Valerie Bertinelli slams Food Network after firing: ‘It’s sad it’s not about cooking and learning any longer’

Samantha Ibrahim
·3 min read
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Valerie bertinelli
Valerie bertinelli
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Valerie Bertinelli isn’t a foodie anymore.

The 63-year-old “Hot in Cleveland” alum expressed her annoyance over Food Network’s recent slew of content, saying that the channel is no longer about cooking.

She shared her thoughts on Threads Tuesday, blasting the network months after they fired her from hosting the series “Kids Baking Championship.”

Bertinelli also appeared as a judge on “Food Network Star.” Getty Images for NYCWFF
Bertinelli also appeared as a judge on “Food Network Star.” Getty Images for NYCWFF

“I fell in love with Food Network two decades ago because of all the amazing ITK (in the kitchen) shows. 30-minute meals, Ina [Garten], Giada [De Laurentiis] … the list goes on,” Bertinelli penned.

The “Touched By an Angel” star added: “I learned so much. It’s sad it’s not about cooking and learning any longer. Oh well, that’s just business, folks.”

Fans in Bertinelli’s comments agreed with her, noting that Food Network has become more polluted with cooking rivalry shows rather than at-home-style instructive series.

“I am tired of the cooking competitions. So repetitive and egotistical. When they kicked Alex off the Kitchen… I watch Pioneer Woman, ‘Girl Meets Farm’ and ‘Mary Makes If Easy’ because there are recipes. Refreshing,” someone scoffed.

The actress expressed her disappointment at Food Network on Threads. Valerie Bertinelli/Threads
The actress expressed her disappointment at Food Network on Threads. Valerie Bertinelli/Threads

Another person chimed in: “I still watch ‘The Kitchen,’ but that’s it. I don’t want to see only competitions. I want to learn about cooking.”

Others suggested that Bertinelli pitch her own food-centered show to other TV channels around the programming block.

“Girl… The Food Network isn’t the only game in town. Pitch your own show, your way. You’re Valerie effin’ Bertinelli!!! Have home cooking,” one gushed. “America loves you!”

The TV personality previously hosted “Valerie’s Home Cooking” on the Food Network from 2015 to 2023.

Bertinelli hosted “Kids Baking Competition” for 12 seasons. Rob Pryce
Bertinelli hosted “Kids Baking Competition” for 12 seasons. Rob Pryce

She later appeared as a judge on “Kids Baking Championship” and “Food Network Star.”

For the baking competition show, she had been at the helm since 2015. However, in January, Bertinelli revealed that she was canned due to budget issues.

“I’ve been avoiding facing what I got confirmation last night and I didn’t want to talk about it last night [because] I wanted to sleep on it because it really hurt my feelings,” she sorrowfully explained on Instagram earlier this year.

The TV personality previously was at the helm of her own show, “Valerie’s Home Cooking,” on the Food Network from 2015 until 2023.
The TV personality previously was at the helm of her own show, “Valerie’s Home Cooking,” on the Food Network from 2015 until 2023.

“I know it’s not supposed to. Logically, I know it’s business [and] budget cuts, right? But it really hurt my feelings to know that I’m not going to be asked back to be on ‘Kids Baking Championship.’”

She then noted that “the show saved my life” following her “apex year of hell.”

Bertinelli, who was previously married to Eddie Van Halen in 2020, filed for divorce from ex-husband Tom Vitale in 2022.

“I was going through it and pretending everything was just fine. Because that’s what you do! And without sounding like a drama queen, the show saved my life,” she said, adding that she filmed her last episode in summer 2022.