Since January 2021, Discovery network channels have become accessible on its exclusive streaming platform, Discovery Plus. Aside from their usual shows, subscribers can also watch content from other networks, and the Food Network is among them. No worries, though, because it’ll still be on your television if it’s included in your live TV streaming package.

In keeping up with the changing times, we’ve listed some of the biggest names that came out of the Food Network. Let’s see how far they’ve come, from when they first graced our TV screens up to now that we have all sorts of screens available to our hearts’ content!

Sandra Lee – Then – Semi-Homemade Cooking With Sandra Lee

Sandra Lee’s childhood was far from perfect. Her mom was abusive, while his dad was a criminal. Because of this, she had to live with different family members. At the time, her mother was battling prescription drug addiction.

Lee was 27 when she left university to create her label Kurtain Kraft, which ended up becoming a big hit, grossing $6 million in its initial nine months. For folks who aren’t as experienced in the kitchen, Lee’s “Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee” was a breath of fresh air upon its 2003 debut on the Food Network.

Sandra Lee – Now – A Daytime Emmy-Winner

After Sandra Lee joined the Food Network, many things happened, including being invited to present another show titled “Sandra’s Money Saving Meals,” which aired in 2009. She’s also authored 27 books, including her 2007 memoir “Made From Scratch.”

In 2005, Lee split from her first husband of four years, Bruce Karatz, and began dating New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. But after 14 years together, the pair broke up in 2019. Lee, an internationally acclaimed Daytime Emmy-winner, got engaged to an interfaith leader, actor, and producer named Ben Youcef in 2021.

Anne Burrell- Then – Secrets Of A Restaurant Chef

The Food Network hit the airwaves in 1993, and back then, it went by TV Food Network. After a few years, it got its groove and went on to launch the careers of many celebrity chefs. So what are the best of them up to now? Well, let’s start with Anne Burrell.

The former Institute of Culinary Education instructor was the host of two shows on the network: “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef” (2008) and “Worst Cooks in America” (2010). However, her Food Network debut came in 2005 upon serving as the sous chef of Chef Mario Batali on “Iron Chef America.”

Anne Burrell – Now – Longtime Cast Of Worst Cooks In America

Anne Burrell stayed with the Food Network and hosted “Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell” between 2012 and 2013. Nonetheless, the “Worst Cooks in America” TV show is her longest project, being part of it from 2010 until 2021.

In April 2020, Burrell shared that she was betrothed to a Univision ad sales marketing personnel named Stuart Claxton. As per People magazine, their union transpired at the bride’s hometown of Cazenovia, New York, in October 2021. Of course, Burrell made the menu, and among her four bridesmaids was Rachael Ray (a close friend and fellow Food Network star).

Rachael Ray - Then - 30 Minute Meals

Rachael Ray is a self-taught cook who made it big as a chef when her television career took off with the “30 Minute Meals” series in 2001. She has also presented famous food shows like “Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels and $40 a Day.” In 2006, her talk show “The Rachael Ray Show” came out after gaining a broader audience from her “The Oprah Winfrey Show” appearances.

Ray, who has her own cookware and pet food line, extended her company to interior design with a line of blankets, sheets, and coverlets through WestPoint Home. She then launched the Rachael Ray Home Collection in 2016.

Rachael Ray - Now - Author Of 20+ Books

After releasing 20+ cookbooks and making herself a fortune of $100 million, Rachael Ray is still well-known in the food industry. Her newest written offering comes in 2021’s “This Must Be the Place: Dispatches & Food from the Home Front.”

Ray, who voiced a character on the “Butterbean’s Café” series in 2019, saw “30 Minute Meals” make a come back to the Food Network that same year. The show can also be streamed via Discovery Plus. As for “The Rachael Ray Show,” it’s still going strong in its 16th season. Ray has also found new audiences on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

Amy Finley – Then – The Next Food Network Star

After becoming the third season champion of “The Next Food Network Star,” Amy Finley instantly became famous. After all, she got awarded the honor of presenting “The Gourmet Next Door.” The show’s premiere took place in 2007, and it was all about gourmet recipes for families to recreate at home with ease.

Sadly, the show got canceled after six episodes because Finley had to leave due to a grave family crisis. She then moved with her family from San Diego to a Burgundy, France, rural farm. There, she penned a memoir titled “How To Eat In A Small Country.”

