Food Network Obsessed

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...

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 speak...

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...

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 cont...

Food blogger Meiko Temple dishes on her shift from corporate America to content creator and the skills she had to massage to take her content to the next level. The Dallas resident discusses her thought process during recipe development, leaning in to what her friends need out of food. She talks about pulling inspiration from her grandmother who taught her how to cook in her San Diego kitchen at a...

Content creator Samah Dada talks about the evolution of how cataloging her meals turned into a full time venture with @DadaEats. Samah describes her “accidental” cooking style and how she incorporates her plant-based lifestyle with the flavors of her Indian heritage. She talks about her most significant culinary influences and minimal approach to meals. Samah pleads for those who are bored with ve...

Chef Antonia Lofaso returns to talk all things summer and Beachside Brawl. Antonia reflects on her childhood summers in Long Island, sharing fond memories of throwing block parties and shooting off fireworks. Having lived on both coasts, Antonia shares some of the key differences between East and West Coast food. Antonia reveals how she adapts her restaurant menu to embrace the changing seasons an...

Executive chef Carlos Anthony shares the details of his recent engagement and how his mentor, Brian Malarkey, helped make it happen. Carlos shares how growing up in a Hispanic home inspired his love of cooking and the techniques he uses in the kitchen. The Tucson native reflects on his hometown as he has witnessed it grow into a culinary destination. Now a San Diego resident, Carlos dishes on the...

James Beard Award-winning chef, southern pitmaster, restaurateur and judge on BBQ Brawl, Rodney Scott dishes on his secret sauce to success. He unpacks how his craft was born out of a middle school basketball rivalry and the weekly family tradition of cooking whole hogs that he inherited. From backyard cookouts feeding his big family to neighborhood feasts, he remembers lighting up the grill and w...

Chef Eddie Jackson returns to update listeners on what he’s been up to for the past few years and how his new show, Outchef’d, came about. Eddie describes what it’s like to trick home chefs into thinking they are at an audition when really, they are going to have to cook against a world-renowned chef. He reveals some of the craziest reactions on the show and what it’s really like to go out in the...

Private chef Natalia Rosario shares her experience starring in and winning the first season of Ciao House. Natalia reflects on an injury that threatened her culinary career, revealing why she now considers it one of the best things to happen to her. She compares her time working in a Michelin-Star restaurant to her current role, as a private chef. The Chicago resident dishes on behind-the-scenes m...

Father, chef, restaurateur and Beachside Brawl West Coast Captain Brian Malarkey talks about his many titles and how his cowboy upbringing influenced his style of cooking. He shares early memories of wrangling, befriending and serving cattle for supper as a child on a hundred acre ranch. Brian reveals the unique way he rebelled and how growing up everything from TV dinners to fine dining shaped hi...

Film noir virtuoso, mixologist and writer Eddie Muller sets the stage for his lifelong passion of storytelling and cultural conversations. The San Francisco-born renaissance man reflects on changes the city has experienced before his eyes, from a blue collar small town to an art-inspired explosion of creativity. He reveals his and his wife’s secret to finding the perfect eatery and their favorite...

James Beard Award-nominee, chef and cookbook author Lee Anne Wong introduces listeners to her restaurant, Koko Head Cafe. She shares what inspired her to launch the concept in Tokyo and Honolulu and the destinations’ appeal. The New York native spills unique challenges and advantages that come with running businesses in Hawaii and Japan. Then, she reflects on her unexpected family reunion while fi...

Critically-acclaimed pastry chef Paola Velez shares the interesting story of her opera scholarship and the moment she knew she wanted to dive into baking full-time. Paola talks about her many accolades over the years and shares her biggest fear when it comes to success. She shares the story behind creating the world’s largest bake sale and why social justice initiatives, like Bakers Against Racism...

Harvard graduate, entrepreneur and chef, Nick DiGiovanni dishes on his plans to break his ninth Guinness World Record. The philanthropist reflects on his favorite one yet, a wholesome holiday donation that made a massive impact. Nick shares what led him to create the first-ever sustainable food major at his Ivy League school. While crafting curriculums with professors, working on his senior thesis...

Award-winning Venezuelan chef Adriana Urbina shares her inspiring story about immigrating to the states to pursue her passion for holistic nutrition. She explains the influence her home has on the flavors and textures she incorporates in her recipes and gives fans a taste of traditional Venezuelan dishes. Adriana shares her favorite memories from traveling to and cooking in France, Spain and Venez...

Challenger chef, judge and the owner of Mŏkbar, Esther Choi shares her introduction to the culinary world and mission to celebrate Korean culture through her craft. She reflects on her initial introduction to Food Network and treasured memories made while cooking with her grandmother. Chef Esther emphasizes the value of cooking with fresh, homegrown ingredients, making each element by hand and oth...

Italian chef, writer and television personality Gabe Bertaccini dishes on his experience hosting the first season of Ciao House. Chef Gabe compares his craft to the art of storytelling and details his mission to share the mouthwatering flavors of his culture with a broader audience. He opens up about the added pressures and purpose that he felt representing his roots through food and paints a stun...

Pop-up restaurateur, culinary show competitor and Jersey Shore chef, Britt Rescigno dives into the roots of her nickname, the “Angry Italian.” The intense chef opens up about the rush she felt stepping onto her first set kitchen, her competitive background and family ties to food. Caught red handed with a Ratatouille tat, Britt shares the special meaning behind her ink. She reflects on her upbring...

Interior architect, designer and television host, Taniya Nayak joins us to share how she achieves the unimaginable on Restaurant: Impossible. She reveals how she and her husband began their successful professional partnership and gives fans a glimpse inside their dinner dates, which double as strategic meetings to inspire future concepts. Taniya shares the key experience every restaurant designer...

Henry Laporte, the viral TikTokker “Salt Hank,” shares how he went from doom scrolling during the pandemic to being featured on Crack an Egg With. Hank dishes on his decision to quit his marketing job and pursue a career as a culinary content creator when his first video went viral. Famously capturing attention with a satisfying crunch and holding it through his creations’ completion, he details h...

Award-winning chef, Food Network Hot Lister and half of the power team who launched Beto & Son, Julian Rodarte stars in this episode. He credits his abuelita’s resourceful culinary skills and his father’s food artistry for inspiring his success. Julian reveals what it took to get his mentor to support his dreams and when he began pursuing this passion. He compares what he learned about the technic...

Award-winning chef, restaurateur and creator of several food lines, Stephanie Izard takes us on a culinary exploration of entrepreneurship. On a mission to create pleasant and inviting experiences for her diners, she’s opened seven unique restaurants in Chicago and LA that bring international flavors to upscale, casual dining tables. She shares the inspiration behind her goat-themed endeavors and...

Seattle-based chef Shota Nakajima talks about how he processes achievements, like making the Food Network Hotlist, and how he tends to take things one day at a time. Shota describes how the Pacific Northwest shaped his culinary perspective and how he enjoys being in nature to forage for ingredients and clear his mind. He shares how he fell in love with the hospitality industry by holding down two...