In a special two hour premiere episode of The Next Food Network Star, twelve hopefuls arrive in Los Angeles to compete for the ultimate dream job: To host their own show on The Food Network. The competition starts right away as they face their first on-camera test: preparing a meal that best represents who they are. Next, the finalists are taken to Paramount Studios where an A-list Hollywood Director films 30-second promos for the show that each finalist wants to host. Finally, the finalists must each create a Power Lunch for LA's biggest celebrity Chef, Wolfgang Puck.

• Alton Brown
• Paula Deen
• Bobby Flay