To give you a sneak peek at the personalities of Team Alton, Team Bobby and Team Giada, we're introducing a finalist per day leading up to the bigger-than-ever Food Network Star premiere on Sunday, May 13, at 9pm/8c. Don't miss the casting special on Saturday, May 12, at 9pm/8c for a behind-the-scenes glimpse at each finalist’s road to Star-dom, including footage of their final one-on-one auditions with their respective team leaders.

Today we're heading over to Team Giada to meet Yvan Lemoine, a 30-year-old New York chef who's originally from Venezuela.

• Claim to fame: He has worked at old-guard New York French restaurants La Caravelle and Le Cirque 2000. For his current job at the French Consulate, the Venezuela native once had to sculpt a castle out of food.
• Dream-show concept: "American tapas," like chili-cheese pigs in blankets. "With small dishes, you're more likely to try new things," he says.
• Secret ingredient: Liquid smoke. "Living in New York, I cook indoors most of the year. This adds that grill flavor without a grill."

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