Food Network Obsessed

Chef Justin Sutherland shares how his Obachan, or grandmother, influenced his love for cooking at a young age and granted his wish for an Easy Bake Oven when he was five years old. He talks about pursuing law school after his undergraduate degree and what ultimately made him pivot to culinary school in Atlanta. Justin talks about the grind of paying his dues early in his career and what he learned...

Chef Mei Lin talks about her experience growing up in her parents’ Chinese restaurant and how being up-close-and-personal to their work shaped her culinary perspective. She shares her formative experiences in the kitchen working with The Voltaggio Brothers and Wolfgang Puck, her strategy for working your way up the ranks in the kitchen, and who her closest industry confidantes are today. Mei revea...

Eric Adjepong talks about growing up in a West African home in New York City and his early food memories. He talks about always having a sense of his career path and why he chose to pursue degrees in nutrition and public health to supplement his culinary knowledge. Eric talks about his decision to focus on West African cuisine while competing on TV and what it means to elevate the foods of his her...

Long-time Chopped judge and chef, Chris Santos, talks about his never-ending quest for the best burger and his current favorite burger style. He talks about the real reason he started working in a kitchen at just thirteen and why he considers himself a “self-taught” chef. Chris shares his favorite parts of opening restaurants and what inspired the bright idea of a working pawn shop at his restaura...

Chef Jordan Andino clears up what it means when he was named “hottest chef” and describes what his twenties were like as he was navigating his career. He shares his experiences learning from his father in the kitchen, and the first dish he ever nailed perfectly. Jordan shares how formal culinary education sharpened his business acumen and his thoughts on being a successful chef and entrepreneur. J...

Mayday! Mayday! The chefs and foodies are stranded on a desert island with nothing but an appetite, and they're sharing the one dish they simply can't live without. Episode content: Alex Guarnaschelli brings along her must-have paella from Black Bull in Chicago. Duff Goldman turns to an irresistible doughnut from Baltimore's Paradise Donuts. Monti Carlo goes with pork chop from La Fabrica Central...

Hear from your favorite Food Network stars about America's best dishes that just might burst your buttons. Episode content: Anne Burrell faces off against a gut-busting club sandwich from Little Goat Diner in Chicago Courtney Rada takes you to Harold’s New York Deli Restaurant for the XL corned beef & pastrami sandwich in Edison, NJ. Katie Lee Biegel needs her stretchy pants when eating the cacio...

Beloved pastry chef, Caroline Schiff, talks about her statement head of hair before describing what a typical day in her life looks like. She talks about her love of running, including her favorite New York City running route, and the surprising physical demands of being a pastry chef. Caroline talks about her path to pastry via a French degree and love of fashion and how all of these interests ha...

Marc Murphy, Chopped judge and esteemed chef, shares his interesting childhood and who his royal babysitter was in the late seventies. He talks about his early days in New York City and how couch surfing and cooking dinners for his rent inspired him to pursue culinary school. Marc talks about the differences in European and American kitchens, how his cooking style has evolved over the years and wh...

Dan Langan shares his favorite holiday traditions and how his love for baking began. He shares the nostalgic smell that brings back childhood memories and his advice for getting kids involved in baking early and safely. Dan shares his favorite food spots in Philadelphia and describes exactly what Philly butter cake is. He talks about the inspiration behind his blog, Baked by Dan, what content is m...

Duff Goldman shares how his nickname came to be and the creative forces that shape his larger-than-life cakes. He talks about the craft he is working on for his daughter, being a new father and the advice he would give to dads. Duff reveals the cover band he was in and tells a crazy story about playing with a certain Foo Fighters front-man. He shares the reason he decided to study history and phil...

Brooke Williamson shares the driving force behind her go-getter attitude and success at such a young age. Brooke shares her thoughts as a 19 year-old cooking at the James Beard House and how confidence is key as a woman in a male-dominated industry. She talks about why she decided not to attend culinary school and the lessons she learned from opening her first restaurant at just 24 years old. Broo...

Hunter Fieri talks about growing up with a superstar father and the lessons he has learned as he forges his own path. Hunter talks about how his family and life changed after his dad, Guy Fieri, won Food Network Star when he was just ten years old. Hunter shares his favorite moments from his life-changing European trip with his father and the country he would most like to visit again. He talks abo...

