This week, the eight remaining finalists try to stand out from the pack, as they each must create a dynamic dish using the same humble ingredient – a russet potato – and then present their dish to camera. Then they must invent an original food product, to be sampled and critiqued by 50 food buyers…and to surprise guest Martha Stewart. The judging panel then must choose the next finalist to be eliminated on Sunday, June 15^th at 10pm ET/PT.

After a late night scavenger hunt and a grueling breakfast challenge where the finalists had to make a meal on a moving train, San Diego native Kevin Roberts was the second finalist eliminated in last night’s episode of “The Next Food Network Star.”  The remaining finalists include Nipa Bhatt (Victoria, MN), Jennifer Cochrane (Woonsocket, RI), Lisa Garza (Dallas, TX), Adam Gertler (Philadelphia, PA), Shane Lyons (Colorado Springs, CO), Aaron McCargo Jr. (Camden, NJ), Kelsey Nixon (North Ogden, UT) and Jeffrey Vaden (White Plains, NY).

Fans of The Next Food Network Star can make their voices heard, by logging on to www.FoodNetwork.com/Star and participating in the network’s first-ever “fan favorite” vote!  Viewers now have the opportunity to vote for their favorite contestants throughout the season. The finalist with the most votes will be crowned the “fan favorite” and will win assorted prizes.