Chef Darnell Ferguson is a mentor on Worst Cooks in America: Viral Sensations, alongside Chef Anne Burrell, and it's time to share some facts about the culinary expert. The series recently premiered, and it features a group of contestants that are social media influencers and viral personalities. All of them are very challenged in the kitchen. This is Darnell's first time as a mentor on the show. He and Anne will coach teams until the February 5 finale. During that last episode, the two most improved recruits will go head-to-head, as they serve a three-course, restaurant-quality meal to the judges, Karen Akunowicz, Kalen Allen and Leah Cohen. After a blind taste test, they will determine the winner of the $25,000 prize.

The Food Network show, Worst Cooks In America: Viral Sensations cast is interesting. The contestants are Rich Aronovitch, "QuarantTeaTime" actor Michael Judson Berry, Tessica Brown (known for her Gorilla Glue hair mishap), flight attendant by day David Chen, singing sensation Naje Elmore, and K-drama and K-pop enthusiast, Tina Kim. Also competing are puppeteer Adam Kreutinger, "Top 5 Hottest" trendsetter Paris Nicholson, paleontologist TikToker Eliza Petersen, "Mr. Spooky" Mitchell Ralston, YouTuber Sabrina Rios, and Nick Trawick, known for his TikTok character, "Kleptora."

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Darnell Ferguson Overcame Obstacles To Become A Chef

According to his official iamsuperchef.com website, the reality celeb is originally from Ohio. He is an accomplished person who also helps others. The Worst Cooks in America mentor discovered his love of cooking during adolescence. He eventually graduated from Sullivan University in Kentucky with a degree in Culinary Arts. However, he later found himself on, "a self-destructive path" that left him homeless, in and out of jail, and unemployed for nearly a year. Thanks to his faith, and a realization that he did not want to become another statistic, he knew that he had to focus on cooking. He believes that, "food can represent and change your life."

Darnell dreamed of bringing high-end fine dining to short-order cooking in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2012, he started a series of pop-up restaurants that served breakfast within existing restaurants that usually only served lunch and dinner. This led Darnell to open up his first "SuperChefs" restaurant in 2015. The Worst Cooks in America mentor's website states, "Darnell’s unique style of 'Urban Eclectic' cooking blends together traditional flavors in untraditional ways with a creative presentation." In April 2019, SuperChefs opened a second location in Alabama. The restaurant is called Superhero Chefs.

Darnell Ferguson Pulled Off An Upset On Guy Fieri's Tournament Of Champions

When Darnell appeared on Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions, he won his round against legendary chef, Alex Guarnaschelli. Guy declared, "You just pulled off the biggest upset in culinary history." In 2018, Darnell won Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge, which was hosted by Giada De Laurentiis. He has also appeared on Today, The Rachael Ray Show, Beat Bobby Flay, Cheap Eats, and Guy's Grocery Games. The Cooking Channel's Man's Greatest Foods named his restaurant as one of the Top 12 Best Breakfast in America places. Darnell also cooked for Team USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Worst Cooks In America's Darnell Ferguson Gives Back To The Community

After just a few months in business, a fire broke out at SuperChefs, which could not be controlled in time. The original restaurant was lost, but, soon after it burnt down, Darnell received help from celebrity chefs and television producers. They asked him if he would share his story. This allowed Darnell to reopen SuperChefs. He then wanted to pay it forward by giving back to the community. The Worst Cooks in America advisor employs teens, young adults, and those in need, to help them realize that cooking can be, "a positive and creative outlet." In addition, Darnell serves on the board for the national non-profit, "Blessings in a Backpack," which provides paper bag lunches for kids on the weekends. He also works for the Louisville-based organization, "Children Shouldn't Hunger."

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Worst Cooks In America's Darnell Ferguson Likes Being With His Family

Darnell is a busy man, but during his spare time, the Worst Cooks In America: Viral Sensations star enjoys hanging out with his relatives. He is married to his wife, Tatahda. They live together with their eight children in Alabama.

More: Worst Cooks Celebrity Edition: Why Tracey Gold’s Win Was So Inspiring

Sources: iamsuperchef,com, Darnell Ferguson/Instagram, Darnell Ferguson/Instagram, Darnell Ferguson/Instagram, Darnell Ferguson/Instagram