The Kitchen Is Closing Its Doors: Food Network Says Goodbye After 12 Years

Get ready to say a bittersweet farewell! Food Network's beloved weekend cooking show, "The Kitchen," is officially wrapping up its incredible run. After over a decade of dishing out delicious recipes, clever cooking tips, and plenty of laughs, the final episode is just around the corner.

TL;DR: The Essentials You Need to Know

• "The Kitchen" will air its final episode on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. ET/PT on Food Network.
• The show enjoyed a remarkable run of nearly 12 years, spanning 40 seasons and over 500 episodes, sharing more than 2,000 recipes with home cooks.
• Don't fret, you can still catch all your favorite past episodes streaming on HBO Max and Discovery+.

Food Network fans, grab a tissue — or maybe a celebratory snack to ease the news. After dishing out delicious recipes, clever cooking tips, and plenty of laughs for nearly a dozen years, "The Kitchen" is officially closing its doors. The network announced on Monday, October 20, 2025, that the long-running weekend talk show will air its final episode this December. It's a bittersweet moment for viewers and hosts alike, marking the end of an era for one of Food Network's most iconic daytime staples. Let's dive into all the details, from the final air date to what your favorite hosts are saying.

Saying Goodbye to Your Favorite Culinary Crew Who Made Saturdays Special

Since its delicious premiere in January 2014, "The Kitchen" has been a consistent source of culinary inspiration, comfort, and entertainment for millions. Over an impressive 40 seasons and more than 500 episodes, the show invited us into a lively, bustling kitchen hosted by an absolutely fantastic ensemble. We've come to know and love Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee Biegel, Jeff Mauro, and Geoffrey Zakarian, whose individual personalities and shared camaraderie made every Saturday morning feel like a party. Alex Guarnaschelli also became a much-loved recurring guest host, always adding her sharp wit and invaluable expertise to the mix.

It's worth remembering that Marcela Valladolid was also part of the original hosting team, helping to shape the show's early success before her departure in 2017. Together, this dynamic group transformed cooking from a chore into a joyful activity. The Emmy-nominated series wasn't just about showing us how to cook; it was about gathering, celebrating food, and building a community. The hosts shared an incredible tally of over 2,000 recipes throughout their run, making everything from gourmet meals to simple weeknight dinners feel perfectly approachable for home cooks everywhere. From engaging recipe demonstrations to lively food trend discussions and practical tips for family meals, "The Kitchen" became a cherished Saturday morning ritual for many, a place where conversation, laughter, and, of course, great food always flowed freely.

From Hollywood Stars to Culinary Legends: The Memorable Guests Who Graced The Kitchen

Beyond the fantastic core hosts, "The Kitchen" always kept things fresh and exciting with a star-studded guest list. Over its impressive run, the show welcomed a stellar lineup of personalities, expertly blending Hollywood star power with culinary genius. Can you imagine watching Daniel Radcliffe playing Twister on set, or hearing Vanilla Ice spit bars in the kitchen? Yes, those unforgettable moments actually happened!

The show wasn't shy about bringing in big names from beyond the traditional food world, creating truly memorable and often hilarious television. But it also hosted some of the biggest names in the culinary universe. Here's just a taste of the diverse personalities who joined the hosts around the kitchen island:

• Fellow Food Network Stars & Acclaimed Chefs: Bobby Flay, Rachael Ray, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Carla Hall, Ree Drummond.
• Hollywood & Music Icons: Martha Stewart, Daniel Radcliffe, Tony Shalhoub, Susan Lucci, Martina McBride, Rev Run, Vanilla Ice, Trisha Yearwood, Regina King, Willie Geist.

The interactions with these guests were always genuine and delightful, perfectly reflecting the warm, inviting, and slightly chaotic atmosphere that the hosts so skillfully cultivated. It truly felt like you were pulling up a chair in their bustling kitchen, ready to learn something new and have a good laugh.

Heartfelt Goodbyes from the Kitchen Family and Beyond: Emotions Run High

The news of "The Kitchen's" cancellation understandably hit the hosts and the wider Food Network community hard. Many took to social media to share their profound gratitude, emotional goodbyes, and thoughtful reflections on the show's significant impact. It's clear that this show was more than just a job for the people involved.

"It's the end of an era. 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."

— Katie Lee Biegel, Co-Host

Jeff Mauro, another beloved original host, penned a particularly lengthy and emotional message on his Facebook and Instagram, calling the show "special — rare, a unicorn, an anomaly." He expressed how incredibly lucky he felt 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." Mauro even shared touching anecdotes about the show's resilience, managing to air episodes even during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the dedicated team behind the scenes. While acknowledging the profound sadness of the show ending, Mauro also shared his trademark optimism for future opportunities, extending heartfelt thanks to the Food Network, the tireless crew members, and, most importantly, the millions of loyal viewers who made the show a success.

