Chef Kevin Lee discusses his unexpected journey in Tournament of Champions, emerging as a surprise contender after years of being a backup. He offers a glimpse into the exhilarating realm of culinary competitions, drawing from his experiences on shows like Guy's Grocery Games and Alex vs America to navigate the challenges of TOC with finesse. Lee traces his culinary journey back to a pivotal college cooking class, a turning point that ignited his passion despite initially venturing into...

Chef Tobias Dorzon discusses how his competitive nature from football seamlessly translated into competitive kitchens, where he thrives on the rush of creating fine meals under pressure. Having appeared on several episodes of Guy's Grocery Games and Tournament of Champions, Tobias reflects on the importance of representation and being a role model for aspiring chefs. Tobias shares memorable moments and interactions with Guy Fieri and fellow chefs, highlighting the supportive community within...

Chef Crista Luedtke discusses how her journey on the Food Network has evolved over the years, revealing the inner workings of her competitive spirit and the profound influence of her upbringing in a bustling household led by a single mother. Crista recounts her thrilling experiences on culinary battlegrounds like Guy's Grocery Games and Tournament of Champions, where she navigated the pressures of time constraints and unexpected twists with finesse and flair. She opens up about bouncing back...

Eric Adjepong reminisces about his unforgettable culinary experiences alongside celebrities like Selena Gomez and A-Rod, offering insights into the unique dynamics of cooking with celebrities. Reflecting on his recent endeavors, Eric underscores the value of shedding fear and drama to focus on personal evolution and well-being. He proudly showcases his acclaimed children's book, "Sankofa: A Culinary Story of Resilience and Belonging," while teasing an upcoming cookbook that promises to fuse...

Rodrigo delves into the roots of his culinary journey, tracing it back to the influential presence of his grandmother whose aromatic dishes and flavorful creations defined his childhood memories. He fondly recalls the early lessons in ingredient appreciation and culinary techniques, particularly emphasizing the pivotal moment when he mastered the art of cooking rice. Drawing from his experiences in esteemed Michelin-starred kitchens, Rodrigo shares invaluable insights into culinary...

Chef Martel Stone shares his reaction to being named a Food Network Hotlister and shares his goals for the year. He talks about his first opportunity to compete on television and how it ignited his dormant competitive spirit. Martel talks about the aquatic ingredient that still haunts him and his strategy on Guy’s Grocery Games when it comes to the frozen aisle. He recalls the French omelet responsible for this career pivot and the traits required to be a successful chef. Martel shares his...

Chef Nini Nguyen delves into her experience competing in the Tournament of Champions, from taking on the Randomizer to meeting Guy Fieri. She reminisces about her early food memories,  describing trips to the farmer's markets in Vietnam alongside her grandmother and crafting memorable meals together. With a passion for blending her Vietnamese heritage with the rich flavors of New Orleans cuisine, Nini reflects on her diverse culinary influences and the invaluable lessons learned working in...

2024 Food Network Hot Lister, Pyet DeSpain, reflects on her first steps into the Tournament of Champions arena and her initial impressions of Guy Fieri. She discusses her unique take on a classic PB&J, a dish that her grandfather would prepare for her, sparking her inspiration in the kitchen. Pyet shares early memories of sorting beans and cutting carrots with her grandfather, emphasizing the importance of earning her keep in the family kitchen. The chef reminisces on baking with her...

Chef Carla Hall shares some of the exciting ventures she has embarked on since her last appearance, including her new show on Max, Chasing Flavor. She provides insight into what viewers can expect as they join her in tracing the origin of popular dishes. The genesis of the show, sparked during an animated dinner party conversation with friends, comes to life as Carla shares the intricate process of bringing her vision to the screen. Carla highlights the importance of understanding where our...

Chef Zoe Adjonyoh discusses her culinary venture, Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, and its successful 13-year-run. She delves into the heart of her cookbook of the same name, Zoe's Ghana Kitchen, emphasizing its unique perspective that beautifully intertwines Ghanaian and Irish cultures. Drawing inspiration from Ghanaian cuisine, Zoe underscores the significance of honoring locally sourced ingredients. She recounts her return to Ghana as an adult, returning with a sense of grace to experiment creatively....

Chef Claudette Zepeda takes a nostalgic journey through her impressive 23-year culinary career, reminiscing on breaking bread with family and engaging in lively discussions about upcoming meals. Claudette cites the resilient women in her family as early culinary inspirations, including her resourceful grandmother and aunt managing a restaurant with meticulous care. The Tijuana native emphasizes the importance of infusing her Mexican heritage's flavors into her dishes, characterized by a...

Chef Christian Petroni recounts some of the most memorable moments since his last appearance on the podcast. He reflects on his culinary influences, shaped by growing up in the Bronx alongside his Italian parents to visiting the island of Ponza as a child. Christian reveals the joy of connecting with his favorite chefs in real-time through social media and finding common ground with his followers. He talks about his experience on Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown and delves into the...

Chef Kenneth Temple recounts his experience of being cast on Chopped and clinching the victory. Kenneth reveals how attending culinary school on a whim led to his early ambitions of becoming a private chef and crafting healthier meals. The chef describes the unique challenges and rewards of being a private chef and adapting his cooking style to cater to professional athletes. Kenneth gushes over his new baby and expresses his anticipation of introducing them to the flavors of New Orleans. The...

