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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: HERE

Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE

Follow Andrew on Instagram: HERE

Learn More about Pitmasters : HERE

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Terry Crews joins the pod to talk about his latest role as host of 100 Cooks, Food Network's biggest cooking competition ever. Terry shares what it was like stepping into a kitchen with 100 home cooks competing at once, why the energy on set was unlike anything he's experienced before, and how the series balances high-stakes competition with genuine encouragement and heart.

Later, Terry reflects on his remarkable career, from the NFL to Hollywood, and why he's always been drawn to new challenges. He opens up about creativity, fitness, his love of painting, the game-day foods he can't live without, and what surprised him most about the passion, resilience, and camaraderie of the home cooks competing on 100 Cooks.

• Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE
• Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE
• Follow Terry on Instagram: HERE
• Learn More about 100 Cooks: HERE

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pastry chef and content creator Allison Chen joins the pod to share her unconventional journey from studying neuroscience … to attending pastry school in France. Allison reflects on learning French pastry techniques, running a tasting-menu out of her college apartment, and how documenting the experience online unexpectedly launched her career as a creator.

Later, Allison talks about bringing one of her favorite childhood desserts, tangyuan, to Food Network’s digital series Dig In With, why food stories resonate more than recipes alone, and how she approaches making baking feel approachable for millions of followers.

• Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE
• Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE
• Follow Allison on Instagram: HERE
• Learn More about Allsion’s episode of Dig In With: HERE

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt join the pod to talk about their latest project, the all-new HGTV Smart Home 2026.

The winningest duo on HGTV shares what it was like designing the $1.3 million Orlando dream home, the challenge of balancing luxury with smart technology, and the features they’re most excited for fans to see… including hidden rooms, a shoe carousel, a four-screen TV wall, and a backyard built for year-round vacation living. They also discuss why involving their daughter Jade in the design process made this Smart Home experience especially meaningful.

Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE

Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE

Follow Brian & Mika on Instagram: HERE

Learn More about HGTV Dream Home: HERE

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.