Amy Finley – Now – Paris-Trained Cook & Pastry Chef

Eventually, Amy Finley and her family made a return to their San Diego hometown. In 2012, she made an appearance on an episode of “Chopped.” However, she got eliminated from the Food Network show after the second round.

Finley is still part of the culinary world and has been a writer for magazines like Bon Appetit and San Diego Magazine. She has also appeared on “Splendid Table” and “The View.” The Paris-trained cook and pastry chef has food influences rooted in her French grandmother’s cooking and her ultimate idol, Julia Child.

Kelsey Nixon – Then – Kelsey’s Essentials

Although she only got as far as being part of the final four on “The Next Food Network Star,” Kelsey Nixon’s delightful personality was what made her beloved by viewers. Because of this, the Food Network just had to give her a show, Kelsey’s Essentials, which began airing in 2010. The series lasted for five seasons.

Before growing into an internationally cherished TV personality, Nixon went to college. It was where she created and presented “Kelsey’s Kitchen.” The cooking YouTube channel was all about quick, enjoyable, and budget-friendly recipes for college students.

Kelsey Nixon – Now – Owner Of A Product Line With HSN

“Kelsey’s Essentials” ended in 2016, but it did win Kelsey Nixon a Daytime Emmy nod. Apart from her show, she also makes frequent appearances on “Rachael Ray” and the “Today Show.”

Aside from being part of the entertainment business, Nixon is also the owner of a product line with HSN. It features a rotating cast of state-of-the-art kitchen equipment and miniature tools that can optimize one’s cooking. The author of “Kitchen Confidence is a proud mother of two with her partner, Robby Egan. She and her family reside in Portland, Oregon.

Jeffrey Saad – Then – The Next Food Network Star

Another celebrity chef that came out of “The Next Food Network Star” is Jeffrey Saad, who initially hit the screens upon winning as a runner-up for the show’s fifth season. His passion for the food business started at the age of 13 when he took a job at a diner located at the back of his junior high school.

After he graduated, Saad enrolled in Iowa State’s Hotel Restaurant Management Program. After a few years had passed, he traveled to Mexico to explore its local cuisine. Everything he learned eventually led him to open a Mexican-style restaurant called Sweet Heat.

Jeffrey Saad – Now – Realtor & Spice Line Owner

After appearing on “The Next Food Network Star,” Jeffrey Saad bagged the chance to present a web series titled “Spice Smuggler.” It aired for a year, and the Cooking Channel just had to invite him to host the “United Tastes Of America” after that.

Apart from being the executive chef of San Francisco's The Grove restaurants, Saad has also authored cookbooks and launched his own spice line. These days, he’s primarily kept busy with real estate, and whenever he’s not cooking or working as a realtor, he’s either surfing or traveling. He also spends a lot of time with his spouse and two kids.

Alexandra Guarnaschelli – Then – The Cooking Loft With Alex Guarnaschelli

Alexandra Guarnaschelli is a spirited chef, so even if she didn’t beat Cat Cora in the Farmers’ Market Battle on “Iron Chef America” in 2007, she still paved her way around reality television.

After “Iron Chef America,” she presented “The Cooking Loft With Alex Guarnaschelli,” where she taught a few students about recreating and spicing up classic recipes. In 2011, she participated in “The Next Iron Chef” and won as third runner-up. Since then, Guarnaschelli has worked as a judge on the “Food Network Challenge” and has made regular appearances on “Best Thing I Ever Ate.”

Alexandra Guarnaschelli – Now –  Executive Chef At NYC’s Butter Restaurant

Although Alexandra Guarnaschelli’s journey has been a long one, it’s been pretty rewarding, considering that she’s grown a $2 million net worth. In 2013, she came out with “Old-School Comfort Food: The Way I Learned To Cook,” her first cookbook. In it, she blended autobiographical information with her fave recipes.

From 2009 to 2011, Guarnaschelli starred in her own series, “Alex’s Day Off.” She has also become the executive chef at New York City’s Butter restaurant and owner of Darby, a supper club also found in NYC. Guarnaschelli was also an instructor for aspiring professional chefs at the NYC Institute of Culinary Education for a few years.

