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.

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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.

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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.

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• Learn More about Food Network’s Hot List: HERE

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Zoha Malik, the creator behind Bake With Zoha, joins the pod to talk about being named to Food Network’s Hot List and how a weekend baking hobby turned into one of the most popular dessert accounts on the internet. She shares how teaching herself baking from scratch shaped her approach to recipes, why understanding the “why” behind baking matters, and how a single viral brownie video helped kickstart her community.

Zoha also dives into the cultural influences behind her desserts, from growing up in Pakistan surrounded by family meals and cardamom-infused sweets to blending nostalgic flavors with classic American baking.

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