Tyler Florence and Anne Burrell star in “Worst Cooks in America”

Chef Anne Burrell may have been knocked off her throne, but she's not willing to stay down without a fight. "Worst Cooks in America" is probably one of the more love-it-or-hate-it shows on the Food Network (for the record, I'm firmly in the "love it" camp), but it's exactly that kind of show that stirs passions and gets people talking about it.

And clearly enough folks love the show to keep it coming back. "Worst Cooks in America" launches a new season Sunday, Jan. 4, on the Food Network, with a new batch of recruits and a new host/coach, too.

True to the format that's worked so well in the first five seasons, this sixth season will find a group of kitchen klutzes divided into two teams, each led by one of the Food Network's celebrity chefs.

Back for the sixth time -- she's been a fixture of the show since the very beginning -- is chef Anne Burrell. After leading her team to victory over chefs Beau MacMillan (season 1), Robert Irvine (season 2) and Bobby Flay (seasons 3), the reigning champion was toppled from her throne in a rematch with Flay in season 4, and was further kept down by him in season 5.

So Burrell's out to reclaim her throne, and for round 6, she's facing off against chef Tyler Florence, host of "The Great Food Truck Race."

So how's all this work? Well, the pair of chefs each try to teach their respective teams some basic culinary skills -- remember, they're working with some of the very worst cooks America has to offer!

Through a series of competitions, the chefs test their protégés, sending home those who just aren't cutting it while keeping those who show the most promise. Finally, when only two home cooks remain -- one from each team -- a panel of unbiased judges decides which of the two has picked up the most skill and cooked the better meal.

It's a bit crass and it's a bit artificial, but it's also one heck of a lot of fun to watch. Burrell may have stumbled when facing off against Flay, but with a new competitor joining the show, it may be time for her to take back her crown.

"Worst Cooks in America" premieres Sunday, Jan. 4, on the Food Network.