Michael Symon – Then – Dinner: Impossible

Michael Symon triumphed over his first “Iron Chef” battle in 2007, and he has since become a bona fide Food Network sensation. The Greek/Sicilian chef’s cooking is filled with soul because he focuses on genuinely satisfying dishes with bold flavors.

Before he even got into reality television, Symon was already the proprietor of numerous restaurants in different cities within the United States. In 2008, he bagged a brief ten-episode gig as the host of “Dinner: Impossible.” The following year, he plugged “Cook Or Be Cooked,” a Food Network video game. At one point, he was also a rotating host for the hit series “Melting Pot.”

Michael Symon – Now – Host Of Symon’s Dinners Cooking Out

Following “Iron Chef,” Michael Symon has pursued his appetite for new food experiences. His culinary passion has turned into a fulfilling profession, although his flagship restaurant Lola Bistro closed down in 2020 after 24 years in operation. He still has two in Las Vegas, though.

Although the Cleveland-based celebrity chef is a big meat fan (he even authored a cookbook for fellow meat-lovers), he still eats two vegetarian meals per week, primarily due to his vegan wife. The culinary genius displays his super-developed food palette on “Symon’s Dinners Cooking Out,” which premiered on the Food Network in 2021.

Sunny Anderson – Then – Cooking For Real

The first time we had an on-screen glimpse of Sunny Anderson was when she appeared on the Food Network’s “Emeril Live” in 2005. But before she even made it on television, she was already a radio personality for various channels.

Other Food Network shows that she starred in were “Gotta Get It” and “Cooking for Real.” Anderson also broadened her culinary horizons from 2006 to 2007 by serving as an editor for Food & Lifestyle’s Hip Hop Weekly Magazine. In 2008, she became the “How’d That Get On My Plate?” host.

Sunny Anderson – Now – New York Times Best Seller & Inventor Of Infladium

Her hairstyle may have changed, but Sunny Anderson is still the same adorable food-maker we got enamored with during the mid-’00s. She has since made appearances on “The Early Show,” “Good Morning America,” and other prominent talk shows on television.

Anderson can also be proud of being a New York Times Best Seller for her cookbook “Sunny’s Kitchen: Easy Food for Real Life.” The woman is also behind the Infladium: The Inflatable Snack Stadium, a cooler that looks like a football stadium. Anderson is still with the Food Network and is co-hosting “The Kitchen.”

 

Bobby Flay – Then – Hot Off The Grill With Bobby Flay

At the age of 25, Bobby Flay was already known throughout the New York culinary scene as a well-respected chef. He became one of the partners at Miracle Grill by that time in his life as well.

After making his Food Network debut in 1994, Flay became a household name through his many programs in the decade that followed. Some of the shows he presented were “Hot Off the Grill with Bobby Flay,” “Food Nation,” and “Grillin & Chillin.” These shows aren’t on-air anymore, but dozens of others have since replaced them.

Bobby Flay – Now – A Four-Time Daytime Emmy-Winner

Two of Bobby Flay’s most triumphant Food Network TV shows have got to be “Beat Bobby Flay” and “Worst Cooks in America.” Nonetheless, he was also part of hit shows like “Boy Meets Grill” and “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” A testament to his success is the four Daytime Emmys that he’s received for his work on television.

Unfortunately, Flay’s time on the Food Network is ending. In October 2021, Variety published that after a prolific 27-year run with the Food Network, negotiations for his contract extension didn’t come to fruition.

 

Paula Deen – Then – Paula’s Home Cooking

The photo you see here of Paula Deen was taken long before she became one of the Food Network’s most famous promoters of Southern Hospitality. The Albany, Georgia native got her first big break on television in 2002 after “Paula’s Home Cooking” took off and aired for a decade. It even earned her a Daytime Emmy Award in 2007.

The time came when Deen drew criticism for her unhealthy recipes, though. They famously had heaps of butter, and unfortunately, she announced in 2012 that she had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes years prior. Deen then lost a lot of weight through a changed diet.

Paula Deen – Now – Mother Of Two TV Personalities

Paula Deen hasn’t lost her charm through the years and has become a guest judge on “MasterChef” from 2012 to 2013. She also joined “Dancing With the Stars” in 2015. In recent years, shows like “Paula Deen’s Sweet Home Savannah” and “Positively Paula” have kept her in the public eye.

