iron Chef Bobby Flay who leads the selection committee. One lucky person will become a Food Network celebrity.

Through various challenges finalists must prove their culinary skills and star potential. During each episode the contestants cooking skills will be tested to see who can create the most delicious food under pressure. This season the contestants will have to cater a party for Food Network stars, impress the "Barefoot Contessa," and prepare meals for returning soldiers. They will also fly to Miami to compete in a beachside wood-grilling challenge for Red Lobster and create a dinner for a group of elite culinary chefs at a movie screening. The contestants will also have to prove their star potential by showing their personalities to media outlets such as, Access Hollywood, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Food Network Magazine and USA Weekend.

Babyboomers, along with the younger generations and new owners are making Diners, Drive-ins and Dives popular again. Travel to all the classic "greasy spoon" with Guy Fieri.See all the places to eat from a roadside shack in Tarpley, Texas to a Las Vegas sports bar with stellar stromboli.

In 5 Ingredient Fix, Claire Robinson proves that delicious dishes need no more than five ingredients With her straightforward cooking style she makes cooking easier, faster and downright irresistible. She brings out the flavors of carefully-selected, fresh ingredients allowing each ingredient to shine through. With eclectic and elegant menus perfect for every occasion, Claire shows viewers how to prepare Lamb Chops with Mint Almond Pesto for a "Mediterranean Grill," Sea Scallops with Saffron Aioli for a "Sunset Al Fresco," Smooth White Grape Gazpacho for a "No-Cook Dinner," and Ginger Poached Salmon with Lime Basil Cream when "Dinner's in the Fridge."

Good Eats combines pop culture, comedy, and plain good eating. Host Alton Brown explores the origins of ingredients, decodes culinary customs and presents food and equipment trends. He will serve you food at it's finest with a side of funny. Brown keeps things iteresting with unusual interludes, simple preparations and unconventional discussions.

About Alton Brown:
Alton Brown's flair in the kitchen was developed early alongside his mother and grandmother. He skillfully used later "as a way to get dates" in college. Switching gears as an adult, Alton spent a decade working as a cinematographer and video director, but realized he spent all his time between shoots watching cooking shows which he found to be dull and uninformative. He knew he could do better, Alton left the film business and moved to Vermont to train at the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vt. Soon after, Alton tapped all of his training to create Good Eats, a smart and entertaining food show that blends wit with wisdom, history with pop culture and science with common cooking sense. Alton writes and produces the shows and also stars in each offbeat episode.

Alton Brown's first book, I'm Just Here for the Food (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2002) won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Cookbook in the Reference category, was one of the bestselling cookbooks of 2002 and has sold over 300,000 copies to date. It was also chosen by Amazon.com as one of the top 50 books of 2002 by both editors and readers.

Alton's third book, on baking, I'm Just Here for More Food, hit bookstores in November 2004 and has since gone on to become a New York Times bestseller.

On Feasting On Asphalt, Alton had only his motorcycle, a few buddies and the clothes on his back during a nostalgic trip across the country to rediscover the disappearing people, places and stories of great American road food. In 2008, Alton traveled the Carribean in search of America's culinary roots and Caribbean flavors in Feasting On Waves.

Good Eats Contest

Are you a huge fan of Good Eats? If so, Food Network wants to hear from you! Enter today for a chance to meet Alton Brown and be part of the Good Eats 10th Anniversary Special shooting Saturday, August 29.

To enter, upload a photo or 1 minute video that expresses how much of a Good Eats fan you truly are! Do you look like Alton? Show us a picture! Want to do a tribute to Good Eats? Show us what you've got! The idea is to be creative.

We will be choosing six lucky participants to join Alton in Atlanta for the anniversary taping. Start uploading!

Also, tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.

Enter Here!

Sucessful chefs Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez face off against two local foodies in a winner-takes-all race through fascinating, unusual food locations in different cities each week. The teams are led to their food challenges by clues that they are given. They face challenges such as wine stomping, eating the spiciest chilli west of the Mississippi, and diving for sea urchins. There are five challenges that take the chefs on a fast paced food-lovers tour of each city. After each tour is complete the contestants sprint to the finish line to see if the locals still own the city or if the Food Network chefs have conquered it.

