Eddie got booted on this week's show; Melissa's still in the running.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to compete on “The Next Food Network Star,” take note: Even as the current seasoning is airing, producers are gearing up to assemble the next cast/contestant pool.

Tryouts will be held in Chicago July 12 and in seven other cities. If you don’t try out in person, you can submit a video. Here’s the press release announcing the details:

FOOD NETWORK OPENS CASTING FOR 2010 SEASON OF “THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR”

Conducting Open-Call Auditions in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, Phoenix, San Diego and Austin

NEW YORK - June 22, 2009 - Food Network has greenlit a sixth season of its highest-rated reality series, The Next Food Network Star, the network announced today. With the current season going strong on-air, the cabler is already looking for outstanding chefs and home cooks to compete for the opportunity to win his or her own Food Network series during the 2010 season.

The network will conduct a nationwide talent search and encourages both professional and amateur chefs to apply. Open-call auditions will be held around the country throughout July and August. Contestant hopefuls should bring an application, photograph, and resume and/or bio to the auditions, which will allow them to meet with network casting directors. Interested candidates unable to attend an open casting call may submit a three-minute audition video explaining why he or she should be Food Network’s newest star. For applications, contest rules, and submission instructions simply visit www.FoodNetwork.com/Star.

Casting locations will include:

Phoenix, AZ - Wednesday, July 8, 2009 from 10am-4pm

Embassy Suites Phoenix/Scottsdale

4415 East Paradise Village Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85032

Chicago, IL - Sunday, July 12, 2009 from 10am-4pm

Affinia Chicago Hotel

166 East Superio, Chicago, IL 60611

Austin, TX - Friday, July 17, 2009 from 10am-4pm

Hyatt Regency Downtown

208 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704

San Francisco, CA - Sunday, July 26, 2009 from 10am-4pm

W San Francisco

181 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

New York, NY - Friday, July 31, 2009 from 10am-4pm

CBS

530 W. 57th Street, New York, NY 10019

Los Angeles, CA - Monday, August 10, 2009 from 10am-4pm

Saddle Ranch

8371 West Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

San Diego, CA - Monday, August 17, 2009 from 12pm - 5pm

W San Diego

421 W. B Street, San Diego, CA 92101

Atlanta, GA - Monday, August 24, 2009 from 10am-4pm

W Atlanta Midtown

188 14th St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30361

The Next Food Network Star is television’s most challenging food fight, providing 10 hopeful TV chefs the chance to compete for the ultimate dream job: his or her own Food Network show. Season five is currently underway and airs Sundays at 9pm ET/PT.

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FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network and Web site that strives to be way more than cooking. The network is committed to exploring new and different ways to approach food - through pop culture, competition, adventure, and travel - while also expanding its repertoire of technique-based information. Food Network is distributed to more than 98 million U.S. households and averages more than 9 million unique Web site users monthly. Food Network programming is available internationally in more than 150 countries. Food Network is headquartered in New York, and maintains offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and Knoxville, Tenn. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), which also owns and operates HGTV (www.hgtv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Great American Country (www.gactv.com) and Fine Living Network (www.fineliving.com), is the manager and general partner.

Press Contact: Lisa Krueger

Phone: 212-401-2430; E-mail: lkrueger@foodnetwork.com