By Lori Acken
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He didn’t exactly heat up the dance floor on Season 7 of Dancing With the Stars — but studly celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito sure knows how to entertain his pals with ambience and cuisine.
Now Bravo has your invitation to his exclusive and swank soirees, courtesy of the network’s newest competition series, Rocco’s Dinner Party, premiering June 15 at 11pm ET/PT (the show moves to Wednesdays at 10pm on the 22nd).
In each specially-themed episode, three talented chefs from all walks of culinary life — from restaurant all-stars to self-taught prodigies — will battle to create the ultimate dining-in experience, from luxurious eats to dazzling decor, for Rocco and his eclectic group of hand-picked celebrity guests, including The Real Housewives of New Jersey‘s Caroline and Albert Manzo, Chopped and Top Chef Masters’ Marcus Samuelsson, comedian DL Hughley and DiSpirito’s fellow DWTS alum, former ‘N Sync member Joey Fatone. Each week’s winner takes home a $20,000 prize.
“This is probably the best hosting job on TV,” DiSpirito says of his new gig as the host with the most people cooking for him. “I get to have dinner with some of my closest friends, someone else does the cooking … and there’s no check at the end!”
Photo: ©2011 NBCUniversal, Inc.