Food Network Star - Wikipedia Food Network Star For the most recent season of the series, see Food Network Star ( season 14 ). This article needs to be updated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. ( June 2015 ) Food Network Star Genre Food reality television Judges Marc Summers, Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, Alton Brown Country of origin United States No. of seasons 14 No. of episodes 75 Production Production location ( s ) New York, New York Burbank, California Running time 40 -- 120 minutes Production company ( s ) CBS EYEtoo Productions ( Seasons 1 - 8 ) Triage Entertainment ( Seasons 9 - present ) Release Original network Food Network Original release June 5, 2005 ( 2005 - 06 - 05 ) -- present Chronology Related shows Party Line with The Hearty Boys Guy 's Big Bite Diners, Drive - Ins and Dives Ultimate Recipe Showdown Guy Off the Hook The Gourmet Next Door Big Daddy 's House Will Work for Food Ten Dollar Dinners Kid in a Candy Store Kelsey 's Essentials Aarti Party Outrageous Food United Tastes of America Sandwich King $24 in 24 Southern at Heart BBQ Blitz Kitchen Sink External links Website Food Network Star is a reality television series that premiered June 5, 2005. It was produced by CBS EYEtoo Productions for seasons 1 -- 8 and by Triage Entertainment for subsequent seasons. It airs on the Food Network in the United States. Prior to season seven, the series was known as The Next Food Network Star. Contents 1 Season one 1.1 Summary 1.2 Contestants 2 Season two 2.1 Summary 2.2 Contestants 3 Season three 3.1 Summary 3.2 Contestants 4 Season four 4.1 Summary 4.2 Contestants 5 Season five 5.1 Summary 5.2 Contestants 6 Season six 6.1 Summary 6.2 Contestants 7 Season seven 7.1 Summary 7.2 Contestants 8 Season eight 8.1 Summary 8.2 Coaches 8.3 Contestants 9 Season nine 9.1 Summary 9.2 Contestants 10 Season ten 10.1 Contestants 11 Season eleven 11.1 Contestants 12 Season twelve 12.1 Contestants 13 Season thirteen 13.1 Contestants 14 Season fourteen 14.1 Contestants 15 Notes 16 References 17 External links Season one Summary This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( May 2014 ) The first season of The Next Food Network Star series was taped in February 2005, and was composed of five episodes in June 2005. Chicago area caterers Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh emerged as the winners, and went on to host a show called Party Line with Dan & Steve, now titled Party Line with The Hearty Boys, which premiered on September 18, 2005. The runner - up, Deborah Fewell, was chosen to host a special on food at beaches, Surf N Turf, which aired in June 2006. Michael Thomas was the recurring chef on The Tyra Banks Show. Susannah Locketti made an appearance on The Tony Danza Show, and is also an on - air chef for Publix grocery stores in the southern United States. Contestants Name Age Hometown Place Dan Smith & Steve McDonagh 42 and 40 Bellmore, NY and Wayne, NJ Winners Deborah Fewell 32 Los Angeles Runner - up Hans Rueffert 32 Jasper, GA 3rd Susannah Locketti 33 Plymouth, MA 4th Eric Warren 52 Los Angeles 5th Michael Thomas 36 Venice, CA 6th Harmony Marceau 30 New York City, NY 7th Brook Harlan 24 Columbia, MO 8th Season two Summary This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( June 2014 ) The second season of The Next Food Network Star series was taped in December 2005 and began airing in March 2006. Guy Fieri was announced as the winner on April 23, 2006, beating Reggie Southerland. Fieri has achieved considerable success at Food Network since his victory, and is still regularly on air as of July 2018. Guy 's Big Bite premiered in June 2006 and was picked up for a second season in 2008 and remains in production. Originally intended as a one - hour special, Fieri 's second series, Diners, Drive - Ins and Dives, premiered April 23, 2007. He went on to the series, Ultimate Recipe Showdown, premiering February 17, 2008, and Guy Off The Hook on September 14, 2008. He has also started a new successful show called Guy 's Grocery Games. Fourth - place contestant Nathan Lyon began hosting his own series, A Lyon In the Kitchen, on the Discovery Health Channel in March 2007. Contestants Name Age Hometown Culinary P.O.V. Eliminated Guy Fieri 38 Ferndale, CA `` Off the Hook '' California Cuisine