In 2021, Deen became part of FOX’s “MasterChef: Legends.” It’s a relaunch of the famed reality competition show “MasterChef” and involves a celebrity cast of culinary experts. Her sons (Jamie and Bobby Deen) have also made a name for themselves as TV personalities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marc Summers – Then – Unwrapped

For most millennials, Marc Summers is one of the most unforgettable television personalities from their childhoods. He worked numerous TV production jobs before his on-screen career started in 1986 when Nickelodeon picked him to present the popular show “Double Dare.” The show became so successful that he also got hired to host “What Would You Do?” and “Couch Potatoes.”

In 2001, Summers got asked to present “Unwrapped,” a Food Network program revealing the true origins of sponsored foods. The series takes audiences on a wild tour of various factories and other food-related places worldwide.

Marc Summers – Now – President Of Marc Summers Production

After three decades of trademarking himself, Marc Summers succeeded in profoundly impacting the lives of the millennial generation that he earned a loyal fanbase that watched him from one show after another. After presenting Unwrapped, he also appeared as a judge on the competition series “Rewrapped.”

Summers splits his time between his houses in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, where a branch of his firm Marc Summers Productions is located. In 2021, he appeared in the “Daily Blast Live” TV show and participated as an interviewee in the “Cheesesteak City: A Documentary Film.”

Aarón Sanchez – Then – Melting Pot

Aarón Sanchez, who hails from El Paso, Texas, has always known that he was passionate about food. He was just a teen when he helped his mom cook Mexican cuisine as a young chef for her catering business. He has since been notable for appearing on TV shows like “Iron Chef America” and “The Next Iron Chef.”

The celebrity chef debuted on the Food Network in 2001 through the short-lived series “Melting Pot,” which lasted only until the following year. Sanchez then became the co-host of “Heat Seekers” and was a frequent guest judge on the network’s cooking competition show “Chopped” between 2009 and 2017.

Aaron Sanchez – Now – Founder Of Aarón Sánchez Scholarship Fund

In 2016, Aarón Sanchez established the Aarón Sánchez Scholarship Fund (ASSF), which empowers hopeful chefs from the Latin community. He also judged on the FOX show “MasterChef” with Gordon Ramsay and Joe Bastianich that same year, taking on the same job on “MasterChef Junior” two years later.

Sanchez, a part-owner of Mestizo, a Mexican restaurant in Kansas, now has a net worth of $4 million. He’s also the proprietor of the restaurant Johnny Sánchez in New Orleans. In 2019, he published a memoir titled “Where I Come From: Life Lessons From a Latino Chef.”

Buddy Valastro – Then – Cake Boss

Buddy Valastro, born with Italian roots, began working at Carlo’s Bakery, his family’s business, at 11 years old. It was where he uncovered his passion for all things dough-related. In the years that followed, Valastro helped his father run the family bakery, and after his dad died, he became the bakery’s chairperson.

Eventually, Valastro became renowned for his sensational wedding cakes, and by 2007, he got summoned to take part in the “Food Network Challenge.” He then went on to pursue his own series, “Cake Boss,” which ultimately led him to fame and fortune.

Buddy Valastro – Now – Owner Of Buddy V’s Events

With the show’s popularity, Buddy Valastro got to establish Carlo’s Bakery in multiple locations, with most of them found in New Jersey. In 2010, he decided to embark on the live interactive series “Bakin’ With the Boss Tour,” creating exquisite cakes and sharing tales about his Italian family.

In 2014, Valastro put up an event planning and catering business called Buddy V’s Events, which caters to galas, family functions, and weddings. “Buddy vs. Duff,” the Food Network show that pits him against pastry chef Duff Goldman ran its third season in 2021 and can also be streamed on Discovery Plus.

Emeril Lagasse – Then – Essence Of Emeril

Emeril Lagasse has had people yelling “Bam!” and “Kick it up a notch!” after becoming a household name through his shows on the Food Network. The Massachusetts man graced his first-ever show on the channel, “How to Boil Water,” during its inaugural year in 1993.

The following year, he had already landed “Essence of Emeril.” The show that alluded to the “Essence,” a spice mix that he concocted himself and made available for sale, became a big hit and left Lagasse a busy man. The Food Network gave him another project after that titled “Emeril Live.”

