Why Giada De Laurentiis Walked Away from the Food Network

Giada De Laurentiis Left Food Network Due to Burn Out

Giada De Laurentiis. Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit

Giada De Laurentiis recently shared her reasons for leaving the Food Network on Rebecca Minkoff's "Superwomen" podcast. She confessed that it was a tough decision for her to make, as she was initially scared to step away from the network where she had built her career. The idea of leaving a familiar place where she was successful made her anxious about what the future held. However, as she began to explore her entrepreneurial side, she realized that she couldn't continue juggling both worlds.

De Laurentiis shared that she felt overwhelmed as she tried to juggle her career, motherhood, and her divorce from Todd Thompson, which was announced in December 2020.

She explained, "About two and a half years ago, I decided to focus more on Giadzy, my lifestyle brand. I still do some TV work through a deal with Amazon, but it's not as hectic as before."

De Laurentiis was asked by Minkoff if she missed being on the Food Network. She responded by saying, “No, I should say yes.”

She went on to explain, “I believe it's because I was exhausted. I had worked tirelessly for a long time. I became exhausted and couldn't find a new, exciting direction. I need something to excite me. I easily grow bored. And if I'm feeling bored, then my audience must be feeling the same way.”

Giada De Laurentiis Left Food Network Due to Burn Out

Giada De Laurentiis. Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for NYCWFF

Reflecting on her time with the network, De Laurentiis mentioned how she would change her focus every seven years without realizing it. For instance, she hosted Everyday Italian for seven years before deciding to step back when she became pregnant. She saw this as an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to the show, considering herself a different person at that stage. (De Laurentiis has a 16-year-old daughter named Jade with Thompson.)

During her time with the network, De Laurentiis felt fortunate to have the freedom to share her ideas and suggestions for her projects. She believed that the network was more open to collaborating with talent like herself because the industry landscape was still evolving and exploring new possibilities.

De Laurentiis first joined the Food Network in 2002 with her show Everyday Italian. Since then, she has hosted several other shows such as Giada’s Weekend Getaways, Giada at Home, Giada Entertains, Giada’s Holiday Handbook, and Giada in Italy. Additionally, she also served as a mentor on The Next Food Network Star.

In 2023, De Laurentiis announced her departure from the Food Network. A spokesperson for the network released a statement to address her exit to the public.

In February 2023, it was said that Giada De Laurentiis is like culinary royalty. For almost twenty years, she has been teaching people how to say all kinds of pasta names correctly. The Food Network expressed their pride in the wonderful content they have made with her. They also mentioned that there will always be a place for Giada at their table.

Editor's P/S:

tiis's decision to leave the Food Network after two decades of success highlights the challenges of balancing personal and professional life. Her desire to explore new opportunities and focus on her lifestyle brand, Giadzy, while navigating motherhood and divorce, is a relatable struggle. De Laurentiis's honesty about her exhaustion and need for excitement resonates with many who have faced similar crossroads in their careers.

Her reflection on the evolution of the Food Network landscape over the years also provides valuable insights. As the industry continues to innovate and adapt, it's essential for talent to find platforms that align with their growth and aspirations. De Laurentiis's decision to step back and explore new possibilities serves as a reminder that even the most successful individuals need to re-evaluate their priorities and make changes to foster continued growth and fulfillment.