This season featured thirteen contestants rather than twelve; the thirteenth contestant, Martita Jara (who originally appeared in the series' eighth season), was chosen via a three-week spin-off series called Comeback Kitchen, where seven former Food Network Star contestants competed for a chance to participate in season 12 of the main series.[2]Comeback Kitchen was hosted by chef Tyler Florence and chef/actressValerie Bertinelli; and it premiered on May 8, 2016,[1] although it initially became available on demand in some markets in April 2016.[3] This season also continued the inclusion of Star Salvation, a six-week[4]webseries that featured the most recently eliminated contestant competing against the remaining previously eliminated contestants for a chance to re-enter the main Food Network Star competition.
Unlike previous seasons, executives Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson did not assist in the judging; nor did chief executive Brooke Johnson appear in the finale to introduce the winner (Tuschman left Food Network and Johnson retired prior to the start of the season).[5][6]
^Note 1 : Because of the challenge outcome, the judges did not select a winning team. Instead, they identified the three best individual cooks. ^Note 2 : Yaku returned to the competition after winning Star Salvation.
^Note 3 : Melissa did not appear in the finale. ^Note 4 : Damiano was eliminated from the final three midway through the finale.
(WINNER) The contestant won the competition and thus became the next Food Network Star.
(RUNNER-UP) The contestant made it to the finale, but did not win.
(HIGH) The contestant was one of the selection committee's favorites for that week.
(IN) The contestant performed well enough to move on to the next week.
(LOW) The contestant was one of the selection committee's least favorites for that week, but was not eliminated.
(OUT) The contestant was the selection committee's least favorite for that week, and was eliminated.