Emeril Lagasse – Now – Operates 11 Successful Restaurants

From years of hard work, Emeril Lagasse has become a fellow that’s worth $70 million. After all, among his many ventures, he has also developed a profitable merchandising business that sells all sorts of products, from salsas and pasta sauces to pantry knives and electrical tools.

After doing Amazon’s “Eat the World with Emeril Lagasse,” he also became a first-time Daytime Emmy-winner in 2017. As a guest judge in 2021, Lagasse appeared on the FOX culinary competition show “MasterChef: Legends.” On top of all that, he operates 11 successful restaurants in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

Ina Garten – Then – Barefoot Contessa

A piece of literature often becomes the inspiration for other forms of media such as movies and television, and that’s precisely how it went for Ina Garten. She got her big break on The Food Network in 2002 with the show “Barefoot Contessa” after releasing her cookbook with the same title in 1999.

More on her background, Garten had mentors like Eli Zabar (owner of Eli’s Manhattan and Eli’s Breads) and food connoisseur Martha Stewart. As of 2008, her cookbooks have already sold a combined number of over six million copies.

Ina Garten – Now – Author Of 12 Cookbooks

It’s incredible how the TV show “Barefoot Contessa” is still going strong 19 years since it first aired on the Food Network. It’s become one of the channel’s longest-running shows, and Ina Garten is readily giving us so much more with the “Barefoot Contessa: Modern Comfort Food” series.

Garten has authored 12 cookbooks so far, with her latest being the inspiration for her new show. It’s titled “Modern Comfort Food” and was released in October 2020. As for Garten’s personal life, she’s been married to the same man since 1968, and that’s Jeffrey Garten.

Jamie Oliver – Then – The Naked Chef

Jamie Oliver is a world-famous chef that cultivated his culinary career at a young age, starting at 16 when he enrolled in Westminster Catering College. He then took over the world with the BBC show “The Naked Chef” in his early 20s.

By the time the show ended in 2001, Oliver had already become a household name. In the years that followed, he also grew popular with North American audiences, going on to host nearly 40 TV shows and specials like “Jamie’s School Dinners,” “Jamie’s Chef,” “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution,” and “Jamie at Home.”

Jamie Oliver – Now – Author Of Together By Jamie Oliver

In May 2019, The Guardian published that all but three of Jamie Oliver’s 25 United Kingdom restaurants closed down. Two years before this unfortunate news that marked a vital blow to the famous chef, his food magazine also shut down after publishing for a decade.

Nonetheless, the father of five didn’t let all this bring him down. In 2020, he premiered “Jamie: Keep Cooking and Carry On,” a quarantine cooking show, wherein he cooked at-home meals with limited ingredients. His eight-part series “Jamie: Keep Cooking Family Favourites” came out that year, with season two airing in 2021.

Aarti Sequeira – Then – The Next Food Network Star

Aarti Sequeira is an Indian chef that arose as the 6th season champion of “The Next Food Network Star.” The woman known for her unexpected flavors was born in Bombay but raised in Dubai. She began her enduring commitment to food at a young age yet only pursued it professionally later on in her life.

After graduating high school, Sequeira relocated to Chicago, where she earned her journalism degree. She immersed herself in media and entertainment as a CNN producer but ultimately sensed something was amiss. Upon returning to the kitchen, the mother of two knew why.

Aarti Sequeira – Now – Still Active On The Food Network

Following her heart seemed to work out pretty well for Aarti, as she is now a very aspired culinary artist. Since her victory on The Next Food Network Star, the Indian chef created her own own blog and online cooking-variety show which is still viewed by many. On the show, Aarti impresses her viewers, creating delicious spins on all-American classics by using new and unexpected flavors. She has authored cookbooks and is now a mother to two daughters and a frequent judge on Guy’s Grocery Games.

Cat Cora – Then –  Iron Chef America

Cat Cora became inspired by the culinary world early on, and by the time she was 15, she already had a business plan for a restaurant in mind. After auditioning for “Iron Chef America” in 2005, she won the entire competition and was hailed as the first-ever female Iron Chef.

Cora grew up in a small Greek village, and her family lived and breathed all things food. However, she first earned a bachelor of science degree in exercise physiology and biology before taking the culinary path by enrolling in The Cookery Institute of America.

