Advertise on podcast: Food Network Obsessed

Aarti Sequeira returns to the pod to talk about joining Halloween Baking Championship and finding the courage to take up space at the judges’ table. She shares why handwritten family recipes matter to her, and how food and faith come together at the ultimate “Aarti Party.” Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Aarti on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Halloween Baking Championship : HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that Kelly Ripa has a podcast called Let's Talk Off Camera? On the show, Kelly dives deep into her life, candidly discussing her marriage, family, career, and how she manages to juggle it all in the public eye. Give it a listen, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Andrew Fuller joins the pod to talk about becoming a judge on Halloween Wars and bringing hyperrealistic cakes into everyday settings on Sweet Deceit. He shares how Beetlejuice helped spark his love of the macabre, and what he hopes viewers see in cake artistry. Plus, he turns innocent objects into terrifying cakes in a game of “Andrew - Make This Scary!” Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE [Text Wrapping Break]Andrew on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Halloween Wars : HERE Learn More About Sweet Deceit: HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef Claudette Zepeda returns to the show to talk about where she is in her journey to earn a “PhD in Humanity” and what’s changed since the last time she was on. Claudette talks about what it meant to author her first cookbook and just how personal the pages get. She goes on to create an incredible imaginary dinner of dream guests before jumping into all the details on the new Food Network show Bobby Flay’s The Line. Claudette talks about what sets this show apart from other competitions, how true it is to the actual restaurant world, and what it was like to work alongside Bobby Flay. She talks about the challenges of serving real patrons and the crazy pressure the competitors are under before sharing her hospitality philosophy. Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Claudette on Instagram: HERE Learn More about The Line: HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Zimmern returns to the pod to talk about Pitmasters, Food Network's bold new barbecue competition series. Andrew shares why he waited years before saying yes to a competition show, and what makes Pitmasters different from traditional cooking competitions. Later, Andrew reflects on how food media has evolved, why great storytelling will always outlast technology, and the inspiration behind The Blue Food Cookbook. He explains why cooking more seafood can benefit both our health and the planet, and he reveals the barbecue side-dishes on his own personal Mount Rushmore. Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Andrew on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Pitmasters : HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Terry Crews joins the pod to talk about his latest role as host of 100 Cooks, Food Network's biggest cooking competition ever. Terry shares what it was like stepping into a kitchen with 100 home cooks competing at once, why the energy on set was unlike anything he's experienced before, and how the series balances high-stakes competition with genuine encouragement and heart.  Later, Terry reflects on his remarkable career, from the NFL to Hollywood, and why he's always been drawn to new challenges. He opens up about creativity, fitness, his love of painting, the game-day foods he can't live without, and what surprised him most about the passion, resilience, and camaraderie of the home cooks competing on 100 Cooks.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Terry on Instagram: HERE Learn More about 100 Cooks: HERE  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pastry chef and content creator Allison Chen joins the pod to share her unconventional journey from studying neuroscience … to attending pastry school in France. Allison reflects on learning French pastry techniques, running a tasting-menu out of her college apartment, and how documenting the experience online unexpectedly launched her career as a creator.  Later, Allison talks about bringing one of her favorite childhood desserts, tangyuan, to Food Network’s digital series Dig In With, why food stories resonate more than recipes alone, and how she approaches making baking feel approachable for millions of followers.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Allison on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Allsion’s episode of Dig In With: HERE  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt join the pod to talk about their latest project, the all-new HGTV Smart Home 2026.   The winningest duo on HGTV shares what it was like designing the $1.3 million Orlando dream home, the challenge of balancing luxury with smart technology, and the features they’re most excited for fans to see… including hidden rooms, a shoe carousel, a four-screen TV wall, and a backyard built for year-round vacation living. They also discuss why involving their daughter Jade in the design process made this Smart Home experience especially meaningful.   Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE  Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE  Follow Brian & Mika on Instagram: HERE  Learn More about HGTV Dream Home: HERE  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maneet Chauhan joins the pod to talk about one of Food Network’s most ambitious competitions yet: Chopped Castaways. Maneet shares what it was like judging a group of chefs dropped onto a remote island. She reveals why the experience felt unlike anything she’s ever done on television and why some of the food served on the island ranks among the best she’s ever tasted on Chopped.  