14 Reasons Food Network’s All-Star Academy Mentors Make Great Coaches

Learn from the best. Tune in to Food Network's new series All-Star Academy on Sundays at 9/8c and watch as America's best chefs mentor America's best home cooks. Here's how you know they're worth learning from.

1. They're trusted by powerful people and use those connections to help the community.

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Bobby Flay and President Obama hosted a barbecue at the White House together for local students. Their food bromance didn't end there — he cooked for Obama and the Chinese president in 2013.

2. They openly share their experience and wisdom with others.

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Michael Symon has written multiple books that give both life advice and chef advice. He also has a series of ebooks, like Michael Symon's 5 in 5, that help you take advantage of seasonal ingredients in the kitchen

3. The love of food runs in their families.

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Alex Guarnaschelli's mother was a cookbook editor. She has been surrounded by good recipes since childhood. Her earliest memory with food was cooking a classic French stew with her.

4. Their cooking is award winning.

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Curtis Stone's new restaurant won Best in L.A. In LA Weekly's most recent new restaurant roundup, Stone's Beverly Hills eatery Maude was dubbed the Best New Restaurant In L.A.

5. They have stayed true to who they are and where they come from.

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Michael Symon has not forgotten his Midwestern hometown through it all. Who better to mentor a home chef than a guy who's so proud of his home? Forget Paris, New York, Milan — this celebrity chef loves Cleveland.

6. They know how to work with any and all ingredients.

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Alex Guarnaschelli isn't afraid of canned veggies or boxed cake mix. She may have won one of the food world's highest honors, but this Manhattan native is supremely down-to-earth when it comes to cooking.

7. They started cooking at a young age.

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Curtis Stone started cooking with his grandma when he was four. CUTE. "I was four years old, just a little tucker, when I had my first, truly memorable food experience. I tried my granny's Yorkshire fudge and it was one of the first really sweet things that I'd tasted."

Your heart is melting. It's OK.

8. They know the importance of the simple things and aren't above them.

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Bobby Flay is not above putting chips on your burger. No matter how big this guy's celebrity grows, he's not afraid to acknowledge the simple and quirky food pleasures we all secretly love. Case in point: his famous potato chip burger. Find a Bobby's Burger Palace near you, and discover the realest crunch ever.

9. They know the importance of a good mentor.

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Alex Guarnaschelli worked for Guy Savoy in Paris for many years. The best mentors had great mentors of their own. Guarnaschelli remembers the famous chef dropping into the kitchen unannounced to taste her soup with a simple hunk of bread.

10. They know the true value of food.

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Michael Symon is passionate about food because it connects people. "Every lesson I learned as a kid was at the dinner table. Being Greek, Sicilian, and Ruthenian — we are an emotional bunch. It is where we laughed, cried, and yelled — but most importantly, where we bonded and connected." And connectedness is key for a mentor.

11. They worked hard to get where they are today.

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Bobby Flay started pursuing a career in food after his sophomore year of high school, beginning with a job bussing tables at Joe Allen. And the rest...is foodie history.

12. They know how to use their cooking skills to improve all aspects of life.

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Curtis Stone understands the important role cooking plays in a romantically healthy home. And he's not afraid to offer a little love advice in the kitchen.

It's easy to take love advice from such a CUTIE.

13. They have a history of fighting tough battles and winning.

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Three of the mentors have earned the title of Iron Chef. Michael Symon won in 2007, Bobby Flay's won multiple times, and Alex Guarnaschelli became one of the only females holding the title by winning Next Iron Chef: Redemption in 2012.

14. They have an award-winning veteran host.

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The mentors and chefs will be hosted by Ted Allen, a man who really knows his way around a food competition. He's acted as judge on countless past shows and was the winner of the 2012 James Beard Award for best Media Personality/Host.

Want to see America’s greatest home cooks battle it out with the help of these All-Star mentors? Tune in to All-Star Academy on Sunday March 1 at 9/8c.