Anne Burrell and New Co-Host Darnell Ferguson Transform Cast of Social Media Stars from Cooking Disasters to Kitchen Masters in “Worst Cooks in America: Viral Sensations”

The competitors are influencers online but clueless in the kitchen in Worst Cooks in America: Viral Sensations, premiering with a supersized 90-minute episode on Sunday, January 1st @ 8PM ET/PT on Food Network and discovery+. Anne Burrell is joined for the first time by Darnell Ferguson to lead culinary boot camp, where they take on the kitchen chaos, food fumbles, and culinary confusion of these trending competitors IRL. From a paleontologist TikToker and pop culture trendsetters to the Louisiana woman who went viral after using Gorilla Glue™ in her hair, the cast is filled with larger-than-life personalities who are determined to win “likes” for their improving cooking skills. With the red team led by Anne and blue by Darnell, this season’s competition is more buzz-worthy than ever, including challenges inspired by viral trends like Poke-Bowl-Go, Cake or Fake and Ice-Bucket trivia. In the end, only the most improved recruit left standing is awarded a $25,000 grand prize and bragging rights for their mentor.

“Worst Cooks is always a fun way to kick off the New Year – and taking these social media stars offline and into the kitchen is hilarious to watch,” said Jane Latman, President, Home & Food Content and Streaming, Warner Bros. Discovery. “Darnell is the perfect new mentor to join Anne in boot camp – this season delivers laughs, drama, and even culinary inspiration.”

The competitors are: comedian Rich Aronovitch @richisfunny (New York, New York); “QuarantTeaTime” actor Michael Judson Berry @mjudsonberry (Jersey City, New Jersey); Tessica Brown, known for her Gorilla Glue™ hair mishap, @im_d_ollady (Violet, Louisiana); flight attendant-by-day David Chen @davidchenofficial (Fort Lauderdale, Florida); singing sensation Naje Elmore @who_she_naje (Texarkana, Texas); K-drama and K-pop enthusiast Tina Kim @kdramalogic (Los Angeles, California); puppeteer Adam Kreutinger @adamkreutinger (Williamsville, New York); “Top 5 Hottest” trendsetter Paris Nicholson @parisnicholson (Miami, Florida); paleontologist TikToker Eliza Petersen @lizemopetey (West Jordan, Utah); “Mr. Spooky” Mitchell Ralston @mrspooky13 (Huntingdon Beach, California); YouTuber Sabrina Rios @abelinasabrina (Los Angeles, California) and Nick Trawick, known for his TikTok character “Kleptora,” @nicktrawick13 (Los Angeles, California).

In the supersized season premiere, Anne and Darnell welcome the twelve social media-savvy, but culinarily challenged recruits to boot camp. Before picking teams, Anne and Darnell kick off the competition by having the recruits make their baseline signature dish to show off their skills, or lack thereof, in the kitchen. Then in the main dish challenge, the recruits learn a unique way to cook chicken – under a brick! After assessing everyone’s skills, teams are chosen and the competition heats up leading to weekly eliminations. In upcoming episodes, boot camp is transformed into ancient Greece for souvlaki and grilled octopus challenges; culinary, physical, and mental skills are put to the test in a Survivor-inspired contest and fan-favorite recruits Marti Cummings and Peachez Iman-Cummings return. In the finale on Sunday, February 5th @ 8PM ET/PT, the two most improved recruits put their culinary skills to the test and serve a three-course restaurant quality meal to a panel of food experts. After a blind taste test, judges Karen Akunowicz, Kalen Allen, and Leah Cohen decide who wins $25,000 and bragging rights for their team leader.

Fans can get to know the recruits and get an extended look at Anne and Darnell’s boot camp demos at FoodNetwork.com/WorstCooks. Follow along with the competition on social media and learn the basics of cooking in boot camp using #WorstCooks.

Worst Cooks in America is produced by Objective Media Group America, an All3 Media America company.