Food Network’s number one series, “The Next Food Network Star,” returns this June with the most exciting and intense season to date. Shot in Los Angeles on a brand-new studio set, season six follows 12 hopefuls competing for the ultimate dream job: his or her own Food Network show. With this coveted prize on the line, the finalists strut their star power and culinary chops for host Bobby Flay and the selection committee to see if they stack up against the competition. Under the mentorship of Giada De Laurentiis, the series kicks off with a two-hour premiere Sunday, June 6th at 9pm ET/PT as finalists get a taste of Hollywood with a trip to Paramount Studios and a six-course lunch for L.A.’s biggest celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck.

The 12 finalists include: Dzintra Dzenis (Austin, Texas), Doreen Fang (Los Angeles, Calif.), Alexis Hernandez (Clarksville, Ind.), Brianna Jenkins (Atlanta, Ga.), Aria Kagan (Hollywood, Fla.), Herb Mesa (Atlanta, Ga.), Serena Palumbo (New York, N.Y.), Tom Pizzica (San Francisco, Calif.), Aarti Sequeira (Los Angeles, Calif.), Darrell “DAS” Smith (Los Angeles, Calif.), Brad Sorenson (Austin, Texas) and Paul Young (Chicago, Ill.).

This season, the finalists travel to Los Angeles where they are put through the ringer to prove their culinary talent and impress the industry’s biggest stars. Challenges include a crash-course in red-carpet glamour while catering a star-studded MGD 64 after-party with Grammy-winner Colbie Caillat, serving up savory dishes inspired by classic carnival sweets at the Santa Monica Pier, creating and operating lunch trucks on Venice Beach, and using Kellogg’s ® breakfast cereals to cook dinner with breakfast. The contestants must also impress special guest stars Eva Longoria Parker and Todd English by illustrating an “emotion” through a dish at their restaurant, Beso.

All season long, the finalists receive extra insight and encouragement from a host of guest stars including Wolfgang Puck, Paula Deen, Guy Fieri, Rachael Ray, Alton Brown, Duff Goldman, Ted Allen, and Melissa d’Arabian. The selection committee comprised of Bobby Flay and Food Network executives, Bob Tuschman (Senior Vice President, Programming and Production) and Susie Fogelson (Senior Vice President, Marketing, Creative Services & Brand Strategy), narrow the field down until the finale. The winner, revealed during the series finale on Sunday, August 15th at 9pm ET/PT, receives a six-episode show that premieres in August 2010.

Fans receive the “star” treatment online as foodnetwork.com/star plays host to live chats in the ‘Star Lounge’ during each premiere with Food Network hosts and special guests who also provide exclusive Vlogs, fan-favorite voting, robust behind-the-scenes photo galleries and video packages including sneak peeks, recaps, exit interviews and highlight clips from Cooking Channel’s after party series. Viewers are also served Bobby Flay’s “Take Two” recipe fixes in which he modifies a failed recipe from each challenge.