Food Network’s competition series Food Network Star returns for a twelfth season on Sunday, May 22nd at 9pm ET/PT, with culinary icons Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay looking to discover the next promising food television star. Thirteen talented culinary hopefuls are put through the ringer this season, battling it out in challenges that not only test their kitchen skills but also their on-camera chops, to find out who has the talent and charisma to follow in Giada and Bobby’s footsteps and win the ultimate prize: their own Food Network show. New this year, Food Network Star: Comeback Kitchen, co-hosted by Valerie Bertinelli and Tyler Florence, premieres on Sunday, May 8th at 8pm ET/PT, with seven former Food Network Star finalists returning to compete over three episodes for a coveted spot as the thirteenth finalist within season twelve’s premiere. Web-series Star Salvation, hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli and last season’s Food Network Star winner Eddie Jackson, returns again to give one eliminated finalist the opportunity to rejoin the competition during the season. The Food Network Star season twelve winner will be crowned on Sunday, July 31st at 9pm ET/PT.
Starting May 8th on Food Network Star: Comeback Kitchen, seven unforgettable former finalists enter the Star kitchen for another shot at stardom. When co-hosts Valerie Bertinelli and Tyler Florence introduce the first challenge, the competitors are forced to face their pasts by attempting to redeem the dish that was the downfall in their respective season. The alumni must then shoot a one minute “Where Are They Now?” video, updating viewers on what they’ve been up to and how they’ve improved since their Food Network Star appearance. Through three episodes, Valerie and Tyler determine who has earned a spot on the new season of Food Network Star.
In the May 22nd season premiere of Food Network Star, the finalists must shoot a 30-second screen test to give viewers a quick culinary preview of what they are all about. The videos debut during a VIP event at a luxury theater in Los Angeles in front of an audience; but when Bobby and Giada surprise the finalists with news that the Food Network Star: Comeback Kitchen winner will also join the competition, how will they handle this twist? Comeback Kitchen hosts Valerie Bertinelli and Tyler Florence help Giada and Bobby decide who will be the first to be sent home. During the season the finalists encounter challenges that not only test their culinary skills, but also their on-camera presence, from trying their hand at delivering food reports for Entertainment Tonight co-hosts Nancy O’Dell and Kevin Frazier, to shooting a promo for their own show, the finalists are challenged to not only create great food but great TV.
“Viewers will be inspired watching these competitors pull out all the stops as they follow their dreams of becoming a Food Network Star,” said Didi O’Hearn, Senior Vice President Programming, Food Network & Cooking Channel. “With Bobby and Giada leading the action, joined by an amazing group of world-class guest judges, the suspense of the season will be rivaled only by the big personalities and talent these finalists display.”
The finalists competing this season are: Rob Burmeister (Staten Island, NY); Erin Campbell (Woodbury, MN); Damiano Carrara (Moorpark, CA); Aaron Crumbaugh (Spokane, WA); Tregaye Fraser (Atlanta, GA); Yaku Moton-Spruill (San Francisco, CA); Melissa Pfeister (Los Angeles, CA); Ana Quincoces (Coral Gables, FL); Monterey Salka (Nashville, TN); Joy Thompson (Thomasville, NC); Havird Usry (Augusta, GA); Jernard Wells (Atlanta, GA), and the winner of Food Network Star: Comeback Kitchen. Comeback Kitchen competitors battling it out to join the new season are Penny Davidi (season 7); Matthew Grunwald (season 11); Martita Jara (season 8); Brianna Jenkins (season 6); Chris Kyler (season 10); Michele Ragussis (season 8) and Dominick Tesoriero (season 11).
Throughout the season, Bobby and Giada are joined by special guests who help determine who has what it takes to be the next face of Food Network including, Anne Burrell, Food Network Magazine Editor-in-Chief Maile Carpenter, Haylie Duff, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Guy Fieri, Duff Goldman, Hannah Hart, Robert Irvine, Ali Larter, Katie Lee, Tia Mowry, Lorraine Pascale, Rev Run, Aarti Sequeira, Donal Skehan, Trisha Yearwood and Internet stars Rhett & Link.
Web series Star Salvation returns on Sunday, June 12th and goes live just after Star’s east coast airing. Available on FoodNetwork.com/Salvation and hosted by last season’s Food Network Star winner Eddie Jackson and Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, the six-episode culinary contest gives one eliminated finalist a chance to re-enter the competition. The winner will re-enter Food Network Star on Sunday, July 24th.