The tributes weren't limited to the immediate cast. Even fellow Food Network legends weighed in with their support and admiration. Bobby Flay congratulated the team on "an iconic run," praising them for "holding it down in daytime on Food Network for the last decade." "Chopped" judge Marc Murphy called it "an incredible show," adding, "You're all legends." Aarti Sequeira, winner of Season 6 of "The Next Food Network Star," beautifully summed up the show's essence, stating, "I loved this show because it reminded me of why I fell in love with cooking in the first place, lots of voices and hands working together in a kitchen with equal servings of love and sass!!!!" "Chopped" judge Tiffani Faison also chimed in, saluting the staff for "a run worthy only of this team." It's abundantly clear that "The Kitchen" wasn't just another cooking show; it was a cherished part of the Food Network family and a source of genuine connection for its audience.

The Final Plate: When and Where to Get Your Last Delicious Serving

The clock is ticking, so mark your calendars, foodies, because "The Kitchen" will air its very last episode on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. ET/PT on Food Network. The network has promised to make this a special occasion, planning to celebrate the team's hard work during one final, festive holiday season. It will be one last opportunity to enjoy their unique blend of culinary expertise and warm banter, offering a truly delicious way to spend an hour one final time.

But while the live broadcasts are coming to an end, the good news is that you won't have to say goodbye to all those incredible recipes and memorable moments forever. Past episodes of "The Kitchen" will continue to be readily available for streaming, ensuring that the legacy of the show lives on. This means you can revisit your favorite segments, re-learn a challenging cooking technique, or simply enjoy the comforting camaraderie of the hosts whenever you need a dose of culinary inspiration or a pick-me-up.

Where to Stream Past Episodes of The Kitchen:

• HBO Max
• Discovery+

So, even after the final episode airs, "The Kitchen" will remain a valuable resource for home cooks and a source of entertainment for its loyal fanbase.

Behind the Scenes: Unpacking Why The Kitchen Is Saying a Bittersweet Farewell

While Food Network's official statement from Betsy Ayala, Warner Bros. Discovery's head of food content, focused on celebrating "The Kitchen's" remarkable legacy and its "final holiday season," industry reports offer a glimpse into the broader reasons behind the cancellation. Sources indicate that Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of Food Network, is currently in the process of re-evaluating its extensive programming and resources as it looks ahead to 2026. This comes as the company moves forward with strategic plans to separate its traditional linear channels (like Food Network) from its rapidly expanding streaming services.

This major corporate restructuring and strategic shift likely impact various shows across their extensive portfolio, not just "The Kitchen." In fact, this news follows the quiet cancellation of several Halloween-themed cooking shows earlier this year, including "Halloween Cookie Challenge," "Last Bite Hotel," and "Outrageous Pumpkins." Many dedicated fans have voiced their disappointment online, with a popular theory suggesting that the network is increasingly prioritizing more competition-based shows over the traditional instructional, talk-show, or educational cooking formats that "The Kitchen" exemplified. While there hasn't been an official confirmation on this specific programming strategy as the direct cause, the trend is certainly noticeable to long-time viewers who appreciate the show's unique style.

Regardless of the underlying business reasons, "The Kitchen" leaves behind a truly remarkable legacy. It served up joy, knowledge, and a tangible sense of community to millions of viewers for well over a decade. It will certainly be missed from our Saturday morning lineups, but the countless memories, the enduring spirit of friendship among its hosts, and those more than 2,000 invaluable recipes will undoubtedly live on in the hearts and kitchens of its devoted audience!

Frequently Asked Questions About The Kitchen's Cancellation

Q: When is the final episode of "The Kitchen" airing? A: The very last episode of "The Kitchen" will air on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. ET/PT on Food Network.

Q: Where can I watch old episodes of "The Kitchen" after it ends? A: Good news! You can continue to stream past episodes of "The Kitchen" on both HBO Max and Discovery+ platforms.

Q: Why was "The Kitchen" canceled by Food Network? A: Food Network, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, is reportedly re-evaluating its programming and resources as it undergoes a corporate restructuring, separating its linear channels from streaming services. While no single specific reason was officially announced, many fans speculate it's due to a network shift towards more competition-based cooking shows.

Q: How long was "The Kitchen" on the air and how many seasons did it have? A: "The Kitchen" premiered in January 2014 and ran for nearly 12 years. It successfully completed 40 seasons and produced over 500 episodes during its impressive run.

Q: Who were the main hosts of "The Kitchen"? A: The primary hosts for most of its run were Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee Biegel, Jeff Mauro, and Geoffrey Zakarian, with Alex Guarnaschelli as a frequent recurring guest host. Marcela Valladolid was also part of the original hosting team.

Q: What kind of content did "The Kitchen" feature? A: "The Kitchen" was a weekend talk show that featured recipe demonstrations, practical cooking tips, discussions on food trends, ideas for family meals, and celebrity guest appearances from both culinary and entertainment worlds.

Sources

• Food Network official announcements (via Instagram)
• Statements from Warner Bros. Discovery head of food content, Betsy Ayala
• Social media posts from hosts Katie Lee Biegel and Jeff Mauro
• Reports from various news outlets including Variety, LA Times, NewsNation, Today, and others.