2010 American TV series or program
Worst Cooks in America Genre
Reality television
Cooking show Directed by Michael Pearlman Judges Country of origin United States Original language English No. of seasons6 No. of episodes38 Executive producers
Bob Kirsh
Nicola Moody
Pip Wells Production locations Los Angeles, California and New York City Running time 42 Minutes Production company Optomen Productions, Inc. Network Food Network Release January 3, 2010 (2010-01-03 ) –
Worst Cooks in America reality competition show on the Food Network . The show takes 12 to 16 contestants (referred to as "recruits") with very poor cooking skills through an eight-week culinary boot camp , to earn a cash prize of $25,000 and a Food Network cooking set.[ 1] [ 2] baking , knife skills , temperature , seasoning and preparation. The final challenge is to cook a restaurant quality three-course meal for three food critics .
The show premiered on January 3, 2010. The show was initially hosted by chef Anne Burrell and chef Beau MacMillan in Season 1. MacMillan was replaced by chef Robert Irvine on Season 2, followed by chef Bobby Flay for Seasons 3–5. On November 20, 2014, a Food Network press release announced that chef Tyler Florence will be paired with chef Anne Burrell to host Season 6, to debut on January 4, 2015. Burrell was the winning instructor in seasons 1, 2, 3, and 6 with Flay winning in Seasons 4–5.
Season 1: 2010
Chefs Beau MacMillan and Anne Burrell lead an intense culinary boot camp. They have six recruits each, and every week they must eliminate one recruit from each of their teams until there is only one from each team left. The final two create a three-course meal to fool a panel of restaurant critics into believing that the meal was created by the acclaimed chefs.
Recruits
Twelve chefs competed in the first season of Worst Cooks in America . Hometowns and occupations are available from the Food Network website.[ 3] [ 4]
Contestant
Age
Hometown
Occupation
Status
Rachel Coleman
23
Brooklyn , New York
Marketing Website editor
Winner February 1
Jennifer "Jenny" Cross
21
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Waitress
Runner-up February 1
Jennifer "Jen" Vecchio
38
Cumberland, Rhode Island
Dance Studio Owner
Eliminated January 31
Eddie Chang
32
Jersey City, New Jersey
IT project manager
Marque Hernandez
41
Brea, California
Director of Clinical Operations
Eliminated January 24
Rebecca Hooper
43
Sandy, Utah
Salon Owner
Sophia Gettys
27
Aurora, Colorado
Stay-at-home mother
Eliminated January 17
Susie Shoman
53
Georgetown, South Carolina
Grants administrator and entrepreneur
Kelly LoCascio
31
Scottsdale, Arizona
Corporate litigation attorney
Eliminated January 10
David Summey
29
Charlotte, North Carolina
Salesman
Wilhelmina Josephine
29
Aliso Viejo, California
Insurance claims adjuster
Eliminated January 3
Hamed Hamad
24
North Hollywood, California Journalist and fashion consultant
Contestant progress
Contestant
Episode
1
2
3
4
5
6
Rachel IN
IN
IN
IN
WIN BTM
WIN WINNER
Jenny IN
IN
IN
WIN IN
BTM
WIN RUNNER-UP
Jen IN
IN
WIN IN
WIN WIN OUT
Eddie BTM
WIN BTM
BTM
IN
WIN OUT
Marque WIN WIN BTM
BTM
IN
OUT
Rebecca WIN BTM
IN
WIN IN
OUT
Sophia IN
IN
IN
OUT
Susie IN
BTM
IN
OUT
Kelly IN
OUT
David BTM
OUT
Wilhelmina OUT
Hamed OUT
Key
(WINNER) This contestant won the competition and was crowned "Best of the Worst". (RUNNER-UP) The contestant was the runner-up in the finals of the competition. (WIN) The contestant did the best on their team in the week's Main Dish challenge and was considered the winner. (BTM) The contestant was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Main Dish challenge, but was not eliminated. (OUT) The contestant lost that week's Main Dish challenge and was out of the competition.