This season once again features a fully-integrated, multi-platform partnership with Volkswagen, woven throughout the season and helping to drive the action of this extraordinary competition. A Food Network Star must excel on many fronts, and having the right partners, tools and expert guidance in place allows this season’s group of finalists to compete at the level they need in their bid for stardom.
For more Food Network Star, fans can visit FoodNetwork.com/Star all season long for exclusive interviews, video, blogs, behind-the-scenes footage, photo galleries and more. Fans can also connect with each other and the show’s stars on Facebook at Facebook.com/FoodNetwork and on Twitter with the hashtag #FoodNetworkStar.
Food Network Star is produced by LEG/Triage Entertainment.
Genre: Crime Thriller / Mystery
Run Time: Approximately 123 minutes
Studio: SRT Entertainments
Where to Watch: Streaming now on Aha (Telugu OTT platform)
Director: Ashok Teja
Writer: Sampath Nandi
Lead Cast: Hebah Patel, Vasishta N. Simha, Sai Ronak, Poojitha Ponnada, and George Maryan
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Odela is a gripping Telugu-language crime thriller that weaves the mysticism of rural India with the suspense of a murder mystery. Based on true events, the film is set in the culturally rich village of Odela, where a series of brutal murders shakes the community. When fear takes over, the villagers believe the killings are the work of a supernatural force, but a determined young trainee IPS officer decides to uncover the truth.
Ashok Teja makes a confident directorial debut, and with the support of seasoned writer Sampath Nandi, the film blends folklore and investigative elements seamlessly. The narrative doesn’t rely on jump scares or gore but rather on tension, cultural realism, and atmosphere, making it stand apart from typical crime thrillers.
Vasishta N. Simha delivers a strong and brooding performance as the local suspect whose silence hides secrets. Hebah Patel brings depth and credibility to her role as the determined officer, breaking stereotypes of female leads in regional thrillers. Sai Ronak and George Maryan round out the cast with solid support, while Poojitha Ponnada adds emotional texture to the story.
The cinematography captures the beauty and eeriness of the village setting, while the score subtly enhances the suspense. What truly stands out is the film’s effort to incorporate the Odela temple culture and beliefs into its storyline, making the mystery feel both grounded and unique.
Unique Setting: Odela village and its spiritual legacy are treated with respect, giving the film a haunting authenticity.
Strong Female Lead: Hebah Patel’s character is refreshingly written and well-acted.
Tight Storytelling: No unnecessary detours or filler content; the movie maintains its pace and tension throughout.
Cultural Depth: Balances folklore and realism without leaning too heavily on superstition.
Rating: 8/10
Odela is a tightly woven, atmospheric thriller that doesn’t rely on spectacle but rather storytelling and culture. It’s a solid step forward for Telugu cinema in the crime-thriller space and worth a watch for fans of mystery films that respect both narrative and regional authenticity.
“Vidaamuyarchi,” now streaming on Netflix, is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language action thriller directed and written by Magizh Thirumeni. Produced by Subaskaran Allirajah under Lyca Productions, the film boasts a runtime of 150 minutes. The narrative follows Arjun (Ajith Kumar) on a relentless quest to rescue his wife Kayal (Trisha Krishnan) after she is abducted by a mysterious group in Azerbaijan. The ensemble cast includes Arjun Sarja, Regina Cassandra, and Arav in pivotal roles.
Drawing inspiration from the 1997 American film “Breakdown,” “Vidaamuyarchi” offers a familiar storyline but is elevated by compelling performances. Ajith Kumar delivers a commendable portrayal of a husband battling against time and adversities, while Trisha Krishnan effectively captures the emotional depth of her character. The film’s cinematography by Om Prakash enhances the tension and atmosphere, and Anirudh Ravichander’s music complements the narrative’s intensity.
However, the film’s predictability and pacing issues may deter some viewers. Despite these shortcomings, “Vidaamuyarchi” provides an engaging experience for fans of the action thriller genre.
Rating: 6.5/10
Only one man has the particular set of skills… to lead Police Squad and save the world! Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) follows in his father’s footsteps in THE NAKED GUN, directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and from producer Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy). Joining the cast are Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, with Danny Huston.
only in theatres August 1st.
A Riveting Rural Whodunit Rooted in Tradition Movie
VidaayMuyarchi
Justice has a new Daddy. Watch the new trailer for NakedGun,
Fifteen years after the original animated film took flight, this live-action adaptation proves that its story is as powerful and relevant as ever.
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