Winner Reggie Southerland 39 Los Angeles Modern Soul Food Runner - up Carissa Seward 33 San Diego, CA Simple Food for Entertaining Week 6 Nathan Lyon 35 Los Angeles Healthy and Seasonal Food Week 5 Andrew Schumacher 26 Brooklyn, NY Cooking Techniques Week 4 Evette Rodriguez 35 Port St. Lucie, FL Latin Cuisine Week 3 Elizabeth Raynor 32 Sausalito, CA Simple Mediterranean Cuisine Week 2 Jess Dang 24 Menlo Park, CA Asian Cuisine Week 1 Season three Summary The third season began on June 3, 2007, and the winner was announced on Sunday, July 22. In season 3, judges sent 1 or 2 contestants home weekly. Once the field was down to 2 final contestants, the viewers picked the winner. Marc Summers ( host of the first 2 seasons ) only returned for this season 's finale. Bobby Flay would host subsequent season finales. During the season, the contestants lived in a shared house in New York City. The contestants ' challenges included cooking concession food for an NBA game ( with guest Darryl Dawkins ) to a mini version of Food Network 's Iron Chef America ( with guest judges Bobby Flay and Cat Cora ). The Selection Committee consisted of Food Network executives Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson along with one guest. Guest judges included Alton Brown, Giada De Laurentiis, Duff Goldman, season two winner Guy Fieri, and Robert Irvine. Paula Deen and Rachael Ray participated in contestant challenges, and Bobby Flay also played a role in the guidance and selection process. Amy Finley was chosen by America as The Next Food Network Star on July 22, 2007. Her new show The Gourmet Next Door premiered on October 14, 2007 and ran for six episodes. Finley later declined to continue with the series, citing relocation to France for family reasons. Contestants Name Age Hometown Occupation Eliminated Amy Finley 33 San Diego, CA Stay - at - Home Mom Winner Rory Schepisi 31 Vega, TX Restaurateur Runner - Up Joshua Adam `` JAG '' Garcia 25 Havelock, NC Chef - de-Cuisine Withdrew Paul McCullough 36 Los Angeles Caterer Week 6 Adrien Sharp 29 Jackson, MI Local Cooking Show Host Week 5 Michael Salmon 53 Brooklyn, NY Director of Operations for Macy 's Week 4 Tommy Grella, Jr. 34 Methuen, MA Self - Taught Chef Week 3 Colombe Jacobsen - Derstine 29 New York, NY Former Child Actress Week 3 Nikki Shaw 38 Oakland, CA Caterer Week 2 Patrick Rolfe 33 Seattle, WA Chef Week 1 Vivien Cunha 40 Hermosa Beach, CA Caterer Week 1 ^ Note 1 : Amy Finley was eliminated Week 7, and the original finalists were Rory Schepisi and Joshua `` JAG '' Garcia. After the final elimination episode was aired, evidence came to light that JAG had lied about both his culinary training and his military service, representing both as more extensive than they actually were. Food Network allowed him to withdraw from the competition and reinstated Amy Finley, who was voted The Next Food Network Star. Season four Main article : The Next Food Network Star ( season 4 ) Summary Season four of The Next Food Network Star premiered on Sunday, June 1, 2008. Food Network executives Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson are joined by Bobby Flay as the selection committee for this season. Each new episode aired on Sundays at 10 : 00 PM EDT. For this season, the viewers no longer received the chance to vote for the winner ; producers instead made the final decision. This led to an error by FoodNetwork.com, which briefly posted the winning moment video on their website three days before the finale aired. The winner for the fourth season was Aaron McCargo Jr. His winning show idea, Big Daddy 's House, first aired August 3, 2008. Finalist Adam Gertler was hired to host a Food Network show called Will Work for Food, which debuted on January 19, 2009 and was cancelled after one season. He hosted the Food Network show Kid in a Candy Store, which aired two seasons. Kelsey Nixon co-hosted a web show on food2.com ( a Food Network sister site aka Cooking Channel ) and also appeared in the premiere of Chefs vs. City in 2009. In 2010, Gertler and Nixon became co-hosts of The Next Food Network Star After Party, a half - hour recap / interview show following that night 's episode of Star, on Cooking Channel. Nixon stars in Kelsey 's Essentials, a program on kitchen and cooking basics for The Cooking Channel that ran