How To Get On Chopped If You're Not Famous

Sign Up. You can't get on the show if you don't sign up. Whether you're a professional chef or a home cook, you have a shot at making it on the show.

(CreditL flickr/Manoel Petry)

Turn a negative into a positive. If you need the prize money to save your failing restaurant, say so on your application — you'll already be a step ahead of the curve.

(Credit: flickr/Larry)

Get on a special episode. Food Network films several special episodes per season. They're looking for teens, educators, pastry specialists, civil servants, religious leaders, moms, dads, and grandparents.

(Credit: flickr/Chris Ford)

Have a good story. If you don't fit into the categories mentioned above, dig deeper. How did you get into cooking? What are you going to use the prize money for? The best stories will tug at the judge's heartstrings, and make them use up a box of tissues while you tell it.

(Credit: flickr/UK Ministry of Defense)

Cook your heart out. You have to be cool under pressure and able to think quickly on your feet to make it on Chopped.

(Credit: flickr/Edsel Little)

Julie Ruggirello is the Recipe Editor at The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @TDMRecipeEditor.