Food Network Star Season 9: Episode Guide & Ratings

12 hopefuls compete to host their own Food Network show. Each films a pitch tape and prepares one dish. Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson, and a focus group of Food Network viewers decide who will go on.

The contestants are tasked with creating the ultimate burger and presenting it to 100 burger enthusiasts.

The remaining contestants are given an exotic ingredient and must be able to use their palate to identify and present what it is; the top two winners earn a seat at the judge's table.

This week, the finalists will compete at a one of these extravagant cinemas. Paired into teams of three, they will have to create a menu and a movie trailer for a focus group of movie enthusiasts.

Food Network Stars often participate in live TV events where they're required to think on their feet and react to any situation thrown at them. Special guest, Terrence Jenkins, from E! News, will host our finalists as they do live cooking demos — with some curveballs. Then the finalists participate in "4th of July Live," a one-take interactive show that helps the viewers at home with must-have recipes and tips for summer parties.

Food Network Stars need to communicate big ideas quickly, so this week, each finalist will have to come up with a product representing their unique brand and culinary style and then create, package and pitch the product to a tough panel of successful food executives from Target, Kellogg's and Kraft. The selection committee will decide who did best overall, and who will go home.

The finalists must use an unusual ingredient to create a dish which they will then auction to a roomful of adventurous eaters.

The finalists are divided into teams to film a three minute "food story show" about a pizza joint and a donut shop. Guest judges from The Hollywood Reporter screen and critique the shows, and the least successful team lands in the bottom three.

Robert Irvine issues a challenge to the remaining contestants, asking them to rework outdated dishes on a restaurant's menu.

The four finalists pitch their ideas for a show to Food Network executives Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson, who choose three of the concepts to be made into pilots directed by Guy Fieri.

The Season 9 winner is revealed during a reunion show featuring never-before-seen footage and reflections from the competitors and mentors.