FOOD NETWORK'S "HALLOWEEN WARS" IS BACK IN AN ALL NEW FRIGHTFULLY SPOOKY SEASON

Five Teams Set to Compete for $50,000 Grand Prize in Series Premiere October 4th

NEW YORK - September 8, 2015 - Halloween Wars is back for its fifth season premiering on Sunday, October 4th at 9pm ET/PT and it's more thrilling than ever. Under the watchful eye of host Rossi Morreale, five teams composed of a pumpkin carving expert, cake artist and sugar artist will battle it out as they create Halloween-themed edible displays that will send chills up your spine. In each episode, teams will face two grueling challenges. First, they'll face off in the Small Scare, where they must create a Halloween-themed design in just 45 minutes. One winning team gets an advantage in the big battle - the Spine Chiller. In the end, their creations will be judged by renowned cake decorator Shinmin Li and Emmy(R)-nominated make-up artist Brian Kinney, and a rotating panel of celebrity guest judges who are legends in the horror genre, including Robin Atkin Downes (The Strain), Benjamin Papac (The Walking Dead and upcoming film, GOOSEBUMPS), Bex Taylor-Klaus (MTV's Scream), and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. One team will be eliminated after each episode. In the end only one team will be declared Halloween Wars Champion, and walk away with a $50,000 grand prize.

Visit FoodNetwork.com/HalloweenWars to get to know the teams battling it out in this year's competition and take a look at top creepy creations from seasons past. Plus, can you guess your fave Food Network star's sweet-tooth cravings? Take our quiz to find out! Follow all the ghoulish creations at #HalloweenWars.

Episodes include:

Premiering Sunday, October 4th at 9pm ET/PT - SEASON PREMIERE! "Infestation" Halloween Wars returns, as five teams made up of an expert pumpkin carver, cake decorator, and sugar artist go to battle to create mind-blowing Halloween-themed displays, in hopes of winning the coveted title of Halloween Wars champion and a $50,000 grand prize. For the teams' first competition, they must create Halloween-themed displays that capture a terrifying infestation. In the end, one team will be eliminated. Special guest judge, actor Robin Atkin Downes, joins host Rossi Morreale and judges Brian Kinney, Shinmin Li.

Premiering Sunday, October 11th at 9pm ET/PT "Hybrid Horror" The four remaining teams made up of an expert pumpkin carver, cake decorator, and sugar artist compete to create mind-blowing Halloween-themed displays that show a mutated and terrifying hybrid horror. Judges Brian Kinney, Shinmin Li and special guest judge, actor Benjamin Papac from The Walking Dead, will help determine which team will be eliminated.

Premiering Sunday, October 18th at 9pm ET/PT "Grave Robber" Three remaining teams made up of an expert pumpkin carver, cake decorator, and sugar artist go to battle to create mind-blowing Halloween-themed displays that capture the horror that results from robbing a grave. Judges Brian Kinney, Shinmin Li and actress Bex Taylor-Klaus from MTV's Scream will help determine which two teams will move on to the final battle.

Premiering Sunday, October 25th at 9pm ET/PT -SEASON FINALE! "Undead Dinner Party" For the final battle, two teams made up of an expert pumpkin carver, cake decorator, and sugar artist go head-to-head to create terrifying and scream-worthy displays of an undead dinner party. Judges Brian Kinney, Shinmin Li and special guest judge Elvira, Mistress of the Dark help determine which team wins the $50,000 grand prize.

ABOUT ROSSI MORREALE:

Rossi Morreale is a television personality, producer and former college football player. He was born and raised in Arkansas and attended the University of Arkansas where he played football for the Razorbacks as starting wide receiver. Rossi has hosted numerous television shows including American Airgunner, Belly of the Beast, Can You Duet, Riding With Rossi, Tunnel of Fire and served as correspondent for EXTRA. He starred and produced his first movie, "Life's an Itch," in 2013. A Southern boy at heart, he currently resides in Redondo Beach, CA.

ABOUT SHINMIN LI:

Shinmin Li is a renowned cake decorator, who studied graphic design at The School of Visual Arts in New York City before attending Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney; earning her degree in Grande Patisserie in 2002.

ABOUT BRIAN KINNEY:

Brian Kinney is a primetime Emmy(R)-nominated makeup artist. Brian has worked in film, television, theater, and print for more than 12 years. Brian has made his mark in FX labs, on set, and in classrooms across the United States and Europe. His work can be seen regularly in feature films and television shows, such as The Purge: Anarchy, Insidious, CSI, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

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