In October 2005, the Food Network conducted a nation-wide search to find “The Next Food Network Star”. After reviewing almost 10,000 auditions, the field was narrowed to eight talented finalists who competed for a chance to win their own Food Network series. The finalists were put through an intense series of tests and challenges to see who could “take the heat”

The finalists were evaluated by a panel of judges, which analyzed the finalists' personality, performance, unique style and food and cooking knowledge. Carissa survived the intense competition up until the time where the group was whittled to two. The final two contestants, Reggie Southerland of Silver Lake, California and Guy Fieri from Santa Rosa, California filmed a pilot episode to show America what their show would be like and then America's viewers decided their fate.

Ultimately it was Guy Fieri, the restaurant owner from Santa Rosa who was the one who sautéed his way to the top! Congratulations to all eight finalists on an amazing and wonderful competition and experience.