Food Network cleans up online

As the popular network’s virtual arm, FoodNetwork.com has stayed on top for a record-breaking two years.

Measured by Nielsen Online, the numbers show that FoodNetwork.com completed June with a unique audience of 8.3 million users, making it the No. 1 Web stop.

Calling all cooks … well, the bad ones, anyway

The Food Network is making stops in four major cities across the United States looking for “disastrous home cooks.”

Casting producers will be in Charlotte, N.C., New York City, Los Angeles and Denver, but to get on the audition list, sign up in advance. Email hopelesshomecook@optomenusa.com.

This is for food lovers who haven’t got the skills to pull off their favorite dishes. To prove how inept you are, explain why you are the worst cook in the country. Include your name, age, town, occupation, contact phone number and a recent photo. Deadline to apply is Aug. 14.

You can nominate someone else, providing the same information, but the nominee must be able to attend the audition and provide a video of a bad day in the kitchen.

DVR Alerts

Starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, catch any “Next Food Network Star” episodes you may have missed in preparation for the finale at 10 p.m. With a three-person finale, the stakes are high. Will the winner become the network’s next hot brand?

Saturday

9:30 a.m. — Jamie at Home (Food Network) — Jamie demonstrates all the ways to use that summer zucchini.

11 a.m. — Down Home With the Neelys (Food Network) — Gina’s girlfriends Bev and Belinda are coming over for a meal fit for a queen. They’re having Shrimp Creole, Dirty Rice, Stewed Tomatoes and Okra, and Hurricane Cocktails.

1:30 p.m. — Simply Delicioso (Food Network) — Ingrid Hoffmann pedals her way to a chica-gourmet picnic on the go in Miami! with recipes for Cilantro Crusted Roast Beef Sandwich w/Cilantro-Horseradish Pesto, Creamy Latin Pasta Salad and Pina Colada cookies.

Sunday

9 a.m. - Grill It! With Bobby Flay (Food Network) - It’s a flavorful trip around the world on Grill It! Bobby creates one Asian marinade that can be used two ways, plus Grilled Bananas. A special Latin music industry guest shares his authentic Mexican Shrimp Enchiladas.

9:30 a.m. — Secrets of a Restaurant Chef (Food Network) — Take the guesswork out of making moist pork chops with Anne’s foolproof brining technique, plus learn tips on making silky-smooth polenta and crunchy sautéed greens.

10:30 a.m. - Cooking for Real (Food Network) - Rise and shine with Sunny’s kid-inspired but grown-up approved breakfast spread. PB&J reaches new heights in a pancake stack, and green eggs and ham get a Sunny spin that would impress the Dr. himself!

11 a.m. - Everyday Italian (Food Network) — Giada’s going to create dishes that can not only wow you the first time you taste them, but can also be transformed the next day into show-stopping leftovers. You’ll be savoring them right until the last bite.

10 p.m. — The Next Food Network Star (Food Network) — The final contenders face off at Food Network, performing pilot presentations of their dream shows. All the finalists return and join a live audience to find out who will be “The Next Food Network Star.”

11 p.m. — Food Detectives (Food Network) — In his first episode, Ted Allen and his culinary sleuths set out to prove the answers to common culinary questions. Can I really eat something off the floor if I pick it up in less than 5 seconds? How do I stop my mouth from burning after I’ve eaten spicy food? Is the baking soda in my fridge doing anything?

Monday

9:30 a.m. - Good Deal with Dave Lieberman (Food Network) — A house full of guests will always want breakfast. Dave’s got a crowd crashing on his couch for the weekend and he’s cooking a full menu of wake-up food for the early risers.

8:30 p.m. - How’d That Get On My Plate (Food Network) - Sunny Anderson follows strawberries from a California farm to an ice cream maker in Colorado, a strawberry margarita mix in Davenport, Fla., strawberry spread in Lawton, Mich., and strawberry nougat-filled candies at Hammonds candies.

10 p.m. — Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Food Network) — Guy Fieri visits classic joints doing burgers and dogs including a Baltimore spot for Coney dogs from an 80-year-old recipe; Austin, Texas, for Serrano peppers and hot buffalo sauce burgers; and a Minneapolis dog and burger dive.

Tuesday

5:30 p.m. - Paula’s Home Cooking (Food Network) — Paula loves afternoon teatime, so she’s cooking up the perfect treats to go with it.

9:30 p.m. — Road Tasted With the Neelys (Food Network) - Pat and Gina Neely hit the road to find some of the best foods in Kansas City for you to enjoy at home. They discover that tender love and care are essential ingredients when making decadent caramel pound cake, incredible homemade ravioli and cream sauce, one of a kind bananas foster truffle and the finest of smoked bacons.

Thursday

10 p.m. - Ace of Cakes (Food Network) — It’s an insane week for Duff. He’s shooting three television shows (Ace of Cakes, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and Paula’s Party), making a huge cake for the Broadway premiere of “Crybaby” and Geof is building the tallest cake in Charm City Cakes history - a six-foot skyscraper that will be delivered to Philadelphia.