FIFTEEN HOPEFULS CAN TASTE THEIR CHANCE AT CULINARY ‘STAR’DOM IN SEASON SEVEN OF ‘FOOD NETWORK STAR’ FOOD NETWORK’S MOST-WATCHED COMPETITION SERIES

Hosted by Bobby Flay and Featuring New Judge Giada de Laurentiis Special Two-Hour Premiere Sunday, June 5th at 9pm ET/PT

Star-Studded Appearances by Alton Brown, ‘Cougar Town’ star Courteney Cox, Paula Deen Guy Fieri, Rachael Ray, Wolfgang Puck and More!

NEW YORK – APRIL 11, 2011 – Food Network’s number one series, Food Network Star returns June 5th at 9PM ET/PT with the most intense tests of talent and exciting guest stars steering the 15 finalists towards the ultimate dream job: his or her own Food Network show. With the drive to follow in the footsteps of their culinary idols, the finalists must first prove they have the charisma and culinary prowess to host/judge Bobby Flay, the judges’ newest addition Giada de Laurentiis and the Food Network executives on the star-making selection committee.

The finalists include: Mary Beth Albright (Washington, D.C.), Justin Balmes (Marietta, Ga.), Whitney Chen (New York), Katy Clark (Long Beach, Calif.), Penny Davidi (Los Angeles), Justin Davis (Minneapolis), Howie Drummond (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Jyll Everman (Glendora, Calif.), Susie Jimenez (Carbondale, Colo.), Juba Kali (New Orleans), Jeff Mauro (Elmwood Park, Ill.), Vic “Vegas” Moea (Las Vegas), Chris Nirschel (Hoboken, N.J.), Orchid Paulmeier (Bluffton, S.C.), and Alicia Sanchez (New York).

Click here to view the complete press release.