Jeff Mauro was named the winner of Food Network Star's seventh season on Sunday night.
After 11 episodes over the past 10 weeks, Mauro emerged victorious, demonstrating a comedic personality along with his culinary skills to become the Food Network Star.
As a reward, he gains a place on Food Network's menu, as his new daytime series, Sandwich King, bows Sunday, Aug. 21 at 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
Mauro, a private chef at the Chicago corporate headquarters for a large mortgage company, graduated from California's Hollywood Kitchen Academy and has worked in the food industry since high school in various roles including line cook, caterer and chef instructor.
On his new daytime show, Mauro broadens his inspired sandwich resume as he will take Food Network viewers on a delicious odyssey, preparing dishes inspired from some of his favorite local restaurants around his hometown of Chicago, such as the Peoria Packing Butcher Shop and the Isaacson & Stein Fish Market.
In addition to the new show, the first ever Food Network Star compilation book will be on sale starting Aug. 16. Food Network Star: The Official Insider's Guide to America's Hottest Food Show (William Morrow Cookbooks, 2011) will offer viewers an all-access, behind-the scenes pass to the drama-filled series, with exclusive content from the show's finalists, its break-out stars and other Food Network personalities.
Mauro and other season seven finalists Mary Beth Albright, Susie Jimenez, Whitney Chen, and Vic "Vegas" Moea will also be participating in book signings in select cities, including New York; Washington, D.C.; Denver; Philadelphia and Chicago.
"Jeff has the perfect mixture of strong culinary chops, a breakout personality, and boundless food passion - a true triple threat we value in our stars," said Bob Tuschman, general manager and senior vice president, programming and production, Food Network, in a statement. "Jeff's humor, warmth and smart ideas to make sandwiches into satisfying meals make him a perfect addition to join the Food Network family."
