After nearly 12 years of delicious recipes, lively discussions, and friendly banter, Food Network's beloved weekend talk show 'The Kitchen' is officially ending its run this December. Get ready for one final holiday season with your favorite culinary crew!

TL;DR:

  • Food Network's "The Kitchen" is officially concluding after a fantastic run of nearly 12 years and 40 seasons.
  • The series finale is scheduled to air on Saturday, December 13th, at 11 a.m. ET/PT.
  • Fans can still catch up on all the past culinary fun on streaming platforms like HBO Max and Discovery Plus.
Saying Goodbye to a Beloved Culinary Staple on Food Network

Well, fellow foodies, grab a tissue along with your spatulas. Food Network has announced that its long-running weekend talk show, "The Kitchen," will be wrapping up after an incredible journey spanning almost 12 years and 40 seasons. Since its debut in January 2014, the show has been a comforting, informative, and downright fun staple for home cooks and food enthusiasts alike.

The stellar lineup of hosts – Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee Biegel, Jeff Mauro, Geoffrey Zakarian, and recurring guest Alex Guarnaschelli – have invited us into their "kitchen" every week, sharing more than 2,000 recipes, countless cooking tips, and endless laughs. It's been a truly iconic run, and while we're sad to see it go, we're also grateful for all the delicious memories.

Unpacking the Reasons Behind 'The Kitchen's' Farewell Season

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So, why is this beloved show ending now? According to sources close to the production, Food Network's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, is re-evaluating its resources and programming priorities for the new year. This shift includes plans to separate the linear (traditional broadcast) channels from its streaming services and studio operations. Essentially, they're streamlining things, and unfortunately, "The Kitchen" found itself on the chopping block.

Betsy Ayala, Head of Content for Food at Warner Bros. Discovery, shared a heartfelt statement regarding the show's conclusion, emphasizing the positive impact the hosts have had:

"For over a decade Sunny, Katie, Jeff, Geoffrey and more recently Alex have engaged audiences with their individual and distinct food sensibilities and sense of humor that together make ‘The Kitchen’ a delicious way to spend an hour. Everyone knows all good parties end up in ‘The Kitchen,’ where the conversation, laughs and food flow; the best parties probably end a little bit earlier then some guests would like, but we’ve got twelve years of memories and wanted to celebrate this team’s hard work during one final holiday season."

— Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food, Warner Bros. Discovery

It sounds like a bittersweet decision, aimed at giving the show a proper send-off during the festive holiday season, a time when food and family are at the forefront.

A Decade of Deliciousness: Revisiting 'The Kitchen's' Enduring Legacy

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"The Kitchen" wasn't just another cooking show; it was a vibrant, Emmy-nominated talk show that brought culinary experts together to explore everything from trending ingredients to timeless family meal traditions. It offered a unique blend of practical advice, step-by-step recipes, and genuine camaraderie that resonated deeply with viewers. Remember when original co-host Marcela Valladolid was part of the crew before her departure in 2017? The show always felt like hanging out with friends who just happened to be amazing chefs.

Beyond the fantastic hosts, "The Kitchen" also welcomed a dazzling array of celebrity guests over the years, making each episode a star-studded event. From Hollywood actors to music legends and fellow culinary giants, the show’s guest list was as diverse and exciting as its recipes. Some memorable faces who stopped by included:

  • Actors: Daniel Radcliffe, Regina King, Tony Shalhoub, Susan Lucci, Debi Mazar, Haylie Duff, Melissa Gilbert, Angela Kinsey, Bridget Moynahan, Raven-Symone, Tiffani Thiessen
  • Musicians: Martina McBride, Rev Run, Vanilla Ice, Trisha Yearwood, Joey Fatone
  • Media Personalities: Willie Geist, Sunny Hostin, Kathie Lee Gifford, Daphne Oz, Isaac Mizrahi
  • Celebrity Chefs: Martha Stewart, Lidia Bastianich, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, Ree Drummond, Carla Hall

The show truly created a space where food, fun, and famous faces blended seamlessly, proving that good food and good company are the perfect recipe for great television.