Episodes
Chef Anne and Chef Beau each assigned one another a team of six recruits. The teams are reduced by one each episode during the elimination portion of the show. Each episode typically contains two challenges; a skill drill and a main dish challenge. The skill drill challenge is aimed at showing or teaching the recruits a skill needed for cooking (e.g., teaching them knife skills) and the main dish challenge consists of re-creating a recipe shown by the instructor of the team. Both chefs then judge their teams on their performances in the main dish challenge and eliminate one recruit per team.
Season 2: 2011
Casting for season 2 of Worst Cooks in America was held at the LA Marriott Burbank Airport, Hotel & Convention Center on March 27, 2010.[ 5] [ 6] Robert Irvine would replace Beau MacMillan for season 2. Season 2 debuted on January 2, 2011.[ 7]
Recruits
Contestant
Age
Hometown
Occupation
Status
Joshie Berger
36
Brooklyn , New York
Attorney
Winner February 20
Georgann "Georg" Coleman
38
Chicago, Illinois
Speech pathologist
Runner-up February 20
Carlos Manuel
28
Atlanta, Georgia
Banker
Eliminated February 13
Kelsey Milos
22
Kings, Illinois
Hair stylist
Kat Rose
37
Newnan, Georgia
Stay-at-home mother
Eliminated February 6
Tyrone "Ty" Miller
33
Trenton, New Jersey
Property manager
Jennifer "Jen" MacLean
43
Sparta, New Jersey
Operating room nurse
Eliminated January 30
Kelly Gray
32
New York City
Aerobics instructor
Erika Rumsey
27
Elgin, Illinois
Account manager
Eliminated January 23
Anna Altomari
44
Aliso Viejo, California
RN Case manager
Priscilla Harden
60
Sugar Land, Texas
Retired teacher
Eliminated January 16
Matt Crespi
24
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
PhD Student
Anthony Scinto
32
Crestwood, Illinois
Mechanical engineer
Eliminated January 9
Jeff Longcor
25
Somerville, Massachusetts
Environmental contractor
Lina Yu
28
Arcadia, California
Production manager
Eliminated January 2
Eric Ricupero
34
Quincy, Massachusetts
Bar owner
Contestant progress
Contestant
Episode
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Joshie IN
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
BTM
IN
IN
BTM
IN
WIN
WINNER
Georg IN
WIN
IN
IN
IN
WIN
IN
WIN
BTM
WIN
WIN
RUNNER-UP
Carlos IN
IN
WIN
WIN
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
WIN
WIN
OUT
Kelsey WIN
IN
IN
WIN
BTM
IN
BTM
IN
WIN
IN
OUT
Kat WIN
IN
BTM
IN
IN
BTM
BTM
BTM
OUT
Ty IN
IN
IN
IN
BTM
IN
IN
BTM
OUT
Jen IN
BTM
IN
WIN
IN
IN
IN
OUT
Kelly IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
WIN
OUT
Erika BTM
WIN
IN
WIN
IN
IN
OUT
Anna IN
IN
IN
IN
WIN
IN
OUT
Priscilla IN
IN
BTM
WIN
OUT
Matt BTM
IN
WIN
IN
OUT
Anthony IN
IN
OUT
Jeff IN
BTM
OUT
Lina OUT
Eric OUT
Key
(WINNER) This contestant won the competition and was crowned "Best of the Worst". (RUNNER-UP) The contestant was the runner-up in the finals of the competition. (WIN) The contestant did the best on their team in the week's Main Dish challenge and was considered the winner. (BTM) The contestant was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Main Dish challenge, but was not eliminated. (OUT) The contestant lost that week's Main Dish challenge and was out of the competition.