Cake artist Shinmin Li shares her experiences from culinary school down under to creating the world’s first cake gallery. Shinmin talks about how intuition has guided her life decisions and led her to Sydney, Australia for culinary school. She talks about what she loves about Aussie culture and her first experiences in a bakery. Shinmin reveals the craziest and most complex cake creations she has...

Stephanie Boswell chats about her career, chef-inspired tattoos, and filming Halloween Baking Championship. Stephanie shares the story behind her two Michelin star tattoos with host Jaymee Sire before diving into the various places her career has taken her. From Chicago to Beverly Hills, Stephanie talks about the lessons learned and innovative dessert creations along the way. She reveals the child...

Rebel chef Justin Warner shares his journey from winning Food Network Star to his quest to become the ultimate Bon Vivant. Justin talks about starting his own podcast and pursuing the things that make life good. He talks about how he first learned to cook and the resources he used before the internet became what it is today. Justin reveals the various influences that have shaped his culinary point...

Trisha Yearwood, country music star and host of Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, joins host Jaymee Sire to share her journey to country music and home cook superstar. Trisha gives her twenty-six year old younger self advice and shares why she relates to her astrological sign. She talks about her creative process and the “pinch me” moments of her career so far and offers advice for aspiring music artists...

Pastry chef Zac Young talks about how he became Sprinklemaster, his whimsical dessert creations and Halloween Baking Championship. Zac chats with host Jaymee Sire about his epic Piecaken creation, how it created a pumpkin puree shortage in New York City, and what would be in an ideal “Zacaken.” He shares his sources of creative inspiration, how he conceptualizes new and playful ideas, and what he...

Vallery Lomas shares how she made the career pivot from lawyer to baking superstar. Vallery, also known as the Foodie in New York, reveals her go-to spots in the city and her definition of a “foodie.” She talks about her earliest food memories growing up in Baton Rouge and the first delightful dessert she learned to make. Vallery talks about how the recession and loss of a promised job after law s...

Aarti Sequeira, season six winner of Food Network Star, spills the tea on motherhood, mental health and how food brings us all together. This week on Food Network Obsessed, host Jaymee Sire talks with Aarti Sequeira about how the “food memories” of our past actively shape our future. She shares what it was like growing up in Bombay and Dubai, and how the weekly fish market trips with her family sp...

Sabin Lomac, founder of Cousins Maine Lobster, talks about growing a single food truck to a multimillion-dollar business. Sabin talks to host Jaymee Sire about his childhood growing up with a single mom in Maine and how a nostalgic conversation with his cousin turned into a popular West Coast food truck. Sabin talks about his relationship with investor and mentor Barbara Corcoran and the challenge...

Award-winning food blogger Molly Yeh talks about her life on a beet farm and the influences that inform her colorful recipes. Molly Yeh chats with host Jaymee Sire about the recipe that skyrocketed her blog to popularity after its conception in 2009 and how her life now closely resembles a romantic comedy. Molly talks about her childhood as the daughter of professional musicians and why she chose...

Erica Blaire, season two winner of BBQ Brawl, talks how she utilized her experience as a criminal defense lawyer to be named Master of ’Cue. Erica, otherwise known as Blue Smoke Blaire in the pit, reveals her reaction to being chosen for Bobby Flay’s team and what she learned from him during the competition. She shares her worst barbecue disaster, ever, and how her dad’s love for barbecue and drea...

Buddy Valastro shares the story of taking over his father’s bakery at 17 and overcoming a career-threatening hand injury. He talks about how reality television flipped his family’s life upside down and skyrocketed his family bakery to becoming a household name. Buddy shares the history of Carlo’s Bakery, the humbling life lessons his father taught him, and the importance of carrying on his father’...

This week, host Jaymee Sire talks to chef and restaurateur Cliff Crooks about his experience opening more than 20 restaurants and how the landscape of restaurants has changed over the course of his career. Chef Cliff talks about his tough love approach to mentorship, the most challenging elements of restaurant management and what he has learned over the years. Cliff reveals his favorite culinary s...