Chefs Alex Guarnaschelli and Gabe Bertaccini Welcome Twelve Up-and-Coming Culinary Stars to Italy in “Ciao House” Season Two

Twelve rising culinary stars travel to the coastal paradise of Puglia in Southern Italy for a life-changing adventure where they must prove their mastery of Italian cooking techniques and dishes in season two of Ciao House, premiering Sunday, May 19th @ 8PM (all times ET/PT) on Food Network. Led by network all-star Chef Alex Guarnaschelli and born-and-bred Italian Chef Gabe Bertaccini, the competitors’ cooking skills, personal rivalries and strategic alliances are tested like never before as they battle in the kitchen as individuals and in teams while living together in a majestic 16th-century villa. From cooking with fresh whole fish just caught by local fishermen to creating unique salumi and formaggi platters using the best regional ingredients, the inspiration for each challenge is steeped in Southern Italy’s culture, history, and traditions. In the end, only one chef is named Capo di Casa and wins the ultimate prize: an immersive culinary education across Italy, training with acclaimed Italian master chefs. In advance of Ciao House, the five-episode tournament Chopped: Battle Italiano, also with Guarnaschelli and Bertaccini judging, premieres Tuesday, April 30th @ 8PM ET/PT.

“Our audience fell in love with Ciao House in the show’s first season set in Tuscany and we knew we had to find another incredible food region in Italy for season two – and Puglia really delivers,” said Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food, Warner Bros. Discovery. “The coastal city and its unique food culture is unparalleled and makes it the perfect locale for this high-stakes competition.”

This season’s competitors are: Ivan Barros (Los Angeles, California); Zev Bennett (Miami, Florida); Maria Bregatta (Burlington, Vermont); Austin Cobb (Playa Grande, Costa Rica); Devan Cunningham (Phoenix, Arizona); Tiana Gee (Los Angeles, California); Hanna Haar (Montauk, New York); Drew Keane (Chicago, Illinois); Shannon Odom (Haico, Texas); Jan Parker (Tacoma, Washington); Phuoc Vo (Tampa, Florida) and Stikxz Williams (Queens, New York).

“The competition on Ciao House is on another level and I’ve seen my fair share of competitions,” said Guarnaschelli. “These chefs are not only testing their culinary skills – they are living together as a family, so personal relationships, rivalries, and loyalties affect each challenge. Winning could change the course of their career, so the stakes are high for everyone.”

“In Italy, eating and cooking is one of the highest forms of cultural activity. Growing up there surrounded by my family’s love for food and training in some of the best Italian kitchens made me the chef I am today,” said Bertaccini. “Seeing these competitors immerse themselves in the beauty of the land, the fresh ingredients, and food traditions is not only exciting to watch, but especially it gives me great pride.”

In the two-hour premiere episode, hosts Alex Guarnaschelli and Gabe Bertaccini – who also serve as judges – welcome twelve talented chefs to an ancient grand villa in Puglia where they will live, cook and compete against each other, fusing their own culinary styles with Italian cuisine. In the first challenge, each competitor must make a dish that showcases who they are as a chef and exemplifies their unique take on Italian cuisine. The winner and runner-up are named team captains for the next challenge, which focuses on the fresh fish and seafood that are a staple in Puglia – the region with the longest seacoast in Italy. Then in the first elimination round, one chef is voted out of the villa by their own team and eleven chefs remain. Upcoming episodes include a trip to Lecce to meet real-life nonnas who specialize in pasta rolling, a challenge inspired by the city’s annual pizza festival judged by a festival pizzaiolo, and a lesson in bread baking at a local Lecce bakery. In the two-hour finale on Sunday, June 23rd @ 8PM the last chefs standing must prepare a three-course fine dining experience and only one wins the ultimate grand prize: an immersive culinary education across Italy, training with renowned Italian master chefs.

To get ready for the new season of Ciao House, fans can also catch Alex Guarnaschelli and Gabe Bertaccini as judges in the all-new tournament Chopped: Battle Italiano premiering Tuesday, April 30th @ 8PM. The five-part event celebrates the wonderful culinary gifts of Italy, one distinctive, delicious region at a time from Tuscany to Puglia and Emilia-Romagna to Veneto, as fierce contenders battle for the chance to defend their territory in the finale.

Viewers can head to Food Network’s social pages to join Alex and Gabe on-set in Puglia, and learn the what’s, why’s and how’s of local ingredients like mozzarella and pasticiotti, with on-location videos featuring local shop owners. Plus, fans can follow #CiaoHouse to get all-new Italian recipes from Gabe and meet the cats living at the villa.

Ciao House is produced by Super Delicious for Food Network. Chopped: Battle Italiano is produced by Notional, LLC for Food Network.