Going viral

‘Worst Cooks’ welcomes the social-media savvy

New year, new you. This time each year, we hear a lot about New Year’s resolutions, whether it be losing weight, eating healthy or completing a big project. Some might even be thinking of quitting social media, but not Food Network — in fact, the cable channel seems to be doing the opposite in 2023.

The latest iteration of “Worst Cooks in America” premieres Sunday, Jan. 1, on Food Network and discovery+, and it kicks things off with a supersized 90-minute episode. One look at this season’s title, “Viral Sensations,” will give you a sense of the common thread linking all 12 competitors.

Indeed, this season’s competitors are all online influencers who can easily navigate social media, but they’re seemingly lost in a kitchen. Per Food Network: “from a paleontologist TikToker and pop culture trendsetters to the Louisiana woman who went viral after using Gorilla Glue in her hair, the cast is filled with larger-than-life personalities who are determined to win “likes” for their improving cooking skills.”

The competitors are: Rich Aronovitch (@richisfunny), Michael Judson Berry (@mjudsonberry), Tessica Brown (@im_d_ollady), David Chen (@davidchenofficial), Naje Elmore (@who_she_naje), Tina Kim (@kdramalogic), Adam Kreutinger (@adamkreutinger), Paris Nicholson (@parisnicholson), Eliza Petersen (@lizemopetey), Mitchell Ralston (@mrspooky13), Sabrina Rios (@abelinasabrina) and Nick Trawick (@nicktrawick13).

This time, celebrity chef Darnell Ferguson joins Anne Burrell — a regular fixture since the show debuted in 2010 — to head up the latest culinary boot camp, with Anne leading the red team and Darnell mentoring the blue one.

As in seasons past, the 12 recruits will have to prepare their signature dish in the season premiere, allowing Ferguson and Burrell to assess each one’s skill level. The main dish challenge consists of cooking chicken under a brick, and later the teams come together ahead of the weekly eliminations. Ultimately, the two most improved recruits will have to prepare (and serve) a restaurant-worthy meal in the Feb. 5 finale, at which time judges Karen Akunowicz, Kalen Allen and Leah Cohen will decide who wins the $25,000 prize.

But first, get to know the initial 12 recruits when “Worst Cooks: Viral Sensations” premieres Sunday, Jan. 1, on Food Network and discovery+.

Anne Burrell and Darnell Ferguson host “Worst Cooks: Viral Sensations”