Actress Ali Larter, Food Network Star contestant Arnold Myint and chef Chris Santos are on the judging panel and are ready to put these junior chefs to the test! The first round has boar and is anything but boring when plans fall apart for one of the competitors in the final seconds. A delectable fish and some colorful tubers are two of the must-use entree ingredients, then a taco theme in the dessert basket promotes a lot of creativity.
Bobby Flay and guest, Ralph "Sonny" Aloisio tackle Jumbo Shrimp "head on" with two tasty recipes on the grill. Sonny serves up his Citrus-Marinated Grilled Jumbo Shrimp while Bobby whips up his own version of a classic with Grilled Shrimp Scampi. Plus, a one-of-a-kind Cheesy Polenta With Wild Mushrooms, Grilled Zucchini Salads and crispy, crunchy Crostinis with Grilled Scallions, Tomato and Mascarpone. And someone is mixing up a refreshing summer drink that is the "star" of the show!
Guy Fieri and his son Hunter invite three of Flavortown Market's winningest chefs to prepare restaurant-quality dinners at home using GGG Delivery boxes of the market's finest foods, plus a scale to weigh the mere 7 pounds of ingredients they can actually use. Then the GGG champs must make a modern 5-star dinner that features high-priced and bargain-basement flavor combinations. The chef with the highest combined score after two rounds gets to spin for up to $20,000!
The final four arrive in NYC! Alton Brown meets them at Food Star's version of "Kitchen Stadium" to explain that the finalists will compete in a real Iron Chef America battle! The challenge is two-pronged: one pair will battle in the kitchen head to head, while the other pair will act as commentators for the battle, try to outdo each other's knowledge and camera presence. The Selection Committee and guest Iron Chefs Michael Symon, Cat Cora, and Morimoto will judge.
Southern native Michiel Perry is the founder of lifestyle brand Black Southern Belle (BSB), the leading source highlighting African American women with a Southern connection. With a bit of inspiration, while planning her wedding in Charleston and decorating her first home in Maryland, Michiel was inspired to cultivate a gathering place for inspiration on Southern travel, African American culture, home decoration, entertaining, and life’s milestones. BSB expresses her passion for all things “Southern Bred and Soul Infused.” Michiel enjoys life in her historic home in Walterboro, South Carolina, with her husband and two children.
Two-time Golden Globe Award-winning actress Valerie Bertinelli first became a household name for her role as Barbara on CBS' long-running series One Day at a Time. Over the years, her career has expanded to include television personality, spokeswoman and New York Times best-selling author of One Dish at a Time and Losing It, Finding It: And Satisfying My Hunger for Life Without Opening the Fridge. Bertinelli has also helped develop, produce and star in several television movies and miniseries. In August 2012, Bertinelli received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She recently starred as Melanie Moretti in TV Land's critically acclaimed sitcom Hot in Cleveland. Her cookbook, Valerie's Home Cooking, was released in the fall of 2017.