Cat Cora – Now – First Female American Academy Of Chefs Culinary Hall Of Famer

Cat Cora has explored so much since winning “Iron Chef America,” gracing and hosting numerous cooking programs like “Modify Your Life,” “Melting Pot,” and “My Country My Kitchen.” Through the years, she has put up more than 18 restaurants all over the United States and across the globe.

Cora, a published author of several cookbooks, has even been the executive chef for Bon Appetit Magazine at one point. She’s part of Macy’s Culinary Counsels and holds the title of being the first woman inducted into the American Academy of Chefs Culinary Hall of Fame.

Tom Pizzica – Then – Outrageous Foods

Tom Pizzica’s affection for food began when his mom worked long hours in his childhood, and he had to make dinner for his siblings. Having a “Big Chef” personality coupled with over a decade of experience in the culinary world, he undoubtedly gave the word outrageous a new meaning.

Pizzica formally launched his showbiz career by competing in the sixth season of “The Next Food Network Star.” When the show ended, it didn’t take long for his dreams to come true with his own series, “Outrageous Food.” In it, Pizzica traveled the United States to explore astonishing, jaw-dropping cuisine.

Tom Pizzica – Now – Owner Of Big Chef Tom’s Belly Burgers & Philly Hots

Although his show “Outrageous Food” lasted for merely two seasons, Tom Pizzica still went to do bigger and better things. One of them is establishing Big Chef Tom’s Belly Burgers, a burger joint offering 100% pork belly patties.

Pizzica’s burger business began as a pop-up (temporary) restaurant. However, it didn’t take long for it to transform into a brick-and-mortar spot in the splendid city of San Francisco. He is also the owner of Philly Hots, a meal prep delivery and full-service catering that serves the greater Philadelphia area, where his hometown of West Chester is located.

Adam Gertler – Then – Will Work For Food

Even if Adam Gertler didn’t win the fourth season of “The Next Food Network Star,” he did end up as a finalist and scored his own show soon after. In 2009, he got to host “Will Work for Food,” which let viewers watch funny episodes featuring behind-the-scenes screenings of random food gigs that he catches.

Gertler learned cool and crazy stuff in the program, from competitive eating and ice sculpting to honey harvesting and truffle foraging. Between 2010 and 2011, he also presented “Kid In A Candy Store,” another behind-the-scenes series. In it, the comical celebrity chef sought out unique sweets and desserts all over the United States.

Adam Gertler – Now – A Certified “Wurstmacher”

Through the years, Adam Gertler has directed his enthusiasm for food and acting into volunteer work. He has taught theater arts to elementary school students and catered for non-profit institutions such as the Philadelphia Red Cross.

Gertler has also trained himself into becoming a “Wurstmacher” (sausage maker) for the award-winning Dog Haus restaurant concept. Despite everything he’s been doing, he still found time to host shows like “Fx Movie Download” and “Man Vs. Child.” Gertler loves to play the harmonica, sing karaoke, and read comic books whenever he’s not busy in the kitchen or on stage.

Duff Goldman – Then – Ace Of Cakes

Duff Goldman is unlike any other chef because he began cooking before he even learned how to write. At 16, he bagged his first job at a bagel shop, where he nearly got fired for making sandwiches that were too big!

His hunger for adding a wacky spin on food led him to open his bizarre bakery, Charm City Cakes. It hit off so well that it became a household name on “Ace of Cakes,” his Food Network show. His second bakery, Charm City Cakes West, also got featured on the series “Duff Till Dawn.”

Duff Goldman – Now – Owner Of Duff's Cake Mix

Duff Goldman flourished so much that he even became a judge on some Food Network shows like “Holiday Baking Championship.” And apart from his screen-shtick, the pastry chef has also released cookbooks such as “Duff Bakes.” His freshest cookbook offering comes in 2020’s “Super Good Baking for Kids.”

That same year, Duff opened a do-it-yourself cake decorating shop called Duff’s Cake Mix. His career isn’t the only part of his life that’s thriving, though, because his personal life is, too, having just married Johnna Colbry in 2019. The pair welcomed their first child, daughter Josephine, in 2021.

Damaris Phillips – Then – Southern At Heart

Damaris Phillips is recognized as the queen of Southern cooking. With her knowledge of the cuisine, she emerged victorious on the ninth season of “The Next Food Network Star. Part of her 2013 winnings was getting a cooking series of her own, and her show called “Southern At Heart” aired between 2013 and 2016.

