Food Network Star

- Season 12

(2016)

Season 12 begins with the hopefuls shooting a 30-second screen test to be shown at a VIP event in Los Angeles.

The 12 finalists are paired up for the task of shooting a culinary travelogue report. Later, two different cooking styles are mashed up into one dish, during the food-world equivalent of a rap battle.

The finalists work in pairs to shoot a promo for their version of a show called "Family Roadtrip!". Among the judges they must try to impress are Ali Larter and Food Network Magazine editor-in-chief Maile Carpenter.

Nine finalists remain for the challenge of delivering trendy remote food reports for Entertainment Tonight (1981). And later, creating an upscale room service experience proves tricky, when dodging comedic curve-balls from guest judges Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Hannah Hart.

Robert Irvine challenges the remaining finalists to create a dish worthy of a world-class motorsports tailgate party.

Duff Goldman issues an edible challenge. Later, the seven remaining finalists are invited to pair unlikely food ingredients together, for a segment on the Internet talk show, Good Mythical Morning (2012).

The six remaining finalists are tasked with baking a dish from a pantry stocked only with frozen foods; and later, they are split into two teams of three to throw a tiki party with an island-inspired menu.

A five-course meal, composed of nothing but over-the-top guilty pleasure dinners, is prepared by the remaining finalists, during a challenge that ends with one hopeful going home.

Holiday specials are hosted by the finalists, who must plan menus to celebrate St. Patrick's Day; Cinco de Mayo; Mardi Gras; New Year's Eve; and Easter.

One ousted rival rejoins the competition, after surviving a six-week journey on "Star Salvation", the web series hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli and Eddie Jackson.

The three finalists are surprised by the arrival of a former contestant, who's back in the competition after winning The Next Food Network Star: Star Salvation 2 (2016). Later, Aarti Sequeira helps choose who gets to shoot a Food Network pilot, directed by Guy Fieri.

The final three watch their pilots with Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay. One winner is selected to shoot their very own show on Food Network in the Season 12 finale.