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Food Network Star Season 7 Finalists

Food Network’s number one series, Food Network Star returns June 5 with a set brand new hopeful contestants. Returning to host and judge season seven is chef Bobby Flay, along with judges Bob Tuschman, General Manager of Food Network and Susie Fogelson, SVP of Marketing for Food Network. This year, Giada De Laurentiis will also be making the move from mentor to judge.

Meet the 15 finalists : 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).

The season will make its premier in Los Angeles, where their challenge is staged at Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the city’s Original Farmer’s Market. According to LATimes Daily Dish, “Finalists will also visit the set of ABC’s hit series ‘Cougar Town’ and create custom meals for cast and crew, including Courteney Cox [...] and there will be stop-ins with the likes of such network celeb chefs like Anne Burrell, Paula Deen, and Rachael Ray.”

For casting videos, behind-the-scenes interviews and more, visit FoodNetwork.com/Star.  While you’re there, cast your pre-season predictions in the Fan Forecast Vote.