Food Network Star

Twelve hopefuls arrive in Los Angeles to compete for the ultimate prize: their own show on Food Network.

In the Mentor Challenge, the finalists must create inspiring dishes using leftovers and ingredients that can be found in the average family's fridge, then they use their imaginations to serve a savory dish inspired by dessert.

It's all about keeping up with the latest food trends when the finalists first create and photograph their own version of tiny foods, and then create a five-course meal where each course corresponds to a buzzword.

The finalists are split into teams of three to create and present a cohesive menu to a crowd of hungry families at a Fourth of July cookout. Guest judge Bobby Deen joins Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay to pick a winner.

The finalists pair up to collaborate on a dish that blends their culinary styles, presenting that dish to first-time daters from Match.

Bobby Flay and guest David Alan Grier randomly assign each finalist several criteria for their dishes, which they'll present in a demo for a crowd filled with food and comedy fans.

The finalists create and present a portable version of their favorite brunch dish. Guest judge Richard Blais pairs the finalists into teams, who create a social media promo video for their own food trucks.

The Finalists first create and present a dish that a home cook can prepare in 30 to 45 minutes. Then the finalists cook and film a video for a dish that reflects a holiday through their culinary point of view.

After cooking and demonstrating a dish based on an assigned theme, the finalists cook a dish and host their own segment of a live ensemble show.

The winner of Star Salvation rejoins the competition, and the remaining four finalists each choose a sous chef from the eliminated contestants to help them cook the best dish of their lives.

The final three are joined by the nine eliminated finalists to view their pilots along with Giada De Laurentiis, Bobby Flay, Susie Fogelson and Bob Tuschman.

Chef Alex Guarnaschelli and Jeff Mauro serve up a battleground where one ousted finalist can fight all the way back to rejoin Food Network Star for a second chance at their own show.