Food Network Obsessed

Duff Goldman shares what it’s like parenting a creative four-year-old who recently requested a brain cake—complete with eyeballs—for her birthday. The baker discusses his daughter’s intense focus and how it mirrors his own tunnel-vision approach to baking and woodworking. He dishes on the inspiration he draws from the baking competitions he hosts and how they help him stay on top of evolving pastry trends. Duff shares behind-the-scenes stories from his new show Super Mega Cakes, where he takes on six elaborate cake builds at once with a limited team. The baker discusses the intense physical and creative challenges of making cakes with moving parts, holograms, and surprising interactive features. He dishes on how his woodworking skills—honed through cake construction—led to his new Etsy shop and passion for toy-making. Duff shares plans for hand-crafted rolling pins and reflects on his lifelong evolution from graffiti artist to cake decorator to woodworker.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Duff Goldman on Instagram: HERE Subscribe to Duff Goldman on YouTube: HERE Learn More About Super Mega Cakes: HERE 

and reflects on why women have excelled in the competition. The chef shares her intense experience joining BBQ Brawl as a first-time captain, calling it the toughest challenge she’s faced, with high stakes, unpredictable elements, and deep emotional investment. She dishes on the camaraderie and competitive spirit among fellow captains Bobby Flay and Antonia Lofaso, and how she mentored her team by encouraging them to play to their strengths. Maneet talks about her new series, Maneet’s Eats, created to simplify Indian cooking with easy, approachable recipes and everyday ingredients. She shares her excitement about bringing Indian flavors to Disney Springs with her restaurant, eet, where dishes like chicken tikka naan pizza help introduce traditional cuisine in a familiar way. Maneet reflects on the evolution of Nashville’s food scene and how her restaurants blend her Indian heritage with Southern influences.   Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Maneet Chauhan on Instagram: HERE Learn More About BBQ Brawl: HERE Learn More About Maneet’s Eats: HERE 

Antonia Lofaso reflects on her Tournament of Champions win and how her competitive mindset evolved, fueling her return with determination and the drive to outperform previous seasons. The chef shares her confidence going into the competition, drawing strength from her experience and comfort in the high-pressure arena. She recounts the intense final battle with Sara Bradley, breaking down the challenges of the randomizer and her strategy for making sausage under extreme time constraints. Antonia dishes on the emotional moment of victory, finally overcoming a string of near-wins to claim her first major culinary title. The chef details her experience as a new captain on BBQ Brawl, describing the learning curve of balancing coaching and cooking while managing a diverse team. She talks about her camaraderie with fellow captains, her admiration for the show’s production, and the challenges posed by both weather and primal-style cooking tasks.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE  Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE  Follow Antonia Lofaso on Instagram: HERE  Learn More About BBQ Brawl: HERE 

Bryan Voltaggio shares his earliest food memory of helping make creamed corn with neighbors in Frederick, Maryland—an experience that sparked his love for food and community. The chef discusses how his early interests in marine biology and the outdoors gave way to a culinary career after landing a busboy job that led him into the kitchen. He reveals how quickly he rose through the ranks and later manifested his dream of opening a restaurant in his hometown. Bryan reflects on teaming up with his brother Michael to create Wye Oak Tavern, a modern tavern in a historic, converted chapel, and how they added their own spin to historical local dishes, including an apple dumpling dessert inspired by a former girls’ school tradition. He talks about balancing family life, from lacrosse games to Sunday dinners, and how his aviation hobby brings a structured mindset to his kitchen leadership. He dives into the grueling yet rewarding experience of competing on 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, crediting his endurance, organization, and drive for getting him to the finale—still chasing that elusive win.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Bryan Voltaggio on Instagram: HERE Learn More About 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing: HERE 

