FOOD NETWORK'S WILDLY POPULAR "WORST COOKS IN AMERICA" FRANCHISE TAKES ANOTHER BITE OF DESSERT WITH THE RETURN OF "WORST BAKERS IN AMERICA"

Lorraine Pascale and Jason Smith Lead a Fresh Batch of Recruits on the New Season, Premiering on Monday, July 22nd at 10pm ET/PT on Food Network

NEW YORK - June 13, 2019 - Lorraine Pascale and Jason Smith have their work cut out for them on the new season of Worst Bakers in America, as they try to transform eight kitchen disasters into baking masters. The intense five-week baking bootcamp begins on Monday, July 22nd at 10pm ET/PT, as Jason and Lorraine attempt to mold these masters of cake-wrecks and colossal cookie-fails into one vastly-improved pastry expert. Based on the recruits' performance and progress in a series of fast-paced baking challenges, they will be narrowed down each week until only two are left standing to face off in an intense battle. Only one will be the most improved and will rise to the top and earn the $25,000 grand prize.

"The baking blunders and mishaps of the recruits add dramatic comedy to the competition as they struggle to become better bakers on the new season of Worst Bakers in America," said Courtney White, President, Food Network. "It's no cakewalk for Lorraine Pascale and Jason Smith, but they are determined to whip the recruits into baking masters, teaching them the skills and techniques required to succeed in each of the difficult challenges."

On the premiere, Jason and Lorraine task the recruits to recreate their dream dessert to help determine who they want to mentor on their team. Each week, the recruits will first be tested in skill drills and games from guessing surprise baking ingredients based on touch, tasting wild confections in blind taste tests, and decorating cakes against the clock in a speed relay race. The one that rises to the top will earn special advantages in the next round of challenges. Over the five weeks the competitors will be challenged to create multi-colored mirror glazed cakes, whip up p�te � choux pastries, and design 3-D animal cakes. The worst baker from each team that crumbles under the pressure will be eliminated.

The season culminates on Monday, August 19th at 10pm ET/PT when the two remaining recruits must put their new baking skills to use as they create a three-course dessert menu to impress special guests Dan Langan, Thiago Silva, and Melba Wilson. The one that has transformed the most will go home with the $25,000 grand prize and will make their leader proud!

Fans can meet the contestants and learn more about Jason and Lorraine at FoodNetwork.com/WorstBakers. Plus, follow #WorstBakers for the best show moments and memes, and watch the judges compete in fun challenges, taste tests and more.

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FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers' best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to nearly 100 million U.S. households and draws over 46 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine's rate base has grown 13 times and is the No. 2 best-selling monthly magazine on the newsstand, with 13.5 million readers. Food Network is owned by Discovery, Inc., a global leader in real life entertainment spanning 220 countries and territories; the portfolio also includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, TLC, Investigation Discovery, and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.