WATCH: Star Salvation Episode 1, a Second Chance at Stardom

By: Sarah De Heer
Star Salvation Episode 1
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For the first time in Star history, one eliminated contestant will have a chance to re-enter the competition in a four-week Web series called Star Salvation, presented by Buitoni. Each Sunday night after every Star episode, Robert Irvine, host of Restaurant: Impossible, will test the finalists in a series of culinary skill challenges that will determine whether they stay or go.

In the first episode, fans will see the infamous Danushka, Andres, Daniela and newly eliminated Lovely return to Food Star Kitchen for a rigorous challenge testing their basic culinary skills that they'll have to complete in just 15 minutes. Who will be one step closer to returning to the competition?

Click the play button above to watch the first episode and find out who will advance to next week's episode of Star Salvation.

From Justin's Perspective

This is the best twist in Food Network Star history. Every viewer who has ever watched this show has thought that his or her favorite eliminated contestant deserves another shot. Now it's happening, and I think that when the contestants' backs are to the door, they will push with all their might. Trust me, when there were 15 contestants last year, I was pretty cocky and sure of my odds. When there were six, I was crying in Alton's arms.

Danushka and Robert Irvine

Photo by: Eddy Chen ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Eddy Chen, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Does Danushka deserve to come back? Danushka deserves to be around as long as she's rolling her eyes and sighing. Maybe I'm just a weirdo, but I can't look away when she is on the screen. It has absolutely nothing to do with her former model career — she's just so drastically different from every other sunshine and rainbow cupcake-making wannabe. Her food seems good, too (except for her raw shrimp, see video above). I think she would be a less zany, but equally edgy, counterpart to Nadia G.

Robert Irvine is perfect for this. He's the master mender of broken culinary dreams. He tough-loves people into success, and that's the kick in the pants I think the hopefuls need.

More Star Salvation:

Next Up

From Mistake to Magic: Watch Star Salvation Episode 2

Click the play button above to watch the second episode and find out who will advance to next week's episode of Star Salvation.

Cook Your Heart Out: Watch the Final Episode of Star Salvation

Lovely's got her eye on the prize. She's managed to out-perform five other talented contestants at this point. Will Chad finally put an end to her streak? This week they'll have to cook their "hearts" out.

Revisiting the Humble Spud: Watch Star Salvation 3

Who will be one step closer to returning to the competition? Watch Episode 3 of Star Salvation now.