WATCH: Emotional Family Reunions for the Final Four

Just when the final-four rivals — Ana, Damiano, Jernard and Tregaye — expected it least, members of their families shocked them by walking into the kitchen during the Mentor Challenge.
Food Network Star

Finalist Jernard Wells during the Mentor Challenge, Every Day is a Food Holiday, as seen on Food Network Star, Season 12.

Photo by: Patrick Wymore ©2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Patrick Wymore, 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Emotional Family Reunions
Loading Video...

Remember the unexpected twists that came in Week 4's hotel challenge when VIP guests Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Hannah Hart made special meal requests? Or the shock in Week 5 when Robert Irvine stole 10 minutes from the finalists' prep time? Or the curve ball in Week 7 when competitors had to use frozen ingredients for a baking challenge? All of these unforeseen obstacles were ultimately learning moments for the Food Network Star finalists, but that doesn't mean they were any less tricky (or frustrating) to contend with. On Sunday night's new episode, mentors Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis once again gave the contestants a game-changing surprise, but this one was far happier and more welcome than the others.

Just when the final-four rivals — Ana, Damiano, Jernard and Tregaye — expected it least, members of their families shocked them by walking into the kitchen during the Mentor Challenge, ready to be their guests for the live stream challenge. Tears, laughs, big hugs and downright disbelief abounded when the contestants saw their surprise guests — for Ana, her daughter; for Damiano, his brother; for Jernard, his wife; and for Tregaye, her husband — and realized what was going on. It had been a whopping 10 weeks since the competitors had seen their families, so it was no surprise that emotions were running high on set.

Click the play button on the video above to watch the reunions unfold, and browse these photos to see more top moments from the episode.

Related Reading:
Tune in to Food Network Star on Sunday at 9|8c.

Next Up

Star Snacks: Viewing Party Treats From the Final Four

In preparation for viewing parties across the country, Martie, Yvan, Michele and Justin each created an original snack recipe especially for their fans.

Watch Episode 4 of Star Salvation

Get caught up on the latest installment of Star Salvation.

Caption It: Final Feedback

Caption this sneak-peek photo of Bobby Flay on Food Network Star, then tune in to a brand-new episode on Sunday, August 3 at 9|8c.

WATCH: Jernard Gets Uncivilized

Relive Jernard's wow-worthy performances.

WATCH: Rob Cramps Damiano's Style

Sous Chef Rob turned into more of a burden than a blessing for Damiano as the duo worked to execute Damiano's elegant dessert on Food Network Star.

WATCH: Martita Makes an Entrance

See what happened when the winner of Comeback Kitchen shocked her fellow Food Network Star finalists with her unexpected entrance.