Valerie Bertinelli Criticizes Food Network for Shift Away from Culinary Education

Valerie Bertinelli Says Food Network Doesn t Focus on Learning Anymore

Valerie Bertinelli. John Lamparski/Getty Images for NYCWFF

Valerie Bertinelli expressed her disappointment with several Food Network shows, just three months after being let go from Kids Baking Championship. She shared her love for the network's cooking shows, such as 30-minute meals, Ina Garten, and Giada De Laurentiis, which she had enjoyed for over twenty years. Bertinelli mentioned how much she had learned from these shows, but lamented that the focus now seems to be less on cooking and education. She acknowledged that this shift is simply a part of the business.

Bertinelli agreed with cookbook author and food blogger Marlynn Schotland, who expressed on the platform her disappointment that Food Network has transitioned from cooking shows to focusing mainly on culinary competition programs.

Schotland further explained that although Food Network still airs "a few" cooking shows, she believes there is an excessive amount of repetitive competition shows that are unnecessary.

Bertinelli has a strong history with Food Network. She hosted Valerie’s Home Cooking from 2015 to 2025, where she updated her favorite family recipes. Additionally, she was a judge on Kids Baking Championship for 12 seasons but was let go in January due to budget cuts.

In an Instagram video, Bertinelli shared her feelings about the situation. She admitted that she had been avoiding the news but finally faced it. Despite understanding the business reasons behind the decision, she expressed that it still hurt her feelings to know she wouldn't be returning to Kids Baking Championship.

Valerie Bertinelli Says Food Network Doesn t Focus on Learning Anymore

Valerie Bertinelli. Dia Dipasupil/WireImage

She continued, "That was the toughest year for me, I was really struggling but putting on a brave face. It's just how we handle things sometimes! And I don't want to sound dramatic, but the show truly helped me get through it."

Bertinelli wrapped up filming her last episodes of Kids Baking Championship in the summer of 2022, which was also when she started the divorce process with her then-husband Tom Vitale. The divorce was officially finalized in November 2022.

Valerie Bertinelli shared in a social media video earlier this year how working with wonderful people made her feel productive and allowed her to spread kindness instead of wallowing in her difficulties. The show she was a part of was like a flotation device for her, helping her stay afloat during tough times. It saddens her that she won't be able to go back and express her gratitude to everyone who supported her.

After her divorce, Bertinelli has found love once again. She happily revealed in a March interview with USA Today that she is dating a very special man.

Editor's P/S:

Valerie Bertinelli's disappointment with the current state of Food Network's programming resonates with many viewers. The shift away from educational cooking shows towards repetitive culinary competitions has diminished the network's value as a source of culinary inspiration and knowledge. While understanding the business reasons behind this change, Bertinelli and others lament the loss of shows that showcased the joy and artistry of cooking.

Bertinelli's personal connection to Food Network adds weight to her critique. As a former host and judge, she has witnessed firsthand the network's transformation. Her departure from Kids Baking Championship, due to budget cuts, underscores the financial pressures that have led to this shift in programming. Bertinelli's candid expression of her hurt and disappointment highlights the emotional toll that these changes have taken on the network's loyal viewers.