Guy Fieri and Rachael Ray mentor kidtestant Lauren Zilberman in “Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off”

When I was a kid, I liked to play outside. The last thing I wanted to do was be stuck in the kitchen -- unless, of course, there were warm cookies fresh out of the oven!

Well, apparently that's not for every kid. Last year, we saw two fantastic kid-oriented spins on hit shows. Fox brought us "MasterChef Junior," a real treat that showed off Gordon Ramsay's warm and fuzzy side, while the Food Network had "Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off," a surprisingly charming take on a show that typically features celebrities who are all thumbs in the kitchen.

Well, a new batch of kiddies is heading into the kitchen with Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri as a second season of "Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off" kicks off Sunday, Aug. 17, on the Food Network.

Unlike the celebrities who compete in "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off," these eight adorable kids have some serious skills in the kitchen. Like the celebrities, the kids will be divided into two teams that will be guided and mentored by either Ray or Fieri, who are in it to prove that they have what it takes to turn these youthful home cooks into culinary pros.

The challenges these kids will be put through are enough to make grownups shake in their boots. As the competition progresses, they'll have to identify ingredients while blindfolded, compete in a "Chopped"-style challenge with a basket of mystery ingredients, make a sandwich for the "Sandwich King" himself, Jeff Mauro, and even cook a dish using their most hated ingredients.

As if Ray, Fieri and Mauro weren't enough to make any young cook feel star-struck, a bevy of other celebrity chefs will be popping by throughout the show's run. Cat Cora, Ted Allen, Alex Guarnaschelli, G. Garvin, Robert Irvine, Curtis Stone and Wolfgang Puck will all be showing up to judge dishes, to announce challenges and just to inspire these aspiring young cooks.

The stakes are pretty high for these kids, too -- they're not just competing for a gold star or a pat on the head. The winner of the competition will get their very own web series on the Food Network's website.

It's a prize that could very well kick-start a lifelong career as a celebrity chef. Tune in for the season premiere of "Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off" Sunday, Aug. 17, on the Food Network.