While Food Network Obsessed is off for the holiday, we're leaving you with an episode of Cooked and Booked, a new podcast from Food Network. Listen to episode 1, NYC's Ice Cream Truck Turf War here, and follow Cooked and Booked wherever you get your podcasts. Sunny Anderson hosts Cooked and Booked, the podcast where food and true crime get blitzed, blended and baked into one deliciously dangerous dish. Sunny is best known as a Food Network host, but she’s also a true crime obsessive. In each...

Cake artist Ashley Holt reveals how she coined her nickname, Sugar Monster. She recounts the moment when she transitioned from the world of modeling to the realm of cake artistry, driven by her passion for both sculpting and baking. Ashley reflects on her first cake creation for her brother's birthday. She provides a glimpse into her daily life, including being with her five-year-old daughter and working in her new in-home studio. The pastry chef dishes on the intricacies of cake making,...

  Christine Tobin, food stylist for Julia, reminisces on her childhood memories of Julia Child. She vividly recalls recreating the chef’s dishes in her family kitchen, surrounded by passionate home cooks. The New England resident reflects on the profound influence that Julia had in her city. Christine shares how she draws inspiration from Julia’s legacy, embodying her spirit in the kitchen by observing techniques of other talented chefs. She gives insight into her own career journey from...

Chef Jeff Mauro returns with his top five moments from the past two years, from hosting Worst Cooks in America to starting his band, Jewel Bags. Jeff mentions his own podcast with his sister and some of his favorite moments they’ve captured so far, including an exchange of ghost stories with Trisha Yearwood. The Chicago native candidly shares his thoughts on the show, The Bear. Jeff paints a picture of his perfect tailgate spread, complete with thick pizza and a non-mayonnaise based dip. He...

YouTube star Rosanna Pansino reveals the origins of Nerdy Nummies, inspired by her pride in embracing her inner nerd. She reflects on how her passion for baking blossomed, nurtured by her parents' encouragement for "functional hobbies" that not only strengthened family bonds but also kindled her creativity. Rosanna shares the realization of a decade-long dream: her state-of-the-art studio kitchen. She discusses her unwavering commitment to never missing a weekly upload on her YouTube channel,...

Social media star Carolina Gelen showcases her multilingualism, saying “hello” in five different languages. She reflects on her Romanian roots, reminiscing particularly on their produce and bread. She shares her decision to move to the United States, fueled by her passion for a culinary career. Carolina fondly remembers making donuts with her mother, a memory that helped forge her culinary path. She reveals how she coined the name for her newsletter, “Scraps,” and her unapologetic approach to...

Food blogger Amy Kritzer Becker recounts her journey of striking a harmonious balance between preserving Jewish culinary traditions and modernizing them with a twist. She recalls being a kid amidst the bustling kitchen of her family, where she took her first steps in crafting rugelach and blintzes. Amy shares that her initial vision for her blog, What Jew Wanna Eat, centered around cupcakes, but her brother encouraged her to spotlight Jewish recipes instead. Amy shares how a pivotal email...

Chef Franco Noriega shares his biggest influences in his culinary journey, ranging from his restaurateur parents to his Peruvian nanny. Franco recounts how observing his parents manage several bakeries in Peru instilled in him the importance of effective leadership, which he now applies to his own restaurants. Reflecting on his earlier years as a competitive swimmer, Franco reveals the ways in which his surplus of calories led him to explore diverse culinary techniques. The entrepreneur...

Iron Chef Jose Garces dishes on his run on Tournament of Champions and answers how he would feel about returning to the challenge. He reveals the personal quality that he attributes to his success in his career as a restaurateur and competitive chef. The James Beard Award winner shares how he finds inspiration in traveling and incorporates that into his diverse restaurant concepts. He reflects on his Latin roots and some of the early food memories that stuck with him. The chef opens up about...

Viral TikTokker Owen Han reflects on his first viral video and how he found his niche as the sandwich king. He dishes on the key to capturing the perfect TikTok, from the best ASMR sounds to the importance of the first three seconds of content. The USC graduate shares that it was always his hope to work with food, for his alternate career plan was sending him down the food path as well. Owen speaks highly of his fellow food creators, shouting out a few of his biggest inspirations in the...

In honor of his new show Battle of the Decades, Jonathan Bennett reflects back on the decades that raised him. Jonathan reveals that some of his earliest food memories revolve around Campbell’s soup and Applebee’s lemonade. The actor shares what it’s like for him to witness the revival of fashion staples that he grew up with from the 80s. He shares some of the comedy movies that inspired him as a child to want to perform and ignited his passion to make people laugh. Jonathan recalls asking...

Food critic Troy Johnson details his start in the entertainment industry from an indie-rock TV show to a San Diego Padres pre-game show. Troy reveals how he set out to conquer his fear of public speaking in college and came out of the other side with a degree in poetry. The San Diego native talks about living in the city he grew up in and how that motivates him as the San Diego Magazine chief content officer. He reflects on the pandemic’s impact on mom-and-pop restaurants and the efforts he...