SEASON PREMIERE

16 CONTESTANTS BATTLE IT OUT FOR A PLACE IN THE KITCHEN DURING THE SEASON TWO PREMIERE OF "THE TASTE," THURSDAY, JANUARY 2 ON ABC

"The Taste" Returns with a New, Two Hour Format and Mentor Chef Marcus Samuelsson

"Auditions" -- The heat is on in the kitchen as "The Taste" returns on THURSDAY, JANUARY 2 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on ABC.

Back in its second season, and also with a brand new, two hour format, "The Taste" is open to everyone - from home cooks to professional chefs - in an effort to find some of America's most naturally gifted cooks. 16 culinary hopefuls will ultimately win the chance to show off their skills in "The Taste" kitchen where one blind spoonful of food can determine whether a competitor stays or goes home.

The series features no-holds barred Chef Anthony Bourdain, British food star Nigella Lawson, expert chef/author Ludo Lefebvre, and joining "The Taste" this season, Chef, author and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson. These four stars of the culinary world will compete, mentoring a team of four contestants apiece as they vie to create the best tasting dishes in a state of the art kitchen.

In the two-hour series premiere, the heat is on when contestants put their best culinary foot forward and create their best dish for Anthony, Nigella, Ludo and Marcus to taste. At the end of the night, 16 will be given a place on one of the mentors' teams. One single spoonful will decide whether or not they make it past the audition phase and on to the competition.

"The Taste" is from Kinetic Content and is executive-produced by Chris Coelen, Matilda Zoltowski, Emma Conway, Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson and Brian Smith who is also the director.

"The Taste" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound. This program carries tv-14,L parental guideline.

For more information on "The Taste," visit ABC.com/The Taste.