Worst Cooks In America Season 23: Info We Know So Far

Food Network's "Worst Cooks In America" debuted in 2010 with a near irresistible premise: "Twenty-four of the country's worst home cooks come to New York City, in hopes of participating in a ten-day Culinary Boot Camp with Chefs Beau MacMillan and Anne Burrell" (via IMDb). In a six-episode season that took the foodie world by storm, the original 24 were quickly whittled down to a group of 10 "recruits." The recruits were divided into two teams, one mentored by MacMillan, the other by Burrell. After a series of eliminations and guest appearances by judges such as Alex Guarnaschelli, just one was left standing: Rachel Coleman, the first best of the worst, who was mentored by Anne Burrell (via Food Network). 

Many years and many seasons later, Burrell has remained a constant presence, always mentoring the red team member. The blue team has been helmed by various celebrity chefs like Robert Irvine, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, Rachael Ray, Guarnaschelli, Carla Hall, and, most recently, Michael Symon. Although Symon's team didn't win the show's last season (Season 22), Symon himself made quite the impression on viewers, many of whom now anxiously await news of whether he will return for Season 23 — not to mention who will eventually take home the $25,000 prize (via Food Sided). Here's what we know so far about "Worst Cooks In America" Season 23.

Fans of Food Network's "Worst Cooks in America" are surely on the edge of their seats awaiting news of Season 23's release date. Season 22, which brought back eight all-stars from prior seasons to determine who would emerge as the best of the formerly worst and take home that $25,000 prize, started airing on April 25, 2021 (via Food Network). The finale aired on May 23 with an intense round that pitted Chef Anne Burrell's recruit, Sadie Manda, against Chef Michael Symon's recruit, Domaine Javier. Although Javier was the clear favorite going into the finals, Burrell's recruit, Manda, emerged triumphant in a surprising upset (via Food Sided).

Although May 23 wasn't all that long ago, we get that when you're anxious for your next "Worst Cooks" fix, time can appear to move a bit more slowly. But trust us when we tell you that Food Network is getting its ducks in a row, and as soon as we have the official release date, you will too.

Fans of Food Network's "Worst Cooks In America" were totally down with the addition of chef Michael Symon as the leader of the blue team, according to Cheat Sheet, which noted fans had taken to Reddit to rave about their love for 2008's Next Iron Chef on "Worst Cooks." 

"I adore Michael Symon. He seems really well-suited to the show and is definitely someone I'd want to learn from," said one. "He seems like he would be a lot of fun to just hang out and grab a beer with," remarked another. Perhaps most importantly, Symon was seen as a "much needed breath of fresh air" for the show's 22nd season. We feel it's safe to say that Anne Burrell will remain the one and only leader of the red team. But will Symon be Burrell's foil as blue team leader for Season 23? Food Network hasn't made the announcement, but one thing is certain: if Food Network wants to please the crowd, then we have to speculate that Symon will be back with a vengeance!

As for the rag-tag band of not-quite-hopeless home cooks? Perhaps you? Here's how to get cast on "Worst Cooks in America."

In its 10 years on Food Network, "Worst Cooks in America" has delivered 22 seasons worth of pathos crossed with hilarity — because who among us can't relate to being the kitchen version of the proverbial deer in the headlights at times? Even celebrity chefs can feel a bit out of their element when you drop them into an unfamiliar situation. Take, for example, that time long ago when chef Alex Guarnaschelli, who has served as both judge and mentor on "Worst Cooks In America," found herself in the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado, trying — fruitlessly — to get her potatoes to boil (which, as Chef Alex told Mashed, is surprisingly difficult due to Denver's high altitude). Of course, the same is true for non-chef celebrities who have, at times, made up the cast of "Worst Cook" recruits. 

The question is what will be the premise of "Worst Cooks In America" Season 23? Last season's all-star season gave us a look into what former successful recruits have learned since their time on the show, so it seems unlikely that Season 23 will involve another set of "all-stars." It could be another celebrity season, since the last "Celebrity Edition" aired more than a year ago in 2020. 

Even though Season 22 of "Worst Cooks In America" was a tremendous hit with viewers, whetting their appetite for, at the very least, more of chef Michael Symon as blue team leader, there has nevertheless been what can only be described as a severe and somewhat frustrating shortage of information about the beloved show's next season. So what to make of all the deafening silence from Food Network, Burrell, Symon, and anyone else who might be expected to know what's what? 

Given that "Worst Cooks In America" has been such a sensation over the decade-plus it's been on the air, and how much America appears to love watching Burrell, celebrity guest hosts and judges, and members of the culinary pantheon interact with hapless-but-ambitious home cooks, we think it's safe to speculate that this particular vehicle will continue its journey. Sure, awaiting official news of the next season of "Worst Cooks In America" may have us all on the edge of our seats. However, we have a very good feeling that Season 23 will be well worth the wait. Meanwhile, here is how you can re-watch every hilarious moment of past "Worst Cooks" seasons.