Chopped All Stars

I usually don't publish press releases here, but this one amuses the heck out of me. In March, Chopped contestants are going to be some names you might know - including some of the Chopped judges. And some Food Network Regulars, too.

I'll be looking forward to this one.

Here's the what the press release said:

A Chopped event like no other, Chopped All-Stars features unbeatable drama, a $50,000 charitable cash prize and 16 celebrated chefs familiar to Food Network fans. In this fierce five-part competition hosted by Ted Allen, premiering March 6 at 9pm ET/PT, four chefs go head-to-head in each round with an unthinkable array of mystery basket ingredients.

The champion from each round advances to the finale for a chance at taking home the prize and coveted title. From teething biscuits and rabbit kidneys to dried hibiscus flowers and cobia, these chefs must crank up the heat and get creative to avoid the chopping block.

Competitors include Food Network stars like Anne Burrell and Duff Goldman, former contestants from The Next Food Network Star, recurring Chopped judges, and renowned chefs like Anita Lo and Jacques Torres. Judges for this special series include Chopped favorites Alex Guarnaschelli, Marcus Samuelsson, Marc Murphy, and Chris Santos.

“This fierce ‘All-Stars’ competition will feature some of the country’s top celebrity chefs along with viewer favorites from shows like The Next Food Network Star and The Next Iron Chef,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Programming & Production, Food Network. “With the stakes so high, these chefs will do whatever it takes, and all for a good cause.”

And this is the part that amused me - the lineup of competitors. Who do you think will win?

Part 1 – Brad Sorenson, Debbie Lee, Lisa Garza, Michael Proietti
Part 2 – Anne Burrell, Claire Robinson, Duff Goldman, Robert Irvine
Part 3 – Anita Lo, Beau MacMillan, Jacques Torres, Nate Appleman
Part 4 – Aaron Sanchez, Amanda Freitag, Geoffrey Zakarian, Maneet Chauhan
Part 5 – Final showdown featuring one winner from each round