November, 2010 - 2013. Contestants Name Age Hometown Occupation Eliminated Aaron McCargo Jr. 36 Camden, NJ Chef Winner Adam Gertler 30 Philadelphia, PA Food Server Runner - Up Lisa Garza 32 Dallas, TX Restaurateur / Designer Runner - Up Kelsey Nixon 23 North Ogden, UT Assistant Culinary Director Week 7 Shane Lyons 20 Colorado Springs, CO Private Chef and actor Week 6 Jennifer Cochrane 32 Woonsocket, RI Chef Week 5 Nipa Bhatt 35 Victoria, MN Marketing Manager Week 4 Jeffrey Vaden 43 White Plains, NY Food Service Management Week 3 Kevin Roberts 39 San Diego, CA Radio Talk Show Host / Restaurant Owner / Author Week 2 Cory Kahaney 45 New York, NY Stand - up Comedian Week 1 Season five Main article : The Next Food Network Star ( season 5 ) Summary Season five of The Next Food Network Star premiered on June 7, 2009. Food Network executives Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson were joined by Bobby Flay as the Selection Committee for this season, which was filmed early 2009 in New York, New York and Miami, Florida. Melissa D'Arabian was declared the winner on August 2, 2009 with the title for her show being Ten Dollar Dinners. Her show premiered on August 9, 2009. ( 1 ) On August 17, 2009, Food Network announced Jeffrey Saad would return in a series of online videos based on his pilot, now called `` The Spice Smuggler. '' The program premiered with four 4 - 1 / 2 minute videos featuring one spice and a recipe incorporating it. Saad was named the national representative for the American Egg Board. In November, 2010, Saad debuted in a new show for The Cooking Channel titled United Tastes of America, which explores multiple aspects of traditional American food. Finalist Debbie Lee has carried her `` Seoul to Soul '' concept to the streets of L.A., opening a lunch truck, Ahn - Joo, featuring a range of Korean food. Contestants Name Age Hometown Occupation Culinary P.O.V. Eliminated Melissa d'Arabian 40 Keller, TX Stay - At - Home Mom `` Kitchen Survival Guide '' Winner Jeffrey Saad 42 Los Angeles, California Restaurateur / Food Consultant / Recipe Developer / Chef `` Ingredient Smuggler '' Runner - Up Debbie Lee 39 West Hollywood, California Restaurant Consultant `` From Seoul to Soul '' Week 8 Jamika Pessoa 30 Atlanta, Georgia Personal Chef / Businesswoman Caribbean Cuisine Week 7 Michael Proietti 28 City Island, NY Executive Chef `` Global A Go - Go '' Week 6 Katie Cavuto 30 Philadelphia, PA Personal Chef & Dietician Healthy and Green Cuisine Week 5 Teddy Folkman 33 Alexandria, VA Restaurant Owner / Executive Chef `` Gourmet Bar Food '' Week 4 Eddie Gilbert 30 Los Angeles Apprentice Chef `` Modernized Traditional Food '' Week 3 Brett August 33 New York, New York Executive Sous Chef Italian - American Cuisine Week 2 Jen Isham 30 Orlando, FL Sales Manager `` Housewife 2.0 '' Week 1 Season six Main article : The Next Food Network Star ( season 6 ) Summary The sixth season of the series premiered on Sunday, June 6, 2010. Food Network executives Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson were again joined by Bobby Flay as judges ; in addition, Giada De Laurentiis served as an on - set mentor. On July 17, 2010, a post-competition recap and discussion show premiered on The Cooking Channel. Shows were filmed in Los Angeles, California and New York, New York. On August 15, 2010, Aarti Sequeira was declared the winner, and her new show Aarti Party premiered on Sunday, August 22, 2010 and features American style cuisine with unique Indian flair. Season 2 of Aarti Party premiered that December. The Food Network also signed runner - up Tom Pizzica to host a new show called Outrageous Food, which premiered in November 2010. The last new episodes of Aarti Party aired in mid-2013. Contestants Name Age Hometown Occupation Culinary P.O.V. Eliminated Aarti Sequeira 31 Los Angeles, California Food Blogger `` Aarti Paarti '' Winner Herb Mesa 41 Atlanta, Georgia Personal Trainer / Personal Chef `` Cooking Con Sabor '' Runner - Up Tom Pizzica 32 San Francisco, CA Unemployed Chef `` Big Chef '' Runner - Up Aria Kagan 30 Hollywood, FL Private Chef `` Family Style '' Week 9 Brad Sorenson 25 Austin, Texas Professional Chef `` Pro '' / `` Culinary Quest '' Week 8 Serena Palumbo 31 New York, New York Attorney `` Serena 's Trattoria '' Week 7 Brianna Jenkins 30 