Initially, Phillips’ career took off after she received her degree in culinary arts. As per the Kentucky-born Belle, she decided to pursue the field because she had no idea what to do with her life. It ended being a good decision, after all!

Damaris Phillips – Now – Author Of Southern Girl Meets Vegetarian Boy

Damaris Phillips is still part of the culinary world and has been on shows like “Beat Bobby Flay” and “Guy’s Grocery Games” in 2021. Going back to 2017, she was a co-host on the Cooking Channel series “Southern and Hungry” and co-hosted the Food Network’s “The Bobby and Damaris Show.”

Phillips is pretty active on social media and has amassed around 289K followers on Instagram alone. Her husband, radio host Darren Wood, is a vegetarian, so she had to adjust her cooking at home. She even released a cookbook titled “Southern Girl Meets Vegetarian Boy,” documenting 100 recipes that are ideal for those on a meatless lifestyle.

Tyler Florence – Then – Food 911

Tyler Florence was just 15 when he embarked on his culinary journey by waiting on tables in a South Carolina restaurant. Inspired by all things food, he enrolled at the College of Culinary Arts. He then pursued a career in the food industry, packing his bags for New York and working at various establishments.

It didn’t take long for Florence to put up his own eating place called Cafeteria. It became such a massive success that he earned recognition, especially from the Food Network, who tapped him to present the series “Food 911.”

Tyler Florence – Now – Host OF The Great Food Truck Race

Tyler Florence has a pretty impressive resume, being a best-selling author of nine books. He has also written four children’s books, including “Tyler Makes Pancakes.” As a presenter, he has worked on Food Network shows such as “How To Boil Water” and “Tyler’s Ultimate.”

Florence also co-founded an organic baby food line and established several restaurants and kitchen equipment shops in California. He resides in the state’s Mill Valley city with his wife Tolan Clark and three kids. Florence has been hosting “The Great Food Truck Race” since 2010 and has done the same job for the program’s 14th season in 2021.

Aaron McCargo Jr. – Then – Big Daddy’s House

Aaron McCargo Jr. worked as the Executive Chef of Catering at Philadelphia’s Thomas Jefferson University Hospital before becoming known as the fourth season winner of “The Next Food Network Star.” After this triumph, he got his own program titled “Big Daddy’s House” that premiered in 2008.

When the series concluded in 2011, fans were saddened, but the celebrity chef pushed forward in his culinary journey. McCargo Jr. went on to appear in shows for other networks like Spike TV‘s “Bar Rescue.” His food preference is inclined towards bold and spicy flavored savory meats.

Aaron McCargo Jr. – Now – Owner Of A Signature Line Of Spice Blends & Sauces

Aaron McCargo Jr. has appeared on successful Food Network programs like “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” and “Guy’s Grocery Games.” However, his latest on-screen appearance was in 2019, on the TV show “Steve.” He has also given regular motivational speeches for the youth of various community schools and events.

In 2021, Mashed had an exclusive interview with McCargo Jr. He disclosed that he’s all set to outcook Bobby Flay, his celebrity chef that helped launch his Food Network career. McCargo Jr. is also busy with his signature line of spice blends and sauces available on his website.

Giada De Laurentiis – Then – Everyday Italian

Giada De Laurentiis was born in Los Angeles to an Italian family. She followed in her family’s footsteps by becoming a Paris cooking school graduate and returning home to work for two LA restaurants.

With the expertise she gained, De Laurentiis decided to open a catering company, landing prominent clients and developing vital culinary connections along the way. A pal from Food & Wine Magazine urged her to put her family’s Sunday meal traditions into writing. The article gained so much traction that she got invited by the Food Network to present her own series, “Everyday Italian.”

Giada De Laurentiis – Now – Author Of 10 Cookbooks

Giada De Laurentiis proved herself to be a charming host because she went on to present “Giada At Home” from 2008 to 2020. The Italian-born chef has also made regular appearances on NBC’s “Today” and popular talk shows like “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” According to AZCentral, she has thriving restaurants in Las Vegas and Baltimore.

When she’s not working, the author of ten cookbooks spends quality time with her daughter, Jade, in their Los Angeles residence. Between a net worth of $15 million and a loving partner in Shane Farley, De Laurentiis is pretty content with her life.