Plot Synopsis

GORDON RAMSAY'S FOOD STARS is a one-hour reality series that puts food industry entrepreneurs through a multitude of challenges designed to showcase their business skills, test their drive and convince Gordon Ramsay they have what it takes to earn his personal investment of $250,000. Each week, the aspiring moguls are challenged in all aspects of running a food enterprise, including creating, marketing and selling to real customers. In addition to Ramsay, their progress is evaluated by guest judges and curated focus groups. As Ramsay pushes contestants to their limits, they'll have to prove they possess the raw ingredients required to succeed -- drive, dedication, creativity, passion and talent. Ramsay is prepared to put his money where his mouth is, by presenting the winner with an investment opportunity to take their idea to the next level. But to win Ramsay's support, it will take more than a great idea. They just need to survive Gordon Ramsay -- the only angel investor. The 15 Season 1 competitors include: Aaron Valentine (occupation: Founder of Snow Cone King; currently residing in: Mission Viejo, CA); Ashley Davies (Entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of Happy Grub; Norco, CA); Caroline D'Amore (Founder and CEO of Pizza Girl Inc.; Marina del Rey, CA); Chanel Goodson (Chef, Owner and Operator of Vegan AF; Los Angeles, CA); Chris Kanik (Founder and CEO of Smart Cups; Orange County, CA); Elisa Strauss (Cake Designer and Owner of Confetti Cakes; Larchmont, NY); Jake Aronskind (Founder and CEO of Pepper; Manhattan, NY); Jourdan Higgs (Head Chef and Owner of Provare Restaurant; Chicago, IL); Kagen Cox (Owner and Operator of Kagen Coffee & Crepes; Pasco, WA); Lan Ho (Founder and Owner of Fat Miilk; Chicago, IL); Luther Chen (Chef and Founder of Luther Bob's; Los Angeles, CA); Megan Meza (Entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of Bandida; Brooklyn, NY); Queen Precious-Jewel Zabriskie (Founder, CEO, Executive Chef and Spice Purveyor at Indulgent Essential Spices; Durham, NC); Sydney Webb (CEO and Co-Founder of Toto Foods, Inc.; Santa Monica, CA); and Tony Balestreri (Chef/Pitmaster & Founder/CEO of Tony B's Steak Chips; Chicago, IL).
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Season 2 of GORDON RAMSAY'S FOOD STARS premieres on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT on FOX, as Gordon Ramsay welcomes famed hospitality industry leader and TV personality Lisa Vanderpump for the new season. Ramsay and Vanderpump -- two prominent, influential personalities and tycoons in their respective industries -- will face-off as they each select food and beverage industry entrepreneurs to join their teams and then put them through a gauntlet of real-world challenges designed to showcase their business skills, test their drive and prove they have what it takes to become the next great culinary entrepreneur. As for Ramsay vs. Vanderpump, the ultimate outcome will be whose mentorship leads to victory for one of their team's FOOD STARS hopefuls. Ramsay and Vanderpump will each bring their expert knowledge and unique leadership styles to the competition, and in a first-of-its kind twist, the entrepreneurs will pitch themselves and their products, services or business ideas to the moguls, who will then choose contestants to build their respective teams. The battle commences as teams are put through "Business Bootcamp," designed to test their tenacity, initiative, perseverance and ambition as business leaders. With a $250,000 prize on the line, these entrepreneurs will be challenged in all aspects of running a food or beverage enterprise, including re-marketing a food product, innovating a new product, building brand loyalty, sales pitching and management. In addition to Ramsay and Vanderpump, the challenges will be evaluated by guest judges, curated focus groups and customer feedback, profit and loss metrics, and market and corporate feedback.

"Lisa is a tough, shrewd restaurateur and TV star," said Ramsay. "She is a real force in business and true friend. However, make no mistake, the competition will be fierce between us!"

"Gordon is quite literally larger-than-life, an iconic figure and a dear friend," said Vanderpump. "Setting that aside, we're both tenacious, tireless, competitive and demanding of ourselves and others, so while I salute the man and his many successes and defer to his mastery in the kitchen, I will never defer to him on this show. Game on, Gordon!"