Kelsey Murphy describes growing up in an Italian-Polish family, where her love of food was shaped by comforting homemade meals and early kitchen memories with her grandmother. The chef discusses her unexpected pivot from a decade-long career in physical therapy to pursuing her culinary passion after becoming a mother. She explains how her food concept, Inspo, inside Lucas Oil Stadium blends fast-service efficiency with her commitment to handmade, elevated game-day fare. Kelsey talks about the mental and physical challenges of competing on 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing and why the real-time, high-pressure format drew her in. She reflects on the joy she finds in food television and the meaningful relationships she’s built with fellow chefs through the competition. The chef reveals her ultimate dream of bringing a James Beard Award to Indianapolis and continuing to grow as both a chef and media personality.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Kelsey Murphy on Instagram: HERE Learn More About 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing: HERE 

Brian Malarkey discusses opening Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge in his Oregon hometown, a cowboy-inspired restaurant he built with his brother that has quickly become a lively community hub. The chef reflects on how the project brought him back to his roots and sparked a “ranch to plate” philosophy, complete with CBD-fed cattle, a custom butcher shop, and a deep commitment to local sourcing. Brian opens up about his new role as host of Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out, a reboot he describes as equal parts entertainment and education. He talks about designing sabotage challenges that are grounded in real-world cooking scenarios, all set within a high-energy kitchen arena where both chaos and creativity thrive. The chef touches on his personal transformation, including his journey to sobriety and the launch of a new podcast with his partner, centered on growth, connection, and living life with intention.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Brian Malarkey on Instagram: HERE Learn More About Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out: HERE 

Michael Symon discusses his latest cookbook, Symon’s Dinners Cooking Out, which brings the heart and soul of his laid-back backyard cooking show to the page with approachable recipes. Michael shares how he and his wife Liz created the show during the pandemic, emphasizing authentic, unscripted cooking that teaches technique over perfection. He dishes on grilling unexpected items like chocolate bundt cake and pasta, and highlights sides like charred chicory and his beloved Ohio sweet corn. The chef talks about selling the home where the show was filmed and starting a new garden from scratch, offering advice on companion planting, soil learning, and beginner-friendly crops. He shares his philosophy on outdoor entertaining, from setting up a DIY outdoor kitchen to crafting the perfect hosting experience. Michael gives a behind-the-scenes look at season two of 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, revealing how the competition has leveled up with more acclaimed chefs, surprise twists, and a deeper, more raw look at what it truly means to be a chef under pressure.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Michael Symon on Instagram: HERE Learn More About 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing: HERE 

The winning duo of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, Zoe Burmester and Jordan Pilarski, reflect on the surreal moment of winning the magical baking competition. Zoe shares how her background in film and TV set design influences her cake artistry. Jordan explains how his early interest in architecture evolved into a passion for pastry, viewing his creations as edible structures that blend precision with artistry. The bakers reflect on their first meeting for Wizards of Baking, revealing how quickly they had to build trust and collaboration in a high-pressure environment. Zoe and Jordan describe their most difficult moment in the competition, the chandelier challenge, as a test of patience, adaptability, and sheer willpower. The two express pride in their victory and the emotional payoff of creating a six-foot showpiece that brought their final vision to life. They celebrate the release of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking: The Official Companion Guide, which brings their magical recipes from the show into the hands of home bakers everywhere. Zoe and Jordan excitedly preview their next project which will showcase their dual perspectives on beloved desserts.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Zoe Burmester on Instagram: HERE Follow Jordan Pilarski on Instagram: HERELearn More About Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking: HERE

Sara Bradley shares how her upbringing in a Jewish-Southern Appalachian household shaped her love of cooking, from matzo ball soup to savory French toast inspired by childhood breakfasts. She discusses her decision to return home to Paducah, Kentucky to open Freight House, drawn by a desire to contribute meaningfully to her community and be closer to family. The chef reflects on the emotional moment she learned Freight House had been named a James Beard Award semi-finalist and what the recognition means for a rural restaurant. Sara dives into Kentucky bourbon culture, explaining her approach to pairing and cooking with bourbon while celebrating the nuanced flavors. She shares her experience competing on Tournament of Champions for the first time, revealing how her calm, methodical style and strategic preparation helped her hold her own against seasoned veterans. She highlights her mission to create a more sustainable, family-friendly restaurant industry by supporting working parents and offering benefits like paid leave and scheduled time off.  Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE Follow Sara Bradley on Instagram: HERE Learn More About Tournament of Champions: HERE