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**FOOD NETWORK AUGUST 2009 HIGHLIGHTS**

INTRODUCING THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR!

‘The Next Food Network Star’ Winner Is Announced and Launches a New Series

Find Out ‘What Would Brian Boitano Make?’ and Get Ready for ‘Chefs vs. City’

NEW YORK – July 15, 2009 – The winner of the The Next Food Network Star is revealed in the season five finale Sunday, August 2^nd at 9pm and he or she debuts a brand new daytime series Sunday, August 9^th at 12:30pm. Olympic figure skater Brian Boitano brings his flair for showmanship to his new daytime series, What Would Brian Boitano Make? premiering Sunday, August 23^rd at 1pm. Food Network takes viewers on a cross-country culinary race in the new primetime series Chefs vs. City featuring acclaimed chefs Chris Cosentino and Aarón Sánchez premiering Friday, August 7^th at 10pm.

FEATURED SERIES

The Next Food Network Star – Season Five

The stakes are higher than ever as television’s most challenging food fight, The Next Food Network Star, provides 10 hopeful TV chefs the chance to compete for the ultimate dream job: his or her own Food Network show. In the star-studded fifth season, Iron Chef Bobby Flay leads the selection committee that ultimately decides the winner’s fate and launches one lucky man or woman into a food and television celebrity.

Premieres: Sunday, August 2^nd at 9pm – SEASON FINALE!

“Episode Nine”

In the season finale, the final two contenders go head-to-head at Food Network performing pilot presentations of their dream shows and facing an impromptu interview with Food Network Magazine editor-in-chief Maile Carpenter. Food Network star Alton Brown spends one-on-one time with the final two to learn more about their culinary points of view before directing their pilots. All the finalists return and join a live audience to find out who will be The Next Food Network Star!

SERIES PREMIERES

Chefs vs. City

Premieres: Friday, August 7^th at 10pm

Acclaimed chefs Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez are pitted against two local foodies in a winner-takes-all race through a different city each week, through the most fascinating, unusual food locations. Each team begins with a clue leading them to their first food challenge. Challenges could include everything from wine stomping to the eating the spiciest chili west of the Mississippi to diving for sea urchins! The five challenges take the chefs and foodies on an adrenaline-charged, food-lover’s tour of each city, and once complete, it’s a sprint to the finish line to see if the locals can protect their home turf or if the Food Network chefs can conquer a new city.

Premieres: Friday, August 7^th at 10pm – SERIES PREMIERE!

“New York”

In the season premiere of Chefs vs. City, chefs Aarón Sánchez and Chris Cosentino jump right into their first challenge and hit the streets of New York City to battle fellow Food Network stars Claire Robinson of “5 Ingredient Fix” and Food 2’s Kelsey Nixon of “Kelsey & Spike Cook.” During five intense challenges, the teams take on a taste-test at Dylan’s Candy Bar before heading to Russ & Daughters, a culinary landmark in New York City. To wrap up the extreme challenges, the teams heads to The Brick Lane Curry House to devour the hottest dish in the world.

Premieres: Friday, August 14^th at 10pm

“Las Vegas”

Chefs Aarón Sánchez and Chris Cosentino visit Las Vegas and go head-to-head with two of the city’s top chefs: Stephen Hopcraft and Santanna Salas of MGM’s Seablue restaurant. After making a pit stop at the country’s coldest bar, the teams gorge on an all-you-can-eat buffet and navigate the MGM room service kitchen in a non-stop fight to win. The teams discover unusual food spots that even shock Sin City locals.

Premieres: Friday, August 21^st at 10pm

“Boston”

Chefs Aarón Sánchez and Chris Cosentino challenge Boston brothers, Peter and Robert Depesa, chefs and co-owners of Focaccia Restaurant. From devouring a famous chocolate buffet to experiencing a true New England clambake, the teams dabble in classic Boston fare. Then, the competition heats up when the teams go head-to-head to create a gigantic Boston crème pie.

Premieres: Friday, August 28^th at 10pm

“San Francisco”

Chefs Aarón Sánchez and Chris Cosentino explore Chris’ hometown of San Franciso and take on two local chefs: Anna Wankel and Melissa Perello. In five Bay Area food challenges, the teams endure a bread fight at the famous Boudin Bakery, eat one of cities spiciest dishes and build a massive meat puzzle at the California Culinary Academy. All bets are off as the teams discover San Francisco dining in a new and unexpected way.

The Next Food Network Star Winner Series

Premieres: Sunday, August 9^th at 12:30pm

The winner of the highest-rated culinary competition in Food Network history, the fifth season of The Next Food Network Star, makes the leap to host his or her own cooking series. The winner will be revealed during the finale on Sunday, August 2^nd at 9pm, and his or her new show debuts one week later.

What Would Brian Boitano Make?

Premieres: Sunday, August 23^rd at 1pm

Everyone knows Olympic figure skater Brian Boitano is a champion on the ice; but he also gives a gold medal performance in the kitchen! In the new daytime series, What Would Brian Boitano Make?, Brian demonstrates his culinary skills and passion for one-of-a-kind entertaining. In every unpredictable episode, Brian hosts get-togethers at his San Francisco home: feeding an all-girl roller derby squad, playing matchmaker for a friend, winning over his handyman’s supper club, and planning a surprise party celebrating new motherhood. With a humorous and knowledgeable approach to cooking, Brian puts his unique spin on irresistible dishes like Chicken Paella Burgers, Pear and Almond Crostata, Crab and Avocado Crostini, and Bourbon Bacon Apple Tarts.

Premieres: Sunday, August 23^rd at 1pm – SERIES PREMIERE!

