Fifteen eager Food Network Star finalists arrive at Hollywood's famous Grauman's Chinese Theater where they meet each other for the first time and are welcomed by Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis. For their first Camera Challenge, the finalists must create a breakfast dish that reflects their personality and culinary point of view. Their first Star Challenge finds them shooting promos for their shows as well as cooking for a panel of Hollywood's press, including Mario Lopez from television's Extra. The first finalist is sent packing.

The 14 remaining finalists must create a pizza that reflects their culinary point of view. A surprise elimination shocks the finalists. The pressure is really on for the group during the Star Challenge when they have to cook in front of a panel of Food Network superstars!

The finalists have their work cut out for them during the Camera Challenge when they must use a sweet Hershey's product to turn dessert into dinner. Special guests Duff Goldman and Michael Symon challenge the finalists to create a Dueling Desserts party. When the finalists are split into two teams, tension mounts as they struggle to work together to beat their opponents and save themselves from elimination.

Food Network Star alum Melissa d'Arabian challenges the finalists to use a Kellogg's product to create sophisticated and impressive hors d'oeuvres for a surprise guest. Paula Deen makes a surprise visit to the Food Star Kitchen. At the Star Challenge, the finalists go Hollywood as they team up to feed the cast and crew of the hit show Cougar Town.

Guy Fieri rolls up in his classic red Camaro to guide the finalists through a segment of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Then the finalists head out to a Fourth of July bash where they must re-create American classic dishes AND perform their first cooking demo on stage.