Food Network’s number one series, Food Network Star returned in June 2011 for Season 7 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).

With a variety of challenges designed to separate a true star from just another cook in the kitchen, this season’s highlights include creating and advertising a unique food truck under the watchful eye of Tyler Florence, adding fireworks to a meal with MGD 64 for an All-American 4 th of July Food Festival hosted by Guy Fieri, throwing an impromptu dinner party for Wolfgang Puck, having their menus “roasted” by some legendary comedic faces, using Kellogg’s cereals, toaster pastries, and snacks to create an impressive appetizer and competing head-to-head Iron Chef America style in Kitchen Stadium. The finalists also visit the set of ABC’s hit series Cougar Town and create custom meals for cast and crew with special guest stars, Courteney Cox and show creator Bill Lawrence. This star-studded season also features the industry’s biggest stars and culinary authority such as: Alton Brown, Anne Burrell, Scott Conant, Melissa D’Arabian, Paula Deen, Ina Garten, Duff Goldman, Robert Irvine, the Neelys, Rachael Ray and Michael Symon.

The season-long trials and triumphs culminate in the finale on Sunday, August 14 th 9pm ET/PT, where the finalist proven to have the ultimate recipe for success is revealed and films a six-episode Food Network series to premiere in August 2011. Keeps your eyes on Orchid Paulmeier and Whitney Chen as the go after the title of Food Network Star Season 7. Last year, we saw Aarti Sequeira win The Next Food Network Star Season 6.

Orchid Paulmeier

Orchid Paulmeier, 38 (Bluffton, S.C.), a first-generation American from a Filipino background, started her culinary career as an ice cream scooper in high school, and only went up from there. She’s worked as a general manager, head trainer and personal chef and now owns One Hot Mama’s restaurant in Hilton Head Island, S.C. This outspoken mother of three prides herself on her Southern barbecue and is well-known locally for her wings and ribs.

Whitney Chen

Whitney Chen, 28 (New York), a former engineering consultant, quit her job and received a culinary certificate from L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda, Md., and worked her way up the culinary ladder to the line at a Three Michelin Star restaurant in New York City. A serious home cook turned professional chef, Whitney enjoys using the freshest seasonal ingredients in her cooking and believes that anyone can incorporate advanced techniques into making everyday meals that impress. Her father is Chinese and her mother is Swedish.