Season 3: 2012
Anne Burrell and Bobby Flay hosted season 3.[ 8] [ 9]
Recruits
Contestant
Age
Hometown
Occupation
Status
Kelli Powers
40
Valley Village, California
Stay-at-home mother
Winner April 1
Vinnie Caligiuri
47
Jenkintown, Pennsylvania
Mortgage broker
Runner-up April 1
Melissa Rhodes
28
Naples, Florida
Nursing Student
Eliminated March 25
David K. Shelton
26
Pittsburgh, Texas
Unemployed
Tiffany Michelle
27
Los Angeles, California
Poker player and actress
Eliminated March 18
Dorothy Strouhal
38
Cove, Texas
Make-up artist
Anthony Schiano
33
Massapequa, New York
Mechanical engineer
Eliminated March 11
Benjamin Dennis
37
Frisco, Texas
Stay-at-home father
Sean "Bennett" Bennett
36
New York City
Automotive Spokesperson
Eliminated March 4
Sarina Weeraprajuk
31
West Covina, California
Wedding photographer
Erica Weidner
53
Long Beach, New York
Court Reporter Student
Eliminated February 26
Robert "Bob" Tamke
44
Massapequa Park, New York DJ
Sherrill Moss-Solomon
55
New York City
Fundraiser
Eliminated February 19
Rachel Margolin
31
New York City
Night Club Promoter
Richard Chen
55
Rego Park, New York
Attorney
Eliminated February 12
Libby Floyd
46
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
ShopNBC host[ 10]
Contestant progress
Contestant
Episode
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Kelli WIN
IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
BTM
WIN
BTM
WIN
WIN
WIN
WIN
WINNER
Vinnie IN
WIN
WIN
IN
IN
IN
WIN
IN
BTM
IN
BTM
WIN
WIN
RUNNER-UP
Melissa IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
IN
WIN
IN
OUT
David IN
IN
IN
BTM
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
IN
WIN
BTM
IN
OUT
Tiffany WIN
IN
IN
WIN
IN
BTM
BTM
IN
BTM
IN
OUT
Dorothy IN
IN
WIN
IN
BTM
WIN
IN
WIN
WIN
WIN
OUT
Anthony IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
WIN
OUT
Benjamin IN
IN
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
IN
IN
OUT
Bennett IN
IN
BTM
BTM
WIN
BTM
OUT
Sarina BTM
IN
IN
IN
BTM
IN
OUT
Erica IN
IN
BTM
IN
OUT
Bob IN
WIN
IN
IN
OUT
Sherrill IN
BTM
OUT
Rachel BTM
BTM
OUT
Richard OUT
Libby OUT
Key
(WINNER) This contestant won the competition and was crowned "Best of the Worst". (RUNNER-UP) The contestant was the runner-up in the finals of the competition. (WIN) The contestant did the best on their team in the week's Main Dish challenge and was considered the winner. (BTM) The contestant was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Main Dish challenge, but was not eliminated. (OUT) The contestant lost that week's Main Dish challenge and was out of the competition
Season 4: 2013
Recruits
Contestant
Age
Hometown
Occupation
Status
Alina Bolshakova
28
Riga, Latvia
Caretaker/Actress[ 11]
Winner March 31
Rasheeda Brown
30
Germantown, Maryland Correctional Officer Runner-up March 31
Chet Pourciau
40
New Orleans, Louisiana
Interior Designer
Eliminated March 24
Suzanne "Sue" Mangogna
42
Northport, New York
Single Mother
Carla Johnson
47
Long Beach, California
Alcohol & Drug Counselor
Eliminated March 17
Michael Haydin
25
Rye Brook, New York
Accountant
Carrie Lee Riggins
32
Carmel, New York
Ballerina /Actress[ 12] Eliminated March 10
Crystal Lonneberg
30
Weehawken, New Jersey
Actress/Artist[ 13]
Aadip Desai
36
Sacramento, California
Writer/Musician[ 14]
Eliminated March 3
Alex Stein
26
Dallas, Texas
Bail Bondsman
Michael "Big Mike" Paul
24
Thomson, Georgia
Woodworker
Eliminated February 24
Robert "Dr. Bob" Schaefer
58
Pleasant Hill, California
Chiropractor
Tim Burger
42
Novi, Michigan
Former Marine
Eliminated February 17
Diana De Rosa
62
Huntington, New York
Photographer
Contestant progress
Contestant
Episode
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Alina BTM
WIN
WIN
IN
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
WIN
IN
WIN
WINNER
Rasheeda IN
IN
BTM
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
WIN
BTM
WIN
WIN
RUNNER-UP
Chet WIN
IN
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
IN
WIN
BTM
IN
OUT
Sue IN
IN
WIN
BTM
BTM
IN
BTM
IN
WIN
WIN
OUT
Carla IN
IN
BTM
WIN
IN
BTM
BTM
WIN
OUT
Michael WIN
IN
IN
BTM
WIN
IN
BTM
IN
OUT
Carrie Lee IN
IN
IN
BTM
BTM
IN
OUT
Crystal
IN
WIN
IN
IN
IN
BTM
OUT
Aadip IN
IN
IN
IN
OUT
Alex IN
IN
IN
IN
OUT
Mike IN
BTM
OUT
Bob BTM
BTM
OUT
Tim OUT
Diana OUT
Key
(WINNER) This contestant won the competition and was crowned "Best of the Worst". (RUNNER-UP) The contestant was the runner-up in the finals of the competition. (WIN) The contestant did the best on their team in the week's Main Dish challenge and was considered the winner. (BTM) The contestant was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Main Dish challenge, but was not eliminated. (OUT) The contestant lost that week's Main Dish challenge and was out of the competition.
