BAKERS BATTLE IN HEATED FIRST SEASON OF CUPCAKE WARS

New Primetime Series Premieres June 15th at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network

NEW YORK - May 24, 2010 - It's cupcake vs. cupcake in Food Network's tastiest competition yet premiering Tuesday, June 15th at 9pm ET/PT! Each week on Cupcake Wars, four of the country's top cupcake bakers face off in three elimination challenges until only one decorator remains. The sweet prize: $10,000 and the opportunity to showcase their cupcakes at the winning gig. Whether a special Ace of Cakes anniversary celebration, a star-studded magazine party, or an A-list celebrity golf tournament, these Cupcakes Wars really heat up. Candace Nelson (owner of Sprinkles Cupcakes) and Florian Bellanger (chef and co-owner of online macaroon company MadMac) serve as permanent judges with a third rotating judge each week, and Justin Willman hosts.

For more information on Cupcake Wars, visit: www.foodnetwork.com/cupcakewars (launches 5/27).

Episodes include:

Premieres Tuesday, June 15th at 9pm ET/PT- SERIES PREMIERE!

"SeaWorld Birthday Bash"

Four creative cupcake bakers go head-to-head in hopes of having their sweets featured at a seaside birthday party. Contestants include: Lindsay Morton of Dollhouse Bakeshop Shoppe (Santa Monica, Calif.), Brett Thompson of Milk (Los Angeles), Allyson Fiander of Daddy Cakes (Topeka, Kan.) and Tracey Buchanan of Sweet Bakery & Caf� (Ellicot City, Md.).

Premieres Tuesday, June 22nd at ET/PT

"Match Making Party"

Four artistic cupcake bakers battle it out in an aphrodisiac-inspired challenge for the opportunity to have their mouth-watering treats featured at a star-studded magazine party. Contestants include: Chloe Coscarelli of chloecoscarell.com Chef Chloe (Los Angeles), Shannon Normand of Crushcakes Cupcakery (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Shayrin Badillo of Cupcakes Nouveau (Coral Gables, Fla.) and Jeff Bonilla of Cups (La Jolla, Calif.).

Premieres Tuesday, June 29th at 10pm ET/PT

"Ace of Cakes 100th Episode Celebration"

Four talented cupcake bakers vie for the chance to have their sweets displayed at an anniversary party for Ace of Cakes' 100th episode. Cake-master Duff Goldman shares his expertise as a guest judge and contestants include: Jessica Cuff of The Coffee Shop (Gilbert, Ariz.), Michael Centimore of Cupcake Charlies (Mashpee, Mass.), Alyssa Magliato of The Perfect Circle Cupcakery (Orange, Calif.) and Erica Tucker of Sweet E's Bake Shoppe (Los Angeles).

Premieres Tuesday, July 6th at 10pm ET/PT

"Survival of the Fittest"

Four creative cupcake bakers battle it out for the chance to have their over-the-top sugar displays featured at an L.A. museum. Contestants include: Lisa Cowden of Lulu's Cupcakes (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Wendy Jones of Whodidly Cupcakes (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Maria Tonko of Cupcakes & Co (Burbank, Calif.) and Jeff Martin of Smallcakes (Overland Park, Kan.).

Premieres Tuesday, July 13th at 10pm ET/PT

"George and Ann Lopez Charity Golf Tournament"

Four talented cupcake bakers vie for the chance to have their delicious displays featured at a charity golf challenge hosted by comedian George Lopez and wife Ann Lopez. Contestants include: Hollis Wilder of Sweet! (Orlando, Fla.), Karla Jennings of Sugar Cupcakery (Milford, Ohio), Catarah Hampshire of Southern Girl Desserts Delivery (Los Angeles) and Todd Becker of Beckers Bakery (Manhattan Beach, Calif.).

Premieres Tuesday, July 20th at 10pm ET/PT

"Cupcakes for a Cause"

Four artistic bakers vie for the chance to have their cupcakes featured at a charity event. Contestants include: Rebecca Ybarra of Suite 106 Cupcakery (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Kara Haspel of Kara's Cupcakes (San Francisco), Ivey Childers of Ivey Cakes (Franklin, Tenn.) and Lisa Donahue of For Heavens Cakes (Thousand Oaks, Calif.).

Premieres Tuesday, July 27th at 10pm ET/PT

"Film Festival Face-Off"

Four talented cupcake bakers battle it out for the chance to have their over-the-top sugar displays featured at a film festival. Contestants include: Arleen Scavore of Sweet Arlenes (Westlake Village, Calif.), Stefanie Gaxiola of Red Velvet Stefanie (Los Angeles), Zoey Devail of Bee Sweet Bakery Cupcakes (New Orleans, La.) and Johnny Mangamiotis of Mr. Cupcakes (Clifton, N.J.).

Premieres Tuesday, August 3rd at 10pm ET/PT

"Classic Cupcake Challenge"

Four creative bakers vie for the chance to have their cupcakes on display at a vintage-inspired event. Contestants include: Eileen Kerbel of Molly's Cupcakes (Chicago), Farshid Hakim of La Provence Patisserie Caf� (Beverly Hills, Calif.), Lindsay Esparza of Cupcakes (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Jasmine Frank of Jazzy Cakes (Sherman Oaks, Calif.).