Maneet also reflects on her latest season of BBQ Brawl, including welcoming Brooke Williamson into the captain’s chair, the emotional responsibility that comes with mentoring a team, and why helping chefs recognize their own potential is her favorite part of the job. Plus, she shares stories from her life in Nashville, her philosophy on following culinary instincts, her quest to saber 50 bottles of champagne before turning 50, and her ultimate Nashville food day.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Maneet on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Chopped Castaways: HERE  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef Gabe Bertaccini joins the pod to talk about his latest Food Network adventure, Chopped Castaways, a wild new spin on Chopped that drops elite chefs onto a remote island where strategy, survival, and cooking skills all collide. Gabe breaks down what made the experience so intense, what surprised him most about judging in that environment, and why the show pushes chefs in completely different ways than a traditional kitchen competition.  Gabe also dives into his digital series Cook Like an Italian, sharing how the show became a way to make Italian cooking feel approachable, relaxed, and rooted in joy rather than perfection. He talks about teaching techniques in a more specific, practical way for home cooks, why simplicity matters so much in Italian food, and how creating digital content allows him to connect with audiences differently than competition television.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Gabe on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Chopped Castaways: HERE  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cassie Yeung joins the pod to share her excitement on being named to the 2026 Food Network Hot List. She talks about the viral “hangover ramen” video that changed her life, growing up in a food-obsessed household, and why she believes cooking should always be guided by “no measurements, just vibes.”  Later, Cassie dives into her New York Times bestselling cookbook Bad Bitch in the Kitch, explains why she fought to keep the title, and breaks down the philosophy behind making approachable, craveable Asian-inspired recipes for a social-first audience. Plus: emotional support pickles, dumpling hacks, and Cassie’s perfect food day around the world.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Cassie on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Food Network’s Hot List: HERE  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef, restaurateur, and Food Network fan-favorite Jet Tila returns to the pod for a catch-up on everything from family life to building a career that spans restaurants, television, cookbooks, and teaching.  Jet dives into the new season of Ready Jet Cook, breaking down the philosophy behind fast, flavor-packed cooking and why teaching the “why” behind techniques is just as important as the recipes themselves. He shares what keeps him coming back to competition shows, and how he approaches pressure in the kitchen after years of competing. Plus, later on, Jet turns the tables on Jaymee to ask her about her perfect food day.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE  Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE  Follow Jet on Instagram: HERE  Learn More about Ready Jet Cook: HERE  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pitmaster and restaurateur Rashad Jones joins the pod to talk about his journey from backyard barbecue obsession to building Big Lee's Barbecue into a barbecue destination. Rashad shares the Thanksgiving meal that sparked it all, the legacy of Uncle Leon, and how hospitality became the foundation of everything he does.  He also opens up about his “renegade barbecue” style, the Food Network recipes that mean the most to him, and his return to BBQ Brawl - this time as a judge. Plus, Rashad breaks down what makes great barbecue, the pressure of competition, and his ultimate barbecue side dish Mount Rushmore.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE  Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE  Follow Rashad on Instagram: HERE  Learn More about BBQ Brawl: HERE  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef, restaurateur, and Food Network favorite Esther Choi returns to the pod to catch up on a massive new chapter of life: Motherhood. Esther opens up about her debut cookbook, and her new Food Network YouTube series, Cooking with Choi.   Esther dives into her upcoming cookbook, Hand Taste: Cook Like a Korean Grandmother, why kimchi was non-negotiable for the book, and what readers can expect from the recipes. Plus, she talks about finally getting to live out a lifelong dream: teaching people how to cook on screen with her new series Cooking with Choi.  And later, Esther breaks down the chaos of co-hosting 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, what it’s like surviving 36 straight hours on set, why chefs are lining up to compete in one of Food Network’s toughest competitions, and what really separates the last chef standing from everyone else  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Esther on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Cooking with Choi: HERE Learn More about Food Network 24 in 24: HERE  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Kenny on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Tournament of Champions: HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.