Food Network Obsessed

Chef Kenny Gilbert joins the pod to talk about his impressive run on this season of Tournament of Champions, from the pressure of the randomizer to cooking in one of the most intense competition formats on TV. He shares how he prepares for the unpredictable nature of TOC, why blind judging raises the stakes, and how he approaches each round with a “swim your race” mentality. Kenny also takes us back to his early days in the kitchen, from cooking out of a Betty Crocker cookbook as a kid to preparing his first full Thanksgiving dinner at just 11 years old. HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zoha Malik, the creator behind Bake With Zoha, joins the pod to talk about being named to Food Network’s Hot List and how a weekend baking hobby turned into one of the most popular dessert accounts on the internet. She shares how teaching herself baking from scratch shaped her approach to recipes, why understanding the “why” behind baking matters, and how a single viral brownie video helped kickstart her community. Zoha also dives into the cultural influences behind her desserts, from growing up in Pakistan surrounded by family meals and cardamom-infused sweets to blending nostalgic flavors with classic American baking. HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bryan Ford joins the pod to talk about judging Food Network’s new competition series Ultimate Baking Championship and what it was like watching some of the most skilled pastry chefs in the country go head-to-head. He shares why blind judging raises the stakes, what separates technically perfect baking from something truly special, and how storytelling plays a role even in the most precise desserts. Plus, Bryan opens up about opening Diljan Bakery in Brooklyn, exploring Afghan baking traditions, and how his self-taught path helped shape the way he approaches both baking and business today. Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Bryan on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Ultimate Baking Championship: HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef Kaleena Bliss joins the pod ahead of her return to Tournament of Champions, and she breaks down what it’s really like to step back into one of the most intense kitchens on television. She talks about the adrenaline of competition cooking, the chaos of the randomizer, and why sometimes the only way to survive the TOC arena is to black out and cook on instinct. Plus, she opens up about how kitchen culture has changed over the years, what makes someone a true badass in the industry now, and why the community she found through Tournament of Champions has become one of the most meaningful parts of her career. HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duff Goldman returns to the pod for his third appearance, officially earning Food Network Obsessed royalty status. He catches up with Jaymee on life at home, getting ready to become a dad of two, and why he’s embraced his unexpected role on the internet as the guy giving calm, rational dad advice. Duff also dives into his newest Food Network series Ultimate Baking Championship, where sixteen elite pastry chefs compete in one of the most technically demanding baking competitions the network has ever done. Plus, after years of strong opinions, Duff finally sets the record straight on cupcakes… and whether he actually hates them as much as he says he does. HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorenzo Espada, known online as Eat With Zo, joins the pod to talk about landing on Food Network’s 2026 Hot List and the full-circle moment of being recognized by the network he grew up watching. He shares how cooking with his grandmothers shaped his love of food, and how selling food out of his college dorm helped spark the idea that eventually became his “Somethin’ Outta Nothin’” philosophy. Lorenzo also dives into the viral crab cake biscuit video that changed everything, how social media helped transform his private dining hustle into a full-time career, and why making cooking fun and approachable is the heart of his content. Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Lorenzo on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Food Network Hot List: HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Tchao joins the pod to talk about how his unexpected landing on Food Network’s 2026 Hot List was a true full-circle moment. He shares how teaching a total kitchen “noob” helped him find his voice as an educator, and why experimenting in public is at the heart of his content. Michael also dives into his recent trip to Japan, where he documented a family preserving a centuries-old charcoal craft that burns hotter, cleaner, and more intentionally than standard briquettes. From patience in the kiln to patience in content creation, he reflects on slowing down, focusing on quality over quantity, and building a brand rooted in curiosity, clarity, and value. HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alessandra Ciuffo joins the pod to talk about being on Food Network’s “Hot List” and winning Guy’s Grocery Games at just 15 years old. She opens up about why social media wasn’t always part of the plan, and how documenting every single day of culinary school helped her truly “find her culinary voice”. She also shares why teaching people how to cook matters, how she balances classical training with nonna intuition, and why midnight pasta might just be the ultimate comfort food. Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow the Alessandrea Ciuffo on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Food Network Hot List: HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef Mei Lin returns to the pod to talk about her Beverly Hills restaurant 88 Club, where nostalgic Chinese flavors meet a moody dining room and serious vibes. She shares how dishes like shrimp toast and Namu chicken connect to her childhood and why this chapter of her cooking feels more personal and unapologetic than ever. Mei also dives into festival cooking, Lunar New Year collaborations, and the energy of live food events before opening up about her newest role as a judge on Tournament of Champions. She talks blind judging, missing the adrenaline of competing, and how social media trends are starting to show up on competition plates. Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow the Mei Lin on Instagram: HERE Learn More about TOC: HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HGTV stars Jenny and Dave Marrs join the pod to talk about season seven of Fixer to Fabulous. They open up about filming real life (mistakes and all), how Bentonville has changed since season one, and why authenticity is at the core of everything they do. The couple also dives into farm life and how growing their own food reshaped their relationship with meals and local farmers. Their love of Italy comes up too, especially the country’s deep-rooted food traditions, long meals, and hospitality-first lifestyle that now inspires both their cooking and their home designs. They share why the kitchen table is the true heart of their home, how antique pieces bring soul into modern spaces, and why craftsmanship still matters. HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Designer, author, and TV host Bobby Berk joins the pod to talk about the unexpected ways food and family shape the spaces we live in. He opens up about how his upbringing influenced his design philosophy, why kitchens are always the emotional center of a home, and how comfort (both visual and emotional) guides every project he touches. Bobby also shares what he’s learned from years in front of the camera, the balance between function and feeling, and why creating welcoming spaces isn’t all that different from cooking a great meal. Plus: thoughtful design splurges, the power of small details, and what “home” really means at this stage of his life. HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bryan and Michael Voltaggio return to the pod to talk holiday cooking, family rituals, and their big Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas victory. They share childhood memories: from sausage balls to two-house Christmases. And how those traditions influence the way they cook for their own families today. The brothers open up about working together at their hometown restaurant, the emotional stakes of competing as a team, and the moment they realized they might actually win it all. Plus: Boursin-stuffing brilliance, massive lasagnas, onesie-clad fast-food holidays, and a story about a very unfortunate playlist choice. HEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef, author, and Emmy-winning host Kardea Brown returns to the pod to reflect on marriage, a new restaurant, two cookbooks, and her ever-growing Food Network family. She shares how her Gullah Geechee roots remain the heartbeat of everything she cooks, why her new book Make Do With What You Have is a love letter to resourceful home cooks, and the emotional stories behind the dishes that shaped her childhood. Kardea also takes us behind the scenes of Holiday Baking Championship, from Team Naughty vs. Team Nice to Duff and Nancy’s hilarious dynamic. Plus, she talks about restaurant life at Charleston Airport, family pride, and what she hopes 2026 brings. HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef Michael Jenkins joins Jaymee to talk about his festive return to Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown and how he channels calm in the chaos of high-pressure TV kitchens. He shares the pivotal moments that shaped his culinary journey from discovering food through wrestling and travel to training under Alex Guarnaschelli at Butter. Michael also breaks down his modern American style, the dish that best represents him, and why holiday cooking brings out both nostalgia and big creative swings. HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actor and host Oliver Hudson joins the podcast to kick off the holiday season and share the heart-warming (and hilarious) stories behind his family’s legendary Christmas traditions. From Kurt Russell’s unforgettable sleigh-track illusion to Goldie Hawn’s famous biscuits and gravy. Oliver opens up about stepping into his first-ever hosting role for Gingerbread Land: The Biggest Little Holiday Competition, Food Network and Magnolia Network’s newest holiday spectacle. He reflects on the creativity and emotion behind the builds, the surprising depth of the contestants’ stories, and why this show feels like “a big, cozy hug in TV form.” HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TV personality and Bachelor in Paradise alum Wells Adams joins Jaymee to talk about his new Food Network role hosting Sweet Empire: Winter Wars, where sugar, teamwork, and big personalities collide. He shares how his radio roots shaped his hosting style, the lessons he’s learned from judges Jacques Torres and Yolanda Gampp, and why dessert competitions might just have more drama than dating. Wells also opens up about life with wife Sarah Hyland, the tacos that sparked their romance, and his newfound love of all things sweet, from Michelin-level desserts to his mom’s “nuclear dip.” HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef and multisensory mastermind Jozef Youssef joins Jaymee to talk about transforming food into emotion through his immersive dining studio, Kitchen Theory. He shares how science, storytelling, and a little curiosity turned him into one of the most innovative voices in modern gastronomy. Then Jozef takes us behind the scenes of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking Season Two, where he returns as a judge alongside Carla Hall and the Phelps twins. He dishes on the magic of filming inside the Great Hall, what makes a dessert truly enchanted, and why sound might be the most powerful ingredient of all. HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef and James Beard–nominated baker Kareem “Mr. Bake” Queeman joins Jaymee to share the story behind his iconic banana pudding and the Harlem roots that shaped his nostalgic, heartfelt desserts. He opens up about using baking as both therapy and storytelling, and what it meant to make history as the first Black man nominated in the Pastry Chef/Baker category. Next Kareem reflects on his Food Network journey, from sharing his story on Dig In With to competing on Beat Bobby Flay. Plus the lessons, laughs, and dance breaks along the way. HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef, restaurateur, and Top Chef Masters champ Rick Bayless joins Jaymee to talk about the mission that’s guided his kitchens for decades: celebrating regional Mexican cuisine through technique, nuance, and joy. He shares the “why” behind signature sauces and masa, and how insisting on real control over sourcing and recipes helped turn Tortas Frontera into an airport game-changer. Then Rick previews his turn in the judge’s chair on Bobby’s Triple Threat and what he looks for first. He talks about how risk pays off only when rooted in skill, and the advice he’d give any chef walking into that kitchen. Rick also reflects on his day-one Iron Chef America duel with Bobby Flay, what he learned from that battle, and wraps with rapid-fire favorites from go-to chiles to perfect street bites. HEREHEREHEREHERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef, author, and fashion icon Marcus Samuelsson joins Jaymee to talk about identity, style, and the journey that took him from Ethiopia to Sweden to New York. Marcus shares how his grandmother’s handmade clothes and early sneaker love shaped his look, why Harlem feels like home, and the global experiences (France, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore) that taught him to mix discipline with street-food soul. Then it’s competition time as Marcus previews his rare turn from judge to gladiator on Alex vs. America: Alex vs. Chopped Judges, facing Alex Guarnaschelli alongside Maneet Chauhan and Scott Conant. He breaks down how judging thousands of dishes informed his strategy under the clock, what people underestimate about Alex, and the camaraderie among long-time Chopped colleagues. Marcus also reflects on Bobby’s Triple Threat, why competing keeps him sharp, and shares rapid-fire favorites… from bucket hats to a cocktail that blends sake, aquavit, champagne, and honey. HEREHEREHEREHEREAlex vs. America: HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.