EDDIE JACKSON OF HOUSTON CROWNED "FOOD NETWORK STAR"

WINNER'S PRIMETIME SERIES TO DEBUT LATE FALL, 2015

NEW YORK - August 17, 2015 - After a fiercely competitive eleventh season, Food Network Star concluded Sunday night with Eddie Jackson of Houston named the winner of the series grand prize: his own show on Food Network. A former NFL player who became a personal trainer, food truck owner and private chef, Eddie proved to be the ultimate culinary champion known for his charismatic personality, charm under pressure and spectacular cooking skills. His take on food, which combines his southern background with his passion for rich bold flavors, consistently distinguished him with the judges and audience over the 11-episode season. Leading into the finale, the eleventh outing of Food Network Star averaged 1.0 rating among A25-54, up +15% from last season. In the hit series, culinary icons Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay lead the charge to find the next promising face in food television and this year's finale came down to three finalists: Eddie, Jay Ducote (Baton Rouge, La.) and Dom Tesoriero (Staten Island, NY). The winner's show will premiere late fall 2015 in primetime.

"The camera loves Eddie Jackson. He came to this competition with impeccable cooking skills, tremendous on-air charisma and that innate 'Star' quality - add in the focus and determination from his days as an athlete, and Eddie was a clear standout among this very talented cast," said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Food Network. "We are excited to bring his energy, charm and passion for food to the network."

Eddie Jackson is a former NFL player who is a fierce competitor, both in the kitchen and on the field. Now a private chef and personal trainer, he also owns a Caribbean grill-inspired food truck in Houston. In Eddie's world, there is no need for a "cheat day," because his good-for-you food is packed with flavor and does not leave you feeling deprived. In addition to his own show on Food Network, Eddie will make an appearance at the upcoming Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival this October and be featured in Food Network Magazine.

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FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers' best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and up to 35 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine's rate base has grown 13 times and is now the third largest monthly magazine on the newsstand, with over 12.4 million readers. Headquartered in New York, Food Network has a growing international presence with programming in more than 150 countries, including 24-hour networks in the United Kingdom, Asia, and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), which also owns and operates Cooking Channel (www.cookingchanneltv.com), HGTV (www.hgtv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Travel Channel (www.travelchannel.com) and Great American Country (www.gactv.com), is the manager and general partner.