Food Network's Kardea Brown Reveals Her Take on 'Proffee,' Kombucha, and Other Divisive Cooking Trends (Exclusive)
Food Network star Kardea Brown shares her opinions on the hottest food trends of 2023, including the buzz around protein coffee and the rising popularity of kombucha bars Discover her take on these controversial culinary trends in this exclusive interview
This year saw a plethora of polarizing and innovative food fads, from charcuterie boards to "proffee," but Food Network's Kardea Brown remains unconvinced by many of them.
"You never know if it's just a stunt or the real deal," said Brown, 36, in an exclusive interview with We before the Elf on the Shelf: Street Showdown season finale. "But the 'dump-and-bake' trend, where you pour orzo pasta into a dish and just dump in cheese and other ingredients before baking it all... Let's leave that in the past as we head into the new year."
Prior to gaining fame on the Food Network with Delicious Miss Brown, which is now in its 10th season, Brown worked as a social worker and teacher. She is incredibly thankful for the opportunity to share her love for food with a larger audience.
"Food has always been a form of release for me," Brown explained. "It was therapeutic, but I never imagined that it would become my career. I cook and eat for a living."
Although she may be ready to move on from baking and dumping, Brown is hoping that other food trends will carry on into the new year. One trend she's particularly excited about is the increasing extravagance of charcuterie boards, which typically feature an assortment of meats, cheeses, and other appetizers arranged on a wooden or stone slab.
Kardea Brown. Marcus Ingram/Getty Images
She informed Us that "It's an excellent way to connect with your guests. It really helps to kick off conversations when everyone is choosing from a variety of different cheeses and meats." Brown, although not a coffee drinker, believes that the trend of adding protein powder to coffee, also known as "proffee," is here to stay. She stated, "For those who work out in the morning and enjoy coffee, it's a great way to get your protein at the start of the day. It's a good alternative to creamer."
Kombucha, a fermented mushroom tea, has been a long-standing beverage, but recently, kombucha bars have surged in popularity. "I am all for kombucha, I love it, because it’s a great way to improve your gut health," Brown stated. "But to go to a bar… I’m not sure about that. Just leave bars for the alcohol."
As for spirits, Brown enjoys an espresso martini, but she has an issue with its name. "From my understanding, martinis are supposed to have gin or vermouth in it. It has neither," she clarified. "I think it’s delicious if you’re a coffee drinker, and if you love espresso, it’s wonderful. But is it really a martini? I don’t know."
As 2023 draws to an end, Brown anticipates that solo dining will be the dominant trend in 2024. She mentioned to Us that "eating alone is not strange at all" and foresees a solo dining "revolution" in the upcoming year, expressing her strong support for it.
Brown is wrapping up her stint as a judge on The Elf on the Shelf: Sweet Showdown, a competition where six teams of dessert experts vie for a $25,000 prize by crafting enchanting edible creations. She co-stars with cake artist and pastry chef Ashley Holt on this festive series.
“We’re not just requesting our bakers to produce tasty and stunning creations, but they had to tap into their magic bag,” Brown hinted about the holiday competition. “That was the really enjoyable part of the show.”
Deal of the Day
Shop Serious Skincare's Powerhouse Age Disruptor Serum on Sale Today
View Deal
The season 1 finale of The Elf on the Shelf: Sweet Showdown airs on Food Network on December 17 at 8 p.m. ET.
With reporting by Christina Garibaldi