Atlanta, Georgia Caterer `` Sexy and Fabulous Flavors '' Week 6 Paul Young 32 Chicago, IL Waiter `` Blue - Collar Dollar '' Week 5 Darrell `` DAS '' Smith 28 Los Angeles High School Culinary Teacher `` Food is the Life of the Party '' Week 4 Dzintra Dzenis 44 Austin, TX Private Cooking Instructor Week 3 Doreen Fang 38 Los Angeles Caterer / Cooking Instructor `` Simply Complex '' Week 2 Alexis Hernandez 40 Clarksville, IN Part - time food Writer Week 1 Season seven Main article : Food Network Star ( season 7 ) Summary For the seventh season, the reality television series was renamed, after the first episode, Food Network Star, dropping the word `` Next ''. It premiered Sunday, June 5, 2011. Food Network executives Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson were joined again by Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis as the judges for this season. The series was filmed in Los Angeles, California and New York, New York. Season seven winner Jeff Mauro 's show `` Sandwich King '' premiered on Sunday, August 21, 2011. In spring 2013, Jeff hosted $24 in 24, a show in which he went to several cities and ate an entire day 's worth of meals on 24 dollars. Contestants Name Age Hometown Occupation Culinary P.O.V. Eliminated Jeff Mauro 32 Chicago, IL Corporate Chef `` Sandwich King '' Winner Susie Jimenez 31 Carbondale, CO Catering Company Owner `` Spice It Up '' Runner - Up Vic `` Vegas '' Moea 36 Brooklyn, NY Executive Chef `` Mama 's Boy '' Week 11 Mary Beth Albright 38 Washington, DC Food Writer and Blogger `` Sunday Supper '' Week 10 Whitney Chen 28 New York, NY Chef `` Four Star Flair '' Week 9 Jyll Everman 31 Glendora, CA Caterer `` Jyllicious Bites '' Week 8 Penny Davidi 39 Los Angeles Restaurant Owner `` Stilettos in the Kitchen '' / `` Middle Eastern Mama '' Week 7 Chris Nirschel 28 Hoboken, NJ Sous Chef `` On the Line '' Week 7 Orchid Paulmeier 38 Bluffton, SC Restaurant Owner `` Asian Persuasion '' Week 6 Justin Davis 31 Minneapolis, MN Food Blogger `` The Flavor Factory '' Week 5 Justin Balmes 32 Marietta, GA Fishmonger / Butcher `` Kitchen Workshop '' Week 4 Alicia Sanchez 33 New York, NY Young Adult Culinary Teacher `` Alicia 's Guilty Pleasures '' Week 3 Katy Clark 34 Long Beach, CA Food and Fitness Company Operator `` Simply Fabulous '' Week 2 Juba Kali 29 New Orleans, LA Research Chef `` Cuisine Made Simply '' Week 2 Howie Drummond 40 Highlands Ranch, CO Radio Host `` Basic and Delicious '' Week 1 Season eight Main article : Food Network Star ( season 8 ) Summary Season 8 started May 13, 2012. For season 8, the format changed, with the contestants divided into three five - member teams, each coached by a Food Network host, either Bobby Flay, Alton Brown, or Giada De Laurentiis. Coaches worked with the teams as they prepared for and completed their tasks. The winner 's coach would also be the producer of the winner 's show. Each week, a winning team was selected, and one member of the teams that did not win was up for elimination in a new feature called Producers ' Challenge. Each challenge was hosted by current Food Network personalities. The final winner was decided by an audience vote cast on foodnetwork.com between July 15 -- 17, 2012 and the winner was announced on July 22, 2012. The winner was Justin Warner, who hosted a one - hour special on The Food Network, but did not have a series produced. He has become a blogger on foodnetwork.com, makes appearances at Food Network events, and is an active Twitter presence. Coaches Alton Brown -- host of Good Eats, Iron Chef America, The Next Iron Chef, and Cutthroat Kitchen. Bobby Flay -- host of Grill It ! with Bobby Flay, Throwdown ! with Bobby Flay. Co-host of season 3 of Worst Cooks in America and Iron Chef on Iron Chef America Giada De Laurentiis -- host of Everyday Italian, Giada at Home and Giada in Italy. Contestants Name Age Hometown Occupation Culinary P.O.V. Team Eliminated Justin Warner 27 Brooklyn, NY Chef and Restaurant Owner `` Rebel with a Culinary Cause '' Team Alton Winner Michele Ragussis 42 Brooklyn, NY Executive Chef `` My New England '' Team Bobby Runner - Up Yvan Lemoine 30 New York City Bartender and Cook for the French Consulate `` Family Style '' Team Giada Runner - Up Martie Duncan 50 Birmingham, AL Blogger and Party Planner `` Martie with the Party '' Team Alton Runner - Up Philip `` Ippy '' Aiona 23 Kamuela, HI Executive Chef `` Voyage to Paradise '' Team Giada Week 10 Nikki Martin 31 West Hollywood, CA Private Chef, Food and Beverage Consultant `` The Grill Next Door '' Team Bobby Week 10 Martita Jara 35 San Diego, CA Self - Taught Chef `` Martita 's Mesa '' Team Giada Week 9 Malcolm Mitchell 41 Washington, DC Private Chef `` Simple and Soulful '' Team Bobby Week 8 Emily Ellyn 29 Orlando, FL College Student `` Cooking Retro Rad '' Team Alton Week 7 Linkie Marais 28 North Attleborough, MA Cake Baker `` Dessert Queen '' Team Giada Week 6 Judson Allen 30 Chicago, IL Catering Company Owner `` Weight Loss Journey '' Team Alton Week 5 Eric Lee 44 Petaluma, CA Winery Executive Chef `` Handcrafted in Wine Country '' Team Bobby Week 4 Josh Lyons 42 Jupiter, FL Restaurant Consultant and Sushi Chef `` Wok and Roll '' Team Giada Week 3 Kara Sigle 31 Chicago, IL Catering Company Owner `` Nostalgic Cooking with a Twist '' Team Bobby Week 2 Cristie Schoen 35 New Orleans, LA Caterer `` Healthy and Delicious '' Team Alton Week 1 Season Nine Main article : Food Network Star ( season 9 ) Summary Season 9 started on June 2, 2013. For season 9, Alton Brown, Bobby Flay, and Giada De Laurentiis mentored and judged twelve Food Network Star competitors, although the contestants were not divided into teams as in season 8. Many of this season 's contestants had previously appeared on other Food Network shows. The winner was Damaris Phillips, decided by an audience vote cast on foodnetwork.com and announced live on August 11, 2013. Contestants Name Age Hometown Occupation Culinary P.O.V. Eliminated Damaris Phillips 31 Louisville, KY Culinary Teacher `` Modern Southern Food '' Winner Rodney Henry 47 Baltimore, MD Pie Shop Owner `` Pie Style '' Runner - up Russell Jackson 49 San Francisco, CA Underground Chef `` Seven Culinary Sins '' Runner - up Stacey Poon - Kinney 34 San Diego, CA Restaurant Owner `` Vintage with a Modern Twist '' Week 10 Nikki Dinki 29 New York, NY Food Blogger / Online Host `` Semi-Vegetarian '' / `` Meat on the Side '' Week 9 Connie `` Lovely '' Jackson 27 Los Angeles Caterer `` Party on a Plate '' Week 4 & Week 8 ( Winner of Star Salvation ) Chad Rosenthal 37 Ambler, PA Restaurant Owner `` Jewish BBQ Guy '' Week 7 Chris Hodgson 26 Cleveland, OH Chef / Restaurateur `` Compassion for Food '' Week 6 Viet Pham 33 Salt Lake City, UT Chef / Restaurant Owner `` The American Dream '' Week 5 Danushka Lysek 37 New York, NY Private Chef / Model `` Your Private Chef '' Week 3 Andres Guillama 26 Waynesville, NC Childhood Obesity Prevention Coach `` Teaching Men to Cook '' Week 2 Daniela Perez - Reyes 28 Haleiwa, HI Bartender / Caterer `` Peruvian Princess '' Week 1 Season ten Main article : Food Network Star ( season 10 ) The winner was Lenny McNab, decided by an audience vote cast on foodnetwork.com and announced live on August 10, 2014. It is the last season to date where the finale aired live -- all subsequent season finales would be filmed months in advance prior to airing. Contestants Name Age Hometown Occupation Culinary P.O.V. Eliminated Lenny McNab 42 De Beque, CO Executive Chef Gourmet Cowboy Winner Luca Della Casa 38 San Antonio, TX ( Originally from Turin, Italy ) Restaurateur Luca 's Feast Episode 2 ( Winner of Star Salvation ) Runner - up Nicole Gaffney 29 Atlantic City, New Jersey Private Chef Coastal Cuisine Runner - up Sarah Penrod 30 League City, TX Private Chef Devoted to Date Night / Texas Cuisine Episode 10 Loreal Gavin 26 Indianapolis, IN Butcher Butcher Babe Episode 9 Emma Frisch 30 Ithaca, NY Farmer Farm - to - Table Episode 8 Chris Kyler 32 Stafford, VA Caterer elevating classics Episode 7 Reuben Ruiz 27 Miami, FL Restaurant Owner Flavors of Miami Episode 6 Christopher Lynch 39 New Orleans, LA Executive Chef New Orleans Inspired Episode 5 Aryen Moore - Alston 31 Memphis, TN Home Cook International Cuisine Made Easy Episode 4 Kenny Lao 36 New York, NY Food Truck Chef Fast - Casual Episode 3 Donna Sonkin Shaw 42 New York, NY Nutritionist Healthy Comfort Food Episode 1 Season eleven Main article : Food Network Star ( season 11 ) Beginning with this season, Alton Brown no longer appeared as a judge. The winner was Eddie Jackson. Contestants Name Age Hometown Occupation Culinary P.O.V. Eliminated Eddie