Season 5: 2014
Recruits
Contestant
Age
Hometown
Occupation
Status
Amber Brauner
37
Redlands, California
Tattoo Artist
Winner March 31
Jamie Thomas
41
New York City
Flight Attendant
Runner-up March 31
Daniel "Danny" Beyda
43
Long Island, New York
Radiologist
Eliminated March 24
Mike Glazer
30
Chicago, Illinois
Writer
Carie Pullano-Keller
34
Chester, Virginia
Promotional Model
Eliminated March 17
Stephanie St. Aubin
26
Washington, DC
Secretary
Carol Holder
64
New York City
Real Estate Broker
Eliminated March 10
Danielle Ruiz-Wiley
25
Staten Island, New York
Stay at Home Mom
Joe Slaughter
28
Los Angeles, California
Actor/Dancer
Eliminated March 3
Ken Hsu
29
Seattle, Washington
Personal Trainer
Benjamin "Benji" Hunter Brown III
29
Nashville, Tennessee Live Music Booking Agent
Eliminated February 24
Lance Green
31
New York City
Music Producer
Casey Pentony
26
Hollywood, California
Nurse
Eliminated February 16
Muneerah Warner
33
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Abstinence Advisor
Contestant progress
Contestant
Episode
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Amber WIN
IN
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
BTM
WIN
IN
WIN
WINNER
Jamie WIN
IN
WIN
BTM
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
WIN
WIN
RUNNER-UP
Mike IN
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
IN
IN
BTM
WIN
OUT
Danny IN
IN
BTM
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
BTM
IN
OUT
Carie IN
IN
IN
S/W IN
IN
BTM
OUT
Stephanie IN
IN
BTM
S/W IN
WIN
IN
OUT
Carol IN
WIN
IN
BTM
BTM
IN
OUT
Danielle IN
WIN
IN
IN
BTM
WIN
OUT
Ken IN
IN
IN
IN
OUT
Joe IN
IN
WIN
IN
OUT
Benji BTM
IN
OUT
Lance BTM
IN
OUT
Casey OUT
Muneerah OUT
Key
(WINNER) This contestant won the competition and was crowned "Best of the Worst". (RUNNER-UP) The contestant was the runner-up in the finals of the competition. (WIN) The contestant did the best on their team in the week's Main Dish challenge and was considered the winner. (BTM) The contestant was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Main Dish challenge, but was not eliminated. (OUT) The contestant lost that week's Main Dish challenge and was out of the competition. (S/W) Anne's team won the challenge and she decided to switch Stephanie over to Bobby's team and in return she decided to steal Carie for her team.
