HOLLYWOOD—What is it about “Food Network Star” each season that makes me giddy inside? Is it seeing unknowns transformed into superstars after weeks of grueling competition? Perhaps it’s just the idea of seeing what it takes to make it on the small screen. Lots of people can cook, but not everyone can be a great cook and entertainer at the same time.

I’ve seen many esteemed chefs cook fantastic dishes, but when that camera turns on they literally fall apart; it’s so haunting to watch at times I have to change the channel to avoid the embarrassment I feel for the contestants. Even during the season premiere I found myself having to change the channel while watching the hopefuls ‘introduce’ themselves to mentors Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis and Alton Brown.

Yes, these are a few Food Network staples that have made a name for themselves by being a unique presence. There is only one Bobby, one Giada and one Alton. No matter how hard so many others may try to fit that mold, it ain’t gonna happen. Year, after year, there tends to be standouts in week 1, in this case not so much.

The culinary point of view is limited in my opinion. There is only so much one can do to make themselves ‘stand out’ amongst the bunch. I must admit, I’m dying to see a fresh series tackle cooking in a format where it’s not about rehabbing a bar, a restaurant, a bakery or anything not pertaining to actual cooking in my opinion.

I’ve always thought a unique culinary point of view would be a cooking series dedicated to utilizing a specific fruit or vegetable in each episode in multiple dishes. I mean we aren’t eating enough fruits or veggies? This would be a creative way to make that happen right? I can already see someone snatching up this unique POV.

The network has taken a backseat to this lately, so this is a transition that is well needed in my opinion. We always have the health guru who aims to make eating healthy food exciting or the overweight person who has made lifestyle changes to slim down, but what else do we got?

Well for season 10, not as much as one would hope. We have those home cooks competing against experienced cooks and then there’s that oddball who you think should be on the show, but you want to see what transpires because they’re interesting to watch. While there are a few on the radar including Chris and Ayren, no contestant made me think, “Now that’s a star!”

Well, perhaps the one cook this season to watch out for is Lenny. He’s a cowboy with a personality unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and guess what he can cook! The one problem standing in Lenny’s way is the camera. Heck that tends to be every cooks worse nightmare. Once that camera comes on, they are forced to ‘engage’ the audience and not many people can do that without blinking more than once. It looks so easy on the outside looking in, but I’m certain if I was placed in those shoes I might freeze on the first take.

I’m hoping this season the audience is given a few twists or surprises we’ve yet to see. Last season we saw very little of the Network’s Susie Fogelson and Bob Tuschman, I’m hoping that doesn’t transpire as much this season. Those two are definitely game changers to the series in my opinion. They bring an authority that I enjoy watching, especially Susie. Perhaps, during the competition, the contestants will be broken up into groups with the mentors as in season eight. It created a competitive edge that was so enthralling to witness.

“Food Network Star” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on Food Network.