Out of countless applicants who vied for a chance at stardom, only 12 worthy contenders were selected to begin the journey of their lives on June 7 (at 9|8c), when they'll report for the ultimate job interview on Food Network Star. Each hopeful comes to the competition with a specialized background; from catering and private chefdom to restaurant experience, they spoke of their culinary backgrounds, their passions both in and out of the kitchen, and their readiness for the prime-time spotlight in  all-new casing videos.

Click here to watch these just-released videos to get a glimpse of the contestants and learn all about their personal and professional backgrounds, then check out exclusive interviews with each person for even more fun facts and insider trivia.

Don't miss the premiere of Food Network Star on Sunday, June 7 at 9|8c.