Heartfelt Farewells: What the Hosts and Fellow Chefs Are Expressing

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As you can imagine, the news has hit both fans and the show's cast hard. Social media has been buzzing with emotional reactions from the hosts themselves, as well as their Food Network colleagues.

Co-host Katie Lee Biegel expressed her sentiments on Instagram Stories, calling it "the end of an era" and adding, "Thank you so much to all of our fans. The Kitchen was the greatest professional honor of my life and I will be forever grateful."

Jeff Mauro, another original co-host, penned a lengthy and moving post on Instagram, reflecting on the unique experience. He shared anecdotes that truly capture the spirit of the show:

"I got to spend a dozen years with my best friends — cooking, laughing, and eating life-changing bites from some of the world’s greatest chefs and cooks. I got to play Twister with Daniel Radcliffe, sing and strum with Trisha Yearwood, and spit bars with Vanilla Ice and Rev Run."

"I didn’t expect to feel this sad, but my optimism for what lies ahead outweighs the sadness. More than anything, I’m deeply grateful and humbled for this immense opportunity that I will never forget. Now – I’ve written enough chapters, on to the next book in this thrilling yet comedic & warm multi-volume series."

— Jeff Mauro, Co-host of "The Kitchen"

It's clear that the bonds forged on set were genuine, and the show was a significant part of their lives. Fellow Food Network star Bobby Flay also chimed in, commenting on the network's Instagram announcement: "Thank you to The Kitchen and its fabulous chefs and hosts for holding it down in daytime on Food Network for the last decade. Well done everyone.. an iconic run." Even Chef Marc Murphy, a frequent guest across many cooking shows, shared his admiration, tagging the hosts and stating, "Guys, congrats on an incredible show — one of my favorites to watch and to be part of. You’re all legends."

Your Last Chance to Tune In and Where to Relive the Culinary Magic

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So, when can you catch that final, possibly tear-jerking, episode? Mark your calendars! The last episode of "The Kitchen" is scheduled to air on Saturday, December 13th, at 11 a.m. ET/PT on Food Network. Make sure you tune in to celebrate one last holiday season with the team.

While new episodes may be ending, the legacy of "The Kitchen" will certainly live on. You can still stream countless past episodes and relive all your favorite culinary moments. The entire library of "The Kitchen" episodes is available on HBO Max and Discovery Plus. And don't worry, you'll still be able to catch Alex Guarnaschelli on her other popular Food Network show, "Alex vs America."

It’s always tough to say goodbye to a show that has brought so much joy and inspiration to our homes. "The Kitchen" taught us to cook, to experiment, and to find fun in every meal. It truly was a delicious way to spend an hour, and its impact on home cooks across the country will surely be felt for years to come. Thanks for the memories, "The Kitchen" team!

Frequently Asked Questions About The Kitchen's End

Food Network's 'The Kitchen' Is Ending After an Epic Run image 7 When is the final episode of "The Kitchen" airing? The series finale of "The Kitchen" is scheduled for Saturday, December 13th, at 11 a.m. ET/PT on Food Network. Where can I watch old episodes of "The Kitchen"? You can stream past episodes of "The Kitchen" on both HBO Max and Discovery Plus. Who were the hosts of "The Kitchen"? The main hosts were Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee Biegel, Jeff Mauro, and Geoffrey Zakarian, with Alex Guarnaschelli as a recurring guest host. Marcela Valladolid was also an original co-host. Why was "The Kitchen" canceled? Food Network's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, is reportedly re-evaluating its programming priorities and resources, including plans to separate linear TV channels from streaming services.

Sources:

  • Variety
  • Deadline
  • TODAY
  • Mashed
  • CinemaBlend
  • Warner Bros. Discovery Press Release
  • Realscreen