“Derby Girls”

After sharing post-game Bacon Martinis with an all-girl roller derby squad, Brian invites the team to his house for a dinner party. All of Brian’s simple and succulent recipes are created with the ladies’ favorite ingredient – bacon! Menu includes: Spicy Fried Chicken Bites with Derby Dip (bacon blue cheese dip), Bacon Corn Muffins with Savory Cream Cheese Frosting, Bacon Cups with Sweet Potato Hash and Bourbon Bacon Apple Tarts.

Premieres: Sunday, August 30^th at 1pm

“Handyman Special”

Brian tries to join his handyman’s exclusive supper club by wowing the members with his homemade French-inspired Italian meal. Brian combines a French classic and linguini to make his Coq Au Vin-guini, prepares a Tomato and Garlic Crouton Salad and a mouthwatering Pear and Almond Crostata. To wash it down, Brian concocts his Italian 88 Cocktail with grapefruit juice, vodka, Prosecco and a sugar cube.

SEASON PREMIERES

Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives

Premieres: Monday, August 3^rd at 10pm

“Upper Crust”

Guy Fieri visits a hoagie shop with fresh homemade rolls in Hollywood, Fla., and stops by a Portland, Ore., café serving mouthwatering house-cured pork belly. Then, on his mission for serious sandwiches, Guy heads to a Chicago joint known for their pot roast on a bun.

Dinner: Impossible

Premieres: Wednesday, August 12^th at 10pm

“Roller Derby Debacle”

On the season premiere of Dinner: Impossible, Robert Irvine travels to Wildwood, N.J., to prepare a one-of-a-kind meal for 250 Roller Derby women and their families. His mission to make a meal that the players can eat without utensils gets even messier when Robert learns that his guests are expecting more than ordinary finger foods. Can Robert keep up with these rough and tough women, or will this be Dinner: Impossible?

Ask Aida

Premieres: Saturday, August 22^nd at 9:30am

“Burger Bonanza”

Everyone loves a juicy burger, and Aida Mollenkamp perfects three different types to satisfy all cravings. First up, she prepares a mouthwatering Bacon Cheeseburger topped with a Spicy Chile Mayo. Then, she creates a flavorful Cajun Veggie Burger and can’t miss Cheesy Sliders with an overflowing toppings bar. She also puts a healthy twist on everyone’s favorite side: French fries.

SPECIALS

Chefography

Premieres: Saturday, August 15^th at 8pm

“The Neelys”

In the early 1980s, Pat Neely and Gina Ervin were high school sweethearts in Memphis, Tenn., until they broke up during their senior year. Pat and Gina reunited at their 10th high school reunion, married in 1995 and began working side by side at Neely’s, the family’s BBQ restaurant that Pat and his brothers opened in 1988. A 2006 appearance on Food Network led to the couple getting their own cooking series, Down Home with the Neelys, which debuted in 2008. Balancing their TV work, business, marriage and family is a daily challenge, but Pat and Gina handle it all thanks to the fundamental love between them.

Chefography

Premieres: Saturday, August 15^th at 9pm

“Guy Fieri”

With multiple series and specials on Food Network, a New York Times best-selling book and millions of fans, Guy Fieri is on top of the world. From starting a pretzel cart business in fifth grade to running restaurants in his early 20s, it was clear that food was a driving force in Guy’s life, but that was just the beginning. In 2005, he competed on and won season two of The Next Food Network Star, and viewers fell in love with his infectious personality as well as his cooking show, Guy’s Big Bite. Other successful series like Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and Ultimate Recipe Showdown soon followed, and Guy’s status as culinary superstar was secured.

SERIES

Iron Chef America

The heat rises in Kitchen Stadium as Iron Chef America continues with brand new episodes pitting the American Iron Chefs against fierce new competitors.

Premieres: Sunday, August 9^th at 9pm

“Flay vs. Kwaku-Dongo”

Connecticut Chef Francois Kwaku-Dongo challenges Iron Chef Flay to a fierce and fiery battle in Kitchen Stadium. Will Chef Kwaku-Dongo wow the judges with his inspiring dishes, or will Iron Chef Flay prove to be the best? Tune in to see whose cuisine reigns supreme!

Premieres: Sunday, August 23^rd at 9pm

“Cora vs. Farmerie”

Chef Brad Farmerie of New York City’s Public and Double Crown challenges Iron Chef Cora to battle. Will Chef Farmerie’s culinary creations guarantee him a win, or will he feel the cold hand of defeat against Iron Chef Cora? Tune in to see whose cuisine reigns supreme!

Premieres: Sunday, August 30^th at 9pm

“Morimoto vs. Mehta”

Chef Jahangir Mehta enters Kitchen Stadium to take on Iron Chef Morimoto. Will Chef Mehta’s Indian cuisine wow the judges, or will he fall flat next to Iron Chef Morimoto’s culinary creations? Tune in to see whose cuisine reigns supreme!

Food Network Challenge

Each month, Food Network gets the competitive juices flowing with Food Network Challenge bringing viewers the biggest and most exciting food battles from around the world. With bragging rights and a $10,000 cash prize on the line, the Challenges are intense.

Premieres: Sunday, August 16^th at 8pm

“Fashion Cakes”

Four cake artists will make cakes inspired by the fall collection of Stacey Bendet’s fashion line, Alice+Olivia.  What the competitors don’t know is that fashion models with no culinary experience will assist them in making their cakes. The winning cake artist will take home $10,000 and a gold medal.

Premieres: Sunday, August 30^th at 8pm

“Cereal Bridges 2”

Four top pastry chefs have eight hours to outwit physics by engineering world famous bridges from rice cereal treats. The first Cereal Bridges Challenge proved a tall order. The question is: Can these four contenders build the bridges better and stronger than the first time around? The victor takes home the gold medal and $10,000.