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South Philadelphian will compete on Food Network’s ‘Worst Cooks in America’

Frank Scuderi, a South Philadelphia native now residing in Maple Shade, New Jersey, will compete on season 14 of the Food Network show, "Worst Cooks in America,". Scuderi will be in the running for a $25,000 prize.

Contender Frank Scuderi races to finish his shrimp stir fry with rice dish, as seen on Worst Cooks In America, Season 14.
Contender Frank Scuderi races to finish his shrimp stir fry with rice dish, as seen on Worst Cooks In America, Season 14.Read moreThe Food Network

Philadelphia is well known for its restaurant scene, which is both prolific and accessible, but now the city may receive a different kind of culinary attention. Frank Scuderi, a South Philadelphia native now residing in Maple Shade, New Jersey, will compete on season 14 of the Food Network show Worst Cooks in America. Scuderi will be in the running for a $25,000 prize.

Catch the local on the Food Network starting Sunday, August 19th at 4 p.m. The first two episodes will air on the 19th, and new episodes will air every Sunday.

Scuderi is described as an Italian dad who was raised on his mom's Sunday gravy and eggplant parm, and calls his lack of kitchen expertise a "huge sin." Hotdogs and hamburgers are more his speed, he says. He hopes that Worst Cooks will whip him into shape so that he will be able to recreate the cuisine of his childhood for Sunday dinners with his family.

Worst Cooks in America calls for people who think they are "the worst home cook to ever step foot in a kitchen,". The would-be-chefs are split into two teams, which are led by chefs Anne Burrell and Tyler Florence, both alumni of the Food Network. Before the chefs choose their teams, contestants compete in a boot camp to show off their skills — or lack thereof — by cooking their signature dish.

This season of Worst Cooks will feature guest appearances by Food Network personalities Gesine Prado and Jason Smith. The season finale, on Sunday, September 23rd at 9 p.m., will call for the two most-improved cooks to create a restaurant-ready meal for none other than David Burtka, Daphne Oz and Melba Wilson.