When the sixth season of “The Next Food Network Star” premieres on June 6, the show will feature not one but two contestants from Atlanta vying to be the next Guy Fieri.

Brianna Jenkins studied food journalism at Georgia Perimeter College before graduating from the Ecole Supérieure de Cuisine Française in Paris, and now runs her own catering company. Herb Mesa works as both a personal chef and a personal fitness trainer, and yearns to combine these interests by creating dishes that are equally nutritious and delicious.

We recently spoke with both aspiring celebrity chefs in an attempt to figure out how they’ll measure up in head-to-head competition.

JEZEBEL: What originally inspired your love of food and cooking?

Brianna Jenkins: My aunt is a self-taught chef who lived in California. When I was a little girl, I would spend the summers cooking with her and picking fresh ingredients from her garden. It was her passion for cooking that inspired me.

Herb Mesa: My mom made traditional Puerto Rican and Cuban dishes like arroz con pollo, empanadas, tostones, oxtail and ceviche, with rich Caribbean and Latin flavors. I loved the flavors but had to find a way to cut the saturated fat and calories that these dishes are far too abundant in. So during my years in the restaurant business, which began at a sports grill and ended in fine dining at luxury hotels, I created dishes that met my personal nutritional needs but kept the flavors I was accustomed to.

JEZ: How would you describe your culinary style?

BJ: Global cuisine is my culinary style. I’m inspired by my travels and the ethnic backgrounds of my friends and family.

HM: My culinary style is made of my personal belief that I can make any dish clean and healthy but leans toward a lot of the flavors I grew up with, in addition to any spices and fusions that I feel will create memorable dishes.

JEZ: Food Network exec Bob Tuschman says he’s looking for star power. What do you think it is about you that will “inspire a nation of viewers”?

BJ: I am unique, and my food is unique. I want to teach people that they can make delicious dishes and entertain their guests in style just like I do, without breaking the bank.

HM: I feel that my personal story creates a strong message about food and fitness that the world wants and needs right now.

JEZ: When you met each other, how did you think you’d measure up in head-to-head competition?

BJ: When I first met Herb, I thought he was an outgoing, in-your-face kind of guy. I didn’t know anything about his cooking skills, but I liked him right away. Knowing that this competition isn’t just about your cooking skills at first glance, Herb was hefty competition. I mean, look at him!

HM: Let’s just say I was hoping her culinary skills weren’t as good as mine!

JEZ: What was going through your mind during your first big challenge, when you were serving Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck and Giada De Laurentiis your dishes?

BJ: “OMG, what did I get myself into? I think I’m going to be sick!” I was so nervous, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I cook all the time for all types of people, but nothing compares to having some of the greatest chefs in the world taste and critique your food. It was amazing!

HM: I just thought to myself, “I made it here...now let’s hope they like the food!”

JEZ: If you were to win the show, how do you envision your brand?

BJ: My brand will be all about entertaining in style. I will make cooking so fun, easy and addictive, you’ll be calling everybody over to sample your dishes in no time!

HM: My brand has always been my personal chef and personal training company, The Energy Chef, which speaks for itself. I hope to continue on its path and be a motivating factor for people who wish to cook clean, flavorful food for a fit body, mind and soul. I wouldn’t mind if people think of me as Richard Simmons…without the funny shorts!