An Unprecedented Cooking Competition

When it comes to 100 Cooks, it's best to expect the unexpected; Food Network is calling the series “the most unpredictable pro-chef level cooking competition of all time.” Throughout the competition, each cook is randomly selected to demonstrate their culinary chops in a variety of challenges, from “best noodle dish battle” to a “rotisserie chicken face-off,” in the hopes of becoming the last cook standing.

Hungerford, who was a college athlete, felt the competition transported her back into the basketball arena. “It felt like I was sitting on the bench of a game just waiting to see if the coach was going to put me in,” Hungerford says.

The stakes for 100 Cooks are also higher than ever. “No other cooking show has had 100 home cooks competing against each other for that big of a grand prize money,” Hungerford says. Indeed, the cash prize for 100 Cooks is the largest in Food Network history: the last cook standing could take home as much as $250,000.

To guide these 100 home cooks through the competition, Food Network has assembled a superstar group, tapping actor Terry Crews as host and professional chefs Alex Guarnaschelli and Nick DiGiovanni as judges who are no strangers to cooking competitions.

United by a Love of Food and Cooking

While keeping track of 100 contestants may seem like a lot, there will be plenty for the viewers at home to root for and relate to. “The viewer at home wants to see home cooks," Hungerford says. “No one's been to culinary school. No one is a professional-level chef. It's just so real with so many home cooks being down there from all walks of life.”

Contestants also easily found rapport with each other, even among such a large group. “We kind of felt like one big family,” Hungerford says. “I think it's so beautiful that we were all brought together by our love for food and cooking. All the other contestants inspired me so much to try so many new things and techniques in the kitchen.”

Standing Out from the Crowd

With her screen time, Hungerford is excited to showcase the skills and philosophies she brings to the competition as a performance dietitian. “The philosophy and the unique perspective that I was bringing in was definitely the functionality of foods...this certain food enhances the absorption of this certain food, and knowing the science behind it,” Hungerford says. “I think it was a really neat perspective.”

Hungerford also hopes to challenge some common misconceptions about dietitians. "Everyone probably thinks that, like, 'Oh, you don't eat any carbs or any sugar,' and everything extreme like that,” she says. Instead, her approach focuses on balance and enjoyment. “I'm also not afraid of carbs, and no one else should be either. It's all about balance at the end of the day.”

Prepare for an Emotional Ride

Viewers won't have to wait too long to enjoy 100 Cooks; the first episode premieres tonight. But be warned: “You're going to feel all of the emotions,” Hungerford says. “You're going to feel your heartstrings being pulled, you're going to feel stressed, but you're also going to be laughing at other moments, too.”

Catch 100 Cooks on Sundays beginning June 7 at 9/8c on Food Network, available the next day on HBO Max.