Worst Cooks in America, Season 27: Meet the Recruits

Co-Hosts Anne Burrell and Tiffany Derry are excited to kick off Season 27 with 16 new culinary-disasters looking to learn from the top chefs in hopes of improving their cooking skills.

Ebie is a pop singer who is used to living a rockstar lifestyle. As daughter of the legendary rapper Eazy-E, she grew up eating in five-star restaurants. She realizes the amount of money she spends on takeout is outrageous – so she is ready to learn to cook for herself and stop relying on restaurants and her mother for good food.

Joel is sassy, fun-loving and the ultimate mama’s boy who can’t cook - his mom makes his favorite dishes every day, so he never has to lift a finger. Not only a goober in the kitchen, he has also played the classic television character Goober Pyle on-screen and travels to pop culture conventions around the country in that role. He knows it’s time to stop relying on mom’s cooking and learn some culinary skills.

Dr. Avi works hard for his money as an investment banker and has earned his jet-setting lifestyle of multiple homes, expensive cars and dining in fine restaurants. He is also a single dad who has no kitchen knowledge, and recently his seven-year-old son became interested in cooking. He will do anything for his kid and is hoping to bring home the culinary skills to make wholesome meals and memories with his son.

Growing up in Russia with her chef mother, Elena never had to cook – and now she’s married to a chef, so she still doesn’t have to. She is a teacher who speaks multiple languages, plays piano and has published a book, but has no talent in the kitchen. She hopes to gain enough skills in boot camp to invite friends over for a dinner party – where she is doing the cooking!

Frankie has never had to take care of himself – his partner, mom, sister and assistant do everything for him. Growing up in his Italian family, he was spoiled by his nonna who cooked and cleaned every day. He is a former Mr. Canada who was in the Mr. World competition and blew the judges away with his singing talent. Frankie now runs a successful public speaking academy and knows it’s finally time to become independent in the kitchen.

Leona is on her fourth husband – and he spoils her rotten. She leads a glamorous life of dining out, fancy cocktails and cosmetic procedures. A hot mess in the kitchen, she knows it would make her husband happy if she picked up some culinary skills. Leona needs to up her cooking ability now, so she never has to search for husband number five!

Erika may be a terrible cook, but she is a great makeup artist and stylist. She sparkles everywhere but the kitchen, where she is more concerned with breaking a nail or burning her hair than making a decent meal. Her takeout bills are insane, and she’d rather spend her money on bling, so she is determined to improve her culinary skills.

Originally from Oklahoma, Steve is a magician and one of his perks is free meals from the venues he performs at. When not on the road, his wife makes him a home-cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. While he can crack an egg with one hand, that’s where his culinary skills end – will boot camp make him a showman in the kitchen?

After a long day at work, the ladies in Costa’s life cater to him at home – he relaxes as his wife, mother and mother-in-law cook for him. He doesn’t eat vegetables but now that he is a new grandfather, Costa wants to change his ways and find a way to incorporate healthy ingredients into his lifestyle. Food is important in his Mexican-Greek heritage, but he has no idea what it takes to put a meal on the table – until now.

Carrington calls herself a "stay-at-home-daughter" whose NFL coach turned restaurateur father gives her whatever she wants. She lives a champagne lifestyle but realizes it’s time for her three-year old daughter to have meals at home rather than at grandpa’s restaurant. Carrington wants to learn how to make homemade healthy dishes for her family and transform from spoiled princess to queen of the kitchen.

Cathy is a pink-haired dance teacher who marches to the beat of her own drum. She spoils herself by constantly ordering takeout and wants to change that. Her mom made all her meals while she was growing up and Cathy’s lack of kitchen knowledge carried into adulthood. Her energy can be a bit chaotic, but she is ready to focus and change her life at boot camp.

Stacey has a graduate degree, but can’t figure out how to make a meal by herself. She cares for others in her career in mental health, but at home her husband and family cater to her every need. She doesn’t cook, clean or do laundry – but knows it’s time to start making a change and gain some culinary skills in boot camp.

Micaela is a star athlete by trade who played pro softball, but she is far from a star in the kitchen. Watching her try to pronounce ingredients is almost as funny as watching her cook with them. Luckily for Micaela her wife is a good cook – but she knows it’s time to embrace adulthood and trade her softball glove for a spatula.

Jesse grew up in a rockstar lifestyle as daughter of the late singer-songwriter Eddie Money. On the road with her family, she became accustomed to five-star hotels and fancy restaurants. Now a music artist herself, she loves to be on stage and wants to learn to perform in the kitchen. Her dad loved food and Jesse wants to honor him by recreating some of his favorite dishes.

Chelsko grew up in Malibu with parents who indulged her every wish, including fancy dinners, vacations in Italy and designer clothes. Now that she has moved out of state, she has to fend for herself everywhere – including the kitchen. Her only go-to dish is salad, and she knows she needs boot camp to add to her cooking repertoire.