Food Network Obsessed

Maxine Sharf joins the pod to talk about turning an unexpected layoff into a full-time career in food and the family recipes that inspired Maxi's Kitchen. She shares how cooking connects her to her heritage, what it was like creating her New York Times bestselling cookbook, and why finding joy in the kitchen matters more than perfection. Plus, she shares her favorite dishes for every occasion in a game of "What's Your Go-To? Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Maxine on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Maxi’s Kitchen : HERE

Danielle Sepsy joins the pod to talk about turning a childhood love of baking into The Hungry Gnome and bringing her most trusted recipes to Best Bake Ever. She shares how her grandmother inspired her, why she started selling scones at just 13 years old and how The Big Brunch helped her embrace her title as the “Scone Queen.” Danielle also opens up about baking as therapy, filming her new series while eight-and-a-half months pregnant and teaching viewers that great baking doesn’t have to be intimidating. Plus, she sends The Hungry Gnome on a culinary tour of New York City in a game of “Gnome Alone 2: Lost in New York.” Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Danielle Sepsy on Instagram: HERE Learn More about Best Bake Ever : HERE

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

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

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

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: HEREFollow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HEREFollow Andrew on Instagram: HERELearn More about Pitmasters : HERE