Season 6: 2015
Tyler Florence joins Anne Burrell to host seasons 6, replacing Bobby Flay after 3 seasons. The season premiered on January 4, 2015 to 2,123,000 viewers.[ 15] [ 16] [ 17] [ 18] [ 19]
Recruits
Contestant
Age
Hometown
Occupation
Status
Kristen Redmond
25
Nashville, Tennessee
Musician
Winner February 15
Genique Freeman
33
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Esthetician
Runner-up February 15
Leopold "Leo" Nunan
36
West Hollywood, California
Performance Artist
Eliminated February 8
Sarah Bettendorf
33
Los Angeles, California
Art Teacher
Norman Wilson
46
Detroit, Michigan
Executive Protection
Eliminated February 1
Sharif Dean
27
Los Angeles, California
Personal Trainer
David Eric Rosenberg
51
Las Vegas, Nevada
Theatre Usher
Eliminated January 25
Kortni Montgomery
25
Houston, Texas
Customer Service Rep
Michael "Six" Muldoon
25
Queens, New York
Magician
Eliminated January 18
Mike Kennedy
45
Scottsdale, Arizona
Private Investigator
Stephanie Streisand*
25
Los Angeles, California
Writer
Disqualified January 11
Susie Babin
61
Bush, Louisiana
Retired
Eliminated January 11
Jason Dixon
30
Chicago, Illinois
Artist
Eliminated January 5
Christina Oster
38
Zion, Illinois
Single Mom
Contestant Stephanie Streisand was deemed too ill to continue on January 11
Contestant progress
Contestant
Episode
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Kristen IN
WIN
WIN
IN
IN
WIN
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
WINNER
Genique IN
IN
WIN
IN
IN
WIN
IN
IN
WIN
WIN
RUNNER-UP
Leo IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
IN
WIN
IN
BTM
OUT
Sarah WIN
IN
IN
BTM
BTM
IN
WIN
WIN
BTM
OUT
Norman WIN
IN
IN
IN
BTM
IN
BTM
WIN
OUT
Sharif IN
WIN
BTM
WIN
IN
IN
BTM
IN
OUT
David BTM
IN
BTM
IN
WIN
BTM
OUT
Kortni BTM
IN
BTM
BTM
WIN
BTM
OUT
Six IN
IN
IN
IN
OUT
Mike IN
BTM
IN
IN
OUT
Stephanie IN
IN
ILL
Susie IN
BTM
OUT
Jason OUT
Christina OUT
Key
(WINNER) This contestant won the competition and was crowned "Best of the Worst". (RUNNER-UP) The contestant was the runner-up in the finals of the competition. (WIN) The contestant did the best on their team in the week's Main Dish challenge or Skill Drill and was considered the winner. (BTM) The contestant was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Main Dish challenge, but was not eliminated. (OUT) The contestant lost that week's Main Dish challenge and was out of the competition. (ILL) The contestant became too ill to continue the competition and was disqualified
References
^ " . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved February 14, 2013 .^ " . Retrieved February 14, 2013 .^ "Worst Cooks in America: Red Team (Chef Anne Burrell)" . Retrieved February 14, 2013 .^ "Worst Cooks in America: Blue Team (Chef Beau MacMillan)" . Retrieved February 14, 2013 .^ Scattergood, Amy (March 16, 2010). "Casting Calls: Season 2 of Worst Cooks in America Wants You! – Los Angeles Restaurants and Dining – Squid Ink" . Blogs.laweekly.com. Retrieved August 1, 2012 . ^ "Food Network is looking for HOPELESS HOME COOKS!" . Worstcookscasting.wordpress.com. Retrieved August 1, 2012 .^ "Powered by Google Docs" . Docs.google.com. Retrieved August 1, 2012 .^ "Superstar Chefs Anne Burrell And Bobby Flay Transform Kitchen-Challenged Contestants in Season Three of Primetime Competition Series Worst Cooks in America" (pdf) . Food Network . Retrieved February 14, 2013 .^ "WORST COOKS IN AMERICA: Season Three – Contestant Overview" (pdf) . Retrieved February 14, 2013 .^ "National Television Host on Shop NBC" . Libby Floyd. Retrieved August 1, 2012 .^ "IMDB: Alina Bolshakova" . IMDB.com. Retrieved March 1, 2013 .^ "IMDB: Carrie Lee Riggins" . IMDB.com. Retrieved March 1, 2013 .^ "IMDB: Crystal Lonneberg" . IMDB.com. Retrieved March 1, 2013 .^ "IMDB: Aadip Desai" . IMDB.com. Retrieved March 1, 2013 .^ "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 25 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 1.4.2015" . Retrieved January 30, 2015 .^ "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 25 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 1.11.2015" . Retrieved January 30, 2015 .^ "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 25 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 1.18.2015" . Retrieved January 30, 2015 .^ "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 25 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 1.25.2015" . Retrieved January 30, 2015 .^ Kondolojy, Amanda (February 10, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Tops Night + 'Better Call Saul', 'Talking Dead', 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' & More" . TV by the Numbers . Retrieved February 10, 2015 .
External links