About Chris Cosentino:
Chris Cosentino has an affinity for great ingredients and has emerged as a thoughtful voice for sustainable principles and as a leading proponent of offal cookery. He graduated from Johnson & Wales and went on to build his culinary resume by working at several notable restaurants all over the country before joining Incanto as executive chef in 2002. His innovative interpretations of rustic Italian fare promptly earned the restaurant its first 3-star review from the San Francisco Chronicle. In addition to Chefs vs. City, other recent Food Network appearances include The Next Iron Chef, Iron Chef America and The Best Thing I Ever Ate. Chris resides in San Francisco and serves as the executive chef of Incanto and co-creator of Boccalone, an artisanal salumeria.

About Aarón Sánchez:
Aarón Sánchez is one of the countries leading contemporary Latin Chefs as well as a restaurateur, television personality, consultant, spokesperson and author. His Food Network career began when he started co-hosting Melting Pot and introduced a national audience to his interpretations of classic Latino cuisine. In 2005, Aarón was named one of People Magazine's and People En Espanol's 50 Most Beautiful People and was nominated as the "Rising Star Chef of the Year" by the James Beard Foundation. In addition to Chefs vs. City, other recent Food Network appearances include The Next Iron Chef, Iron Chef America, Chopped and The Best Thing I Ever Ate. Aarón resides in New York City where he owns and works as the executive chef of restaurants Paladar and Centrico.

Secrets of a Restaurant Chef allows you to have a window into your favorite restaurant and see the concise, easy-to-master techniques of a top-level chef. By showcasing professional secrets to preparing food that is creative and full of flavor,-- yet never frou-frou or scary, Anne Burrell translates your favorite restaurant foods into amazing at-home meals. Anne has years of restaurant experience mixed with a pumped-up passion, and helps to take the mystery out of the professional kitchen and gets you making meals that are special enough for guests, but easy enough for a rushed weekday evening.

The Food Network's Sandra Lee who is known for her semi-homemade cooking style, stars in a new daytime cooking series, Sandra's Money Saving Meals. The meals produced on the show are based on Sandra's new "triple A factor" which ensures that meals are accessable, affordable, and aspirational. Sandra's Money Saving Meals will feature crucial content that will help save American consumers 39-50 percent on every grocery bill. To maximize cost-saving success, Sandra shares unique ideas for savvy supermarket shopping and proper pantry purchases while highlighting each recipe's unbeatable price per serving cost. In every fiscally-fit episode, Sandra prepares two mouth-watering main course meals and two additional budget-wise "Round 2 Recipes" - one on the show and another exclusively on www.foodnetwork.com.

Sandra's Money Saving Meals shares with viewers a side of the popular TV host that has never been seen before. Sandra holds the unique position of drawing from two opposite positions: her financially-challenged childhood during which she shopped and cooked for her four siblings on limited state assisted funds along with her professional culinary training, to create a one-of-a-kind resource for home cooks everywhere. "The show's content is intended to be a brilliant blend of Suze Orman meets Julia Child," says Sandra.

Food Network had high ratings in June - scoring its highest-rated week (June 22, 2009), month (June 2009) and tying for its highest-rated quarter (second quarter 2009), among adults and women ages 25-54. The fifth season of The Next Food Network Star was the leader behind these high ratings, the network garnered a .5 among adults 25-54 for the week of June 22, a .5 for the month of June (up 11% over prior records, March/April 2009), and .5 for the quarter, tying first quarter 2009 (510,000 impressions). In households for the quarter, the network posted a record .8 rating, up three percent over the previous record (first quarter 2009).

The Next Food Network Star: Episode 3 drove home the primetime ratings on Sunday, June 21 securing a 1.2 adults 25-54 rating, up an amazing 27 percent over episode four of season four (1.0 adults 25-54 rating at 10pm on 6/22/08). The episode contributed a 1.8 household rating and averaged nearly 2.6 million persons 2+ viewers, up 39 percent over episode four of last season (1.8 million persons 2+ impressions).

The Next Food Network Star: Season 5 is on pace to be Food Network's most-watched series ever, posting a 1.1 adults 25-54 rating through the first four episodes, 16 percent higher than last year's pace which ended as the network's best series performance ever. The series has been watched by an average of 2.4 million persons 2+ viewers, a 33 percent increase over last year's four episode average.