Jackson 34 Houston, TX Food Truck Owner Caribbean Winner Jay Ducote 33 Baton Rouge, LA Radio Host Louisiana Runner up Dominick `` Dom '' Tesoriero 31 Staten Island, NY Food Truck Owner Italian Week 8 ( Winner of Star Salvation ; returned for semi-final ) Runner up Arnold Myint 38 Nashville, TN Restaurant Owner Effortless Home Entertainment Week 10 Alex McCoy 31 Washington, D.C. Chef, Restaurant Owner Fusion Sandwiches Week 9 Michelle Karam 39 Santa Barbara, CA Food Blogger Mediterranean Week 7 ( Withdrew ) Emilia Cirker 36 Reston, VA Culinary Instructor Spice Class Week 6 Rue Rusike 26 Brooklyn, NY Private Chef South African Week 5 Rosa Graziano 38 Los Angeles Food Truck Owner Southern Italian Week 4 Sita Lewis 47 New York, NY Culinary Instructor Italian Soul Week 3 Matthew Grunwald 22 Scottsdale, AZ Restaurant Chef Hashtag Week 2 Christina Fitzgerald 29 St. Louis, MO Executive Chef Around The World Week 1 Season twelve Main article : Food Network Star ( season 12 ) Martita Jara originally competed in the eighth season of the series ; she returned after winning the pre-season competition Comeback Kitchen. Contestants Name Age Hometown Occupation Eliminated Tregaye Fraser 31 Atlanta, Georgia Caterer Winner Jernard Wells 37 Executive chef Runner - up Damiano Carrara 30 Moorpark, California Pastry chef Yaku Moton - Spruill 33 San Francisco, California Basketball player, sous chef Week 4 / Week 10 Ana Quincoces 49 Coral Gables, Florida Cookbook writer, attorney Week 9 Erin Campbell 24 Woodbury, Minnesota Baker Week 8 Joy Thompson 40 Thomasville, North Carolina Baker, restaurateur Week 7 Rob Burmeister 45 Staten Island, New York School lunch administrator Week 6 Monterey Salka 26 Nashville, Tennessee Caterer Week 5 Martita Jara 39 San Diego, California Home cook Week 3 Aaron Crumbaugh 36 Spokane, Washington Caterer Week 2 Melissa Pfeister 34 Los Angeles, California Basketball player Havird Usry 28 Augusta, Georgia Restaurateur Week 1 Season thirteen Main article : Food Network Star ( season 13 ) Matthew Grunwald originally competed in season 11. He returned for a second chance after winning the Comeback Kitchen competition. Contestants Name Age Hometown Occupation Eliminated Jason Smith 39 Grayson, Kentucky Cafeteria manager Winner Rusty Hamlin 42 Atlanta, Georgia Executive chef Runner - up Cory Bahr 40 Monroe, Louisiana Chef Matthew Grunwald 24 Scottsdale, Arizona Restaurant chef Week 10 Amy Pottinger 32 Honolulu, Hawaii Food blogger Week 9 David Rose 35 Atlanta, Georgia Caterer Week 7 Addie Gundry 30 Lake Forest, Illinois Cookbook author ; chef Week 6 Caodan Tran 29 Dallas, Texas Personal chef Week 5 Trace Barnett 27 Brilliant, Alabama Food blogger Week 4 Suzanne Lossia 42 Detroit, Michigan Personal chef Week 3 Toya Boudy 34 New Orleans, Louisiana Week 2 Nancy Manlove 65 Texas City, Texas Chef Blake Baldwin 30 Flemington, New Jersey Marketing manager ; home cook Week 1 Season fourteen Main article : Food Network Star ( season 14 ) Contestants Amy Pottinger originally competed in season 13. She returned for a second chance after winning the Comeback Kitchen competition, along with Adam Gertler, who originally competed in season four. Palak Patel also competed on Beat Bobby Flay, where she defeated him in the Chicken Curry episode. Name Age Hometown Occupation Eliminated Christian Petroni 34 Port Chester, New York Chef Winner Jess Tom Princeton, New Jersey Food Novelist Manny Washington 30 Orlando, Florida Firehouse cook Runner - up Amy Pottinger 33 Honolulu, Hawaii Food Blogger Week 8 Palak Patel 38 New York, New York Personal chef Week 7 Katie Dixon 35 Hattiesburg, Mississippi Private chef Week 6 Harrison Bader 26 Los Angeles, California Personal chef Week 4 Adam Gertler 40 Chef, TV Personality, Actor, Podcaster Rebekah Lingenfelser 34 Savannah, Georgia Marketing and Public Relations director Week 3 Samone Lett 46 Sanford, Florida Personal chef and caterer Week 2 Jason Goldstein 40 New York, New York Chiropractor ; culinary teacher Week 1 Chris Valdes 26 Miami, Florida Caterer Notes Jump up ^ Yaku Moton - Spruill returned to the competition in Week 10 of season 12 after winning Star Salvation, but was again eliminated midway through the latter episode. Jump up ^ Cory Bahr returned to the competition in Week 10 of season 13 after winning Star Salvation. Jump up ^ Tom won Star Salvation in Week 8 of season 14 to be reinstated in the competition. References Jump up ^ `` Food Network Star Episodes ''. Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 19. Jump up ^ Finale : Food Network Star : Food Network, retrieved 2017 - 01 - 19 Jump up ^ `` A Lyon In the Kitchen ''. Discovery Health Channel. Retrieved 2007 - 07 - 16. ^ Jump up to : `` Food Network Star Episodes ''. Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 19. Jump up ^ Friedman, Corey ( 2007 - 06 - 19 ). `` TV chef spiced up credentials ''. Havelock News. Retrieved 2007 - 07 - 16. Jump up ^ Brinkley, C. Mark ( 2007 - 06 - 25 ). `` Food Network contestant cooked up details about Marine service ''. Army Times. Retrieved 2007 - 07 - 16. Jump up ^ Ellis, Rick ( 2008 - 07 - 26 ). `` Web Site Snafu Reveals Winner Of ' Next Food Network Star ' ''. AllYourTV.com. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Food Network Star Episodes ''. Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 19. ^ Jump up to : `` PR-USA.net ''. PR-USA.net. Retrieved 2013 - 07 - 21. Jump up ^ `` Show Tracker ''. Los Angeles Times. August 17, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Star ''. Food Network. Retrieved 2013 - 07 - 21. Jump up ^ `` Food Network Star Episodes ''. Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 19. ^ Jump up to : `` Show Tracker ''. Los Angeles Times. August 16, 2010. Jump up ^ http://allyourtv.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1565:next-food-network-star-runner-up-tom-pizzica-gets-his-own-show&catid=1:latest-news Jump up ^ `` Food Network Star Episodes ''. Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 19. Jump up ^ `` Food Network Star Episodes ''. Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 19. Jump up ^ Why New England - Chef on a Pier. Retrieved October 20, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Pilot Green Lights ''. Food Network Star. July 15, 2012. Food Network. Retrieved October 20, 2012. Jump up ^ `` New Roster Of Hopefuls Vie For Culinary Stardom In Season Nine Of Primetime Competition Series Food Network Star ''. Retrieved 11 May 2013. Jump up ^ Matt ( 2013 - 04 - 18 ). `` Food Network Star Season 9 Begins June 2nd ''. Food Network Gossip. Retrieved 2013 - 07 - 21. Jump up ^ `` Food Network Star Episodes ''. Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 19. Jump up ^ `` Food Network Star Episodes ''. Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 19. Jump up ^ Matt ( April 1, 2016 ). `` Food Network Gossip : Food Network Star Alumni Return For Season 12 Of Food Network Star In ' Comeback Kitchen ' ''. Food Network Gossip. Blogger. Retrieved May 22, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Meet the Food Network Star, Season 13 Finalists ''. foodnetwork.com. Retrieved 17 October 2017. Jump up ^ `` Meet the Food Network Star, Season 14 Finalists ''. foodnetwork.com. Retrieved 21 April 2018. External links Official website Food Network Star on IMDb Food Network Star at TV.com Food Network Star Seasons 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Winners ( series ) Dan Smith & Steve McDonagh Party Line with the Hearty Boys Guy Fieri Guy 's Big Bite Amy Finley Aaron McCargo Jr. Big Daddy 's House Melissa d'Arabian Ten Dollar Dinners Aarti Sequeira Aarti Party Jeff Mauro Justin Warner Rebel Eats Damaris Phillips Southern at Heart Lenny McNab Eddie Jackson BBQ Blitz Tregaye Fraser Jason Smith Best Baker in America Christian Petroni & Jess Tom Other contestants Nathan Lyon Colombe Jacobsen Adam Gertler Kelsey Nixon Shane Lyons Cory Kahaney Jeffrey Saad Michele Ragussis Martie Duncan Nikki Martin Cristie Schoen Stacey Poon - Kinney Nikki Dinki Damiano Carrara Spin - off Food Network Star Kids Food Network original programming Current Barefoot Contessa ( since 2002 ) Beat Bobby Flay ( since 2014 ) Best Baker in America ( since 2017 ) Chopped ( since 2009 ) Chopped After Hours ( since 2015 ) Diners, Drive - Ins and Dives ( since 2007 ) Food Network Star ( since 2005 ) Girl Meets Farm ( since 2018 ) The Great Food Truck Race ( since 2010 ) Guy 's Grocery Games ( since 2013 ) Halloween Baking Championship ( since 2015 ) Halloween Wars ( since 2011 ) Holiday Baking Championship ( since 2014 ) Iron Chef America ( since 2005 ) Iron Chef Gauntlet ( since 