“Worst Cooks in America” is entering a new chapter. As Food Network prepares to launch Season 30 of the longtime hit series, the upcoming installment marks the first without beloved host Anne Burrell, whose larger-than-life presence helped define the show for more than a decade. The milestone season, titled “Worst Cooks in America: Reality Check,” honors the show’s roots while introducing a bold new twist: bringing reality TV stars, like “Dancing With the Stars” pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, into the kitchen for a chaotic, high-stakes culinary boot camp.
New Season of ‘Worst Cooks in America’
A new year will start with a new season and era of “Worst Cooks in America.” Season 30 premieres on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. This new season will bring in a new set of fearless stars to the kitchen.
After the death of Burrell earlier this year, this new season will be co-hosted by fan-favorite chef Jeff Mauro and restaurateur Tiffany Derry. The two will lead rival teams through an intense, entertainment-themed boot camp designed to turn bad cooks into confident cooks.
In the end, one chef-to-be will be named the winner, earning $25,000 for the charity of choice, in addition to bragging rights for their mentor.
Season 30 Cast
For this new season of “Worst Cooks in America,” it’s all about reality TV. The celebrity cast features people from music, sports, reality TV, and pop culture.
We have some big personalities and a chance for even bigger messes. The “Worst Cooks in America: Reality Check” cast is:
- Val Chmerkovskiy, “DWTS” pro dancer
- Lisa Barlow, “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City”
- Downtown Julie Brown, MTV VJ
- Reza Farahan, “Shahs of Sunset” and “The Valley: Persian Style”
- Amara La Negra, “Love & Hip Hop: Miami”
- Ryan Lochte, Olympic swimmer
- Manila Luzon, “RuPaul’s Drag Race”
- Romeo Miller, rapper/actor
- Beverly Mitchell, “7th Heaven”
- CT Tamburello, “The Challenge” and “The Traitors USA”
Sneak Peek at ‘Worst Cooks in America’ Season 30
A trailer for season 30 was shared by PEOPLE, which shows the contestants fumbling their way through these challenges. Whether they are overcooking dishes or undercooking them, dropping plates or starting fires, it’s all in the name of good fun.
While staring at a pile of dirty dishes, Derry states, “The mess over here, my goodness!” She then adds, “Obviously, none of them can cook, but can they understand flavors? Chef and I have our work cut out for us.”
The premiere will kick off with the contestants facing a baseline challenge. This will show Jeff and Tiffany just how dire (or possibly decent) their cooking skills really are. The task will be to create red carpet-worthy dishes.
The contestants that make it to the finale will have to prepare a three-course, restaurant-quality meal for guest judges. One will walk away with the $25,000 check for their charity.
“Worst Cooks in America: Reality Check” premieres Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network and streams the following day on HBO Max.
Watch the premiere with us during our LIVE RECAP here!
