Caption It: First Impressions Are Everything

We're challenging you, Food Network Star fans, to write your best captions for this premiere moment.
Food Network Star

Guest Judges Tyler Florence, Valerie Bertinelli and Hosts Giada de Laurentiis and Bobby Flay during evaluations, as seen on Food Network Star, Season 12.

Photo by: Eddy Chen ©2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Eddy Chen, 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

While the Food Network Star competition is 11 weeks long, finalists have but one single opportunity to make a positive first impression on Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis. Recently both mentors told us the importance of these initial meetings, as Giada explained: "That first day, that first impression, we keep going back to. And sometimes it saves you and pushes you through."  Bobby said, "I don’t think you ever forget the first impression of somebody," though he was quick to note that there's room to grow later if need be. "I’m very open in terms of making people evolve," he added.

Come Sunday, competitors will be forced to not only introduce themselves and relay their culinary points of view, but they'll also be cooking for the mentors — and a crowd of fans — which means the judges will be observing their on-camera and culinary chops for the first time. A lot of pressure? You bet.

Take a peek at the photo above. Bobby, Giada and guest judges Valerie Bertinelli and Tyler Florence are watching the finalists' videos, and it appears that each person is having a different reaction to what's unfolding. From stone-face stares to a hearty smile and a look of pure shock, the panel is simply taking it all in. What do you think is going down, and which finalist do you think has the potential to leave the best first impression?

Before you tune in on  Sunday at 9|8c to get all the dish, we're challenging you, Star fans, to write your best captions (tastefully appropriate, please) for this premiere moment in the comments below.

Tune in to the premiere of Food Network Star on Sunday at 9|8c.

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