"CHOPPED JUNIOR" DISHES OUT NEW EPISODES THROUGH SUMMER AS JUNIOR CHEFS COMPETE IN THE KITCHEN

Ted Allen and the Chopped Judges are Joined by New Special Guest Judges All Summer Long

New Season Premieres Tuesday, July 26th at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network

NEW YORK - July 7, 2016 - Chopped Junior premieres new episodes all summer long, with a new season premiering on Tuesday, July 26th at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network. Hosted by Ted Allen, each episode features four junior chefs as they showcase their skills in the Chopped Kitchen, making unforgettable meals from a basket of mystery ingredients over three rounds - appetizer, entrée, and dessert - with a limited amount of time. Judged by a rotating panel of both recurring Chopped judges and special guest judges, one-by-one, the junior chef that is not up to par will be eliminated, with the last one remaining crowned Chopped Junior Champion and winning the $10,000 prize. Special guest judges this season include David Arquette; Chris Colfer; Siri Daly; Justine "iJustine" Ezarik; David Alan Grier; Cheryl Hines, star of the upcoming family comedy Nine Lives; Katie Lee; Sandra Lee; Austin Mahone; Angie Martinez; Debbie Matenopoulos, co-host of The Insider; Brandi Milloy; Bridget Moynahan; Chelsea Peretti; Jake Smollett; Alan Thicke; Daphne Oz; Danica Patrick; Michelle Trachtenberg, Laura Vitale; DeMarcus Ware and more.

Episodes Include:

Premiering Tuesday, July 26th at 8pm ET/PT - SEASON PREMIERE! "Sloppy Apps" Neatness is always important in plating, but with Sloppy Joes as a mandatory ingredient in the first round, the judges must excuse some sloppiness! A red pesto and some white turnips keep things interesting in the entrée round, then a yummy bacon apple pie is found in the dessert basket Host: Ted Allen Judges: Siri Daly, Cheryl Hines, Geoffrey Zakarian

Premiering Tuesday, August 2nd at 8pm ET/PT "Rattled" When the young chefs must cook snakes in the appetizer round, will they be too squeamish to let their skills shine through? Then in the entrée round a dense, oddball of a cake must be worked into lamb shoulder dishes. When the finalists are challenged to make creative, caffeinated desserts, the last precious seconds of the round are a show of desperation and cooperation. Host: Ted Allen Judges: Chris Colfer, Raiza Costa, Amanda Freitag

Premiering Tuesday, August 9th at 8pm ET/PT "Cup of Glee" What would you do in 30 minutes with a 3.5-pound peanut butter cup? Find out how four talented junior chefs decide to deal with it in an exciting appetizer round. An enviable cut of pork and a strong-flavored candy are two of the gifts in the entrée basket. Then the finalists take on a gooey skillet of pink sweetness along with a healthy, crunchy snack in the dessert round. Host: Ted Allen Judges: Maneet Chauhan, Andrew Gruel, Meghan Markle

Premiering Tuesday, August 16th at 8pm ET/PT "Nest Test" The young competitors hatch a plan for what to do with a "birds' nest" in the first basket, which is actually a common dish in disguise. Then in the entrée round, the chefs learn a new word for a specific type of chicken and must hustle to get it cooked through. The two finalists have similar ideas for killer kiwi desserts, but will the judges love their dishes equally? Host: Ted Allen Judges:Austin Mahone, Raquel Pelzel, Aar�n S�nchez

Premiering Tuesday, August 23rd at 8pm ET/PT "Nugget? Fuhgettaboutit!" Some of the young cooks are not fans of the typical kid-favorite chicken nuggets, which they find in the appetizer basket. Then will the junior chefs have the experience to know that seconds in the pan is all the delicate bay scallops in the entrée basket need? In the dessert round, a hybrid fruit and some Mesozoic candies make for a fun time. Host: Ted Allen Judges:Kenny Gilbert, Mae Whitman, Geoffrey Zakarian

Premiering Tuesday, August 30th at 8pm ET/PT "Think Fig" The young cooks get some expensive seafood in the first basket and struggle to make the most of valuable time. Bacon is discovered in an odd place in the entrée basket. Finally, some figs and fancy peaches must make it to the dessert plates. Host: Ted Allen Judges:Ta'Rhonda Jones, Sabin Lomac, Aar�n S�nchez

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