2017 ) Kids Baking Championship ( since 2015 ) The Kitchen ( since 2014 ) The Pioneer Woman ( since 2011 ) Spring Baking Championship ( since 2015 ) Trisha 's Southern Kitchen ( since 2012 ) Valerie 's Home Cooking ( since 2015 ) Worst Cooks in America ( since 2010 ) Former 1990s debuts Cooking Live ( 1997 -- 2003 ) Emeril Live ( 1997 -- 2010 ) Essence of Emeril ( 1994 -- 2007 ) Good Eats ( 1999 -- 2012 ) How to Boil Water ( 1993 -- 2000 ) 2000s debuts 30 Minute Meals ( 2001 -- 2012 ) $40 a Day ( 2002 -- 2005 ) 5 Ingredient Fix ( 2009 -- 2011 ) A Cook 's Tour ( 2002 -- 2003 ) Ace of Cakes ( 2006 -- 2011 ) Ask Aida ( 2008 -- 2009 ) BBQ with Bobby Flay ( 2004 -- 2007 ) Behind the Bash ( 2006 ) Big Daddy 's House ( 2008 -- 2011 ) Boy Meets Grill ( 2002 -- 2011 ) Chocolate with Jacques Torres ( 2002 -- 2004 ) Cupcake Wars ( 2009 -- 2016 ) Dinner : Impossible ( 2007 -- 2010 ) Everyday Italian ( 2003 -- 2008 ) Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin ( 2009 -- 2010 ) Feasting on Asphalt ( 2006 -- 2008 ) Food 911 ( 2000 -- 2006 ) Food Network Challenge ( 2007 -- 2011 ) Giada at Home ( 2008 -- 2015 ) Giada 's Weekend Getaways ( 2007 -- 2008 ) Glutton for Punishment ( 2007 -- 2011 ) Good Deal with Dave Lieberman ( 2005 -- 2007 ) Guy 's Big Bite ( 2006 -- 2016 ) Ham on the Street ( 2006 ) How 'd That Get on My Plate ? ( 2008 ) The Next Iron Chef ( 2007 -- 2012 ) Party Line with the Hearty Boys ( 2005 -- 2006 ) Paula 's Best Dishes ( 2008 -- 2013 ) Paula 's Home Cooking ( 2002 -- 2012 ) Private Chefs of Beverly Hills ( 2009 -- 2011 ) Rachael Ray 's Tasty Travels ( 2005 -- 2009 ) Road Tasted ( 2006 -- 2008 ) The Secret Life of... ( 2002 -- 2008 ) Sara 's Secrets ( 2002 -- 2007 ) Secrets of a Restaurant Chef ( 2008 -- 2012 ) Sugar Rush ( 2005 -- 2007 ) Ten Dollar Dinners ( 2009 -- 2012 ) Throwdown ! with Bobby Flay ( 2006 -- 2010 ) Tyler 's Ultimate ( 2003 -- 2010 ) Ultimate Recipe Showdown ( 2008 -- 2010 ) Unwrapped ( 2001 -- 2011 ) What Would Brian Boitano Make ? ( 2009 -- 2010 ) Will Work for Food ( 2009 ) 2010s debuts 24 Hour Restaurant Battle ( 2010 -- 2011 ) $24 in 24 ( 2012 ) Aarti Party ( 2010 -- 2011 ) America 's Best Cook ( 2014 ) The Best Thing I Ever Made ( 2011 -- 2013 ) BBQ Blitz ( 2015 ) Bobby Flay 's Barbecue Addiction ( 2011 -- 2014 ) Brunch @ Bobby 's ( 2010 -- 2015 ) Cake Wars ( 2015 -- 2017 ) Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell ( 2012 -- 2013 ) Chopped Junior ( 2015 -- 2017 ) Clash of the Grandmas ( 2015 -- 2016 ) Cutthroat Kitchen ( 2013 -- 2017 ) Dessert First with Anne Thornton ( 2010 -- 2011 ) Dessert Games ( 2017 ) Food Court Wars ( 2013 -- 2014 ) Food Network Star Kids ( 2016 ) Guilty Pleasures ( 2015 -- 2016 ) Heat Seekers ( 2011 -- 2012 ) I Hart Food ( 2017 ) Iron Chef Showdown ( 2017 ) Kid in a Candy Store ( 2010 -- 2011 ) Kids BBQ Championship ( 2016 -- 2017 ) Kitchen Casino ( 2014 ) Kitchen Sink ( 2016 -- 2017 ) Mystery Diners ( 2012 -- 2016 ) Patricia Heaton Parties ( 2015 -- 2016 ) Rachael vs. Guy : Celebrity Cook - Off ( 2012 -- 2014 ) Restaurant Express ( 2013 ) Restaurant : Impossible ( 2011 -- 2016 ) Restaurant Stakeout ( 2012 -- 2014 ) Rewrapped ( 2014 ) Southern at Heart ( 2013 -- 2016 ) Sweet Genius ( 2011 -- 2013 ) Top 5 Restaurants ( 2015 -- 2016 ) Worst Bakers in America ( 2016 ) Pilots and specials The Big Waste ( 2012 ) Kids Halloween Baking Championship ( 2016 ) Rebel Eats ( 2013 ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Food_Network_Star&oldid=863832727 '' Categories : 2005 American television series debuts 2000s American television series 2010s American television series English - language television programs Food Network series Food Network Star Television series by CBS Television Studios Hidden categories : Wikipedia articles in need of updating from June 2015 All Wikipedia articles in need of updating Articles needing additional references from May 2014 All articles needing additional references Articles needing additional references from June 2014 TV.com template with ID same as Wikidata Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 13 October 2018, at 10 : 38 ( UTC ). 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Question: who was the first winner of the next food network star
Answer: Chicago area caterers Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh