Food Network Obsessed – Details, episodes & analysis

Chef, restaurateur, and Food Network favorite Esther Choi returns to the pod to catch up on a massive new chapter of life: Motherhood. Esther opens up about her debut cookbook, and her new Food Network YouTube series, Cooking with Choi.  

Esther dives into her upcoming cookbook, Hand Taste: Cook Like a Korean Grandmother, why kimchi was non-negotiable for the book, and what readers can expect from the recipes. Plus, she talks about finally getting to live out a lifelong dream: teaching people how to cook on screen with her new series Cooking with Choi. 

And later, Esther breaks down the chaos of co-hosting 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, what it’s like surviving 36 straight hours on set, why chefs are lining up to compete in one of Food Network’s toughest competitions, and what really separates the last chef standing from everyone else 

• Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE 
• Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE 
• Follow Esther on Instagram: HERE 
• Learn More about Cooking with Choi: HERE 
• Learn More about Food Network 24 in 24: HERE 

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Chef Mei Lin returns to the pod to talk about her Beverly Hills restaurant 88 Club, where nostalgic Chinese flavors meet a moody dining room and serious vibes. She shares how dishes like shrimp toast and Namu chicken connect to her childhood and why this chapter of her cooking feels more personal and unapologetic than ever. 

Mei also dives into festival cooking, Lunar New Year collaborations, and the energy of live food events before opening up about her newest role as a judge on Tournament of Champions. She talks blind judging, missing the adrenaline of competing, and how social media trends are starting to show up on competition plates. 

Follow Food Network on Instagram: HERE 

Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: HERE 

Follow the Mei Lin on Instagram: HERE 

Learn More about TOC: HERE

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James Beard Award-winning chef, southern pitmaster, restaurateur and judge on BBQ Brawl, Rodney Scott dishes on his secret sauce to success. He unpacks how his craft was born out of a middle school basketball rivalry and the weekly family tradition of cooking whole hogs that he inherited. From backyard cookouts feeding his big family to neighborhood feasts, he remembers lighting up the grill and watching people appear, like moths to a flame. Rodney passionately breaks down the meticulous, strenuous and dangerous 12-hour process of preparing the pig, explaining how he uses each of his senses to cook them to perfection. He reflects on the summer school class that inspired him to turn his passion into a profitable business that has evolved into six locations and earned several awards. Rodney reveals what makes the literal heavy lifting all worth it, cherishing the important relationships he’s built with customers, and taking their feedback to heart. He breaks down what makes BBQ a universal crowd pleaser, then dives into his time on BBQ Brawl as a Season 2 judge, and the different environmental elements the new season in California introduced. Rodney defines the three types of grillmasters and spills what it takes to become the Master of the Q. Finally he reveals the most surprising thing he’s seen on a grill, the inspiring advice he gives children and his favorite southern phrase, before detailing his perfect food day.

Find episode transcripts here:  https://food-network-obsessed.simplecast.com/episodes/rodney-scott-on-pitmaster-tips-bbq-brawl

Follow Food Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodnetwork

Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymeesire

Follow Rodney Scott on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/0aqn0jimg9gtz38/_saved/

Follow Rodney Scott’s BBQ on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rodneyscottsbbq

Follow Rodney Scott on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pitmasterrodneyscott/?hl=en

Rodney Scott’s Barbecue on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rodneyscottsbbq/

Learn more about BBQ Brawl: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/bbq-brawl-flay-v-symon

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Chef Eddie Jackson returns to update listeners on what he’s been up to for the past few years and how his new show, Outchef’d, came about. Eddie describes what it’s like to trick home chefs into thinking they are at an audition when really, they are going to have to cook against a world-renowned chef. He reveals some of the craziest reactions on the show and what it’s really like to go out in the streets to scout for their judging panel. Eddie talks about the Food Network chef that was the most intense and competitive this season and how live music and good brews are faring at his beer garden this summer. Jaymee and Eddie share a laugh over whether Eddie is the new leading man of the network and what upcoming projects he is looking forward to. 

Find episode transcripts here: https://food-network-obsessed.simplecast.com/episodes/eddie-jackson-is-back-with-outchefd-bts

Follow Food Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodnetwork

Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymeesire

Follow Eddie Jackson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefeddiejackson/

Learn More About OutChef’d: 

https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/outchefd

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Private chef Natalia Rosario shares her experience starring in and winning the first season of Ciao House. Natalia reflects on an injury that threatened her culinary career, revealing why she now considers it one of the best things to happen to her. She compares her time working in a Michelin-Star restaurant to her current role, as a private chef. The Chicago resident dishes on behind-the-scenes moments, spilling what really went on behind closed doors in the emotional house she lived in among eliminated contestants. Determined to represent Tuscan culture in her dishes, she reveals her approach to marrying her Latin roots with traditional Italian fare throughout the competition. Natalia covers valuable things she learned while cooking in Tuscany, from Nonna's generational rolling pins to the proper use of sunflowers in the kitchen. Then she unpacks her finale plates and experience going head-to-head with Saba, emphasizing that the heat of the competition couldn’t diminish the respect the two women have for each other. Finally, the winner dishes on what’s next in her career, sharing excitement about her highly-anticipated Ciao House prize: the opportunity to train with world-renowned chefs in Italy.

Follow Food Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodnetwork

Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymeesire

Follow Natalia Rosario on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nataliarosariio/

Follow Natalia Rosario on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliarosario_

Follow Natalia Rosario on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliaboa/

Learn more about Ciao House: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/ciao-house

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Father, chef, restaurateur and Beachside Brawl West Coast Captain Brian Malarkey talks about his many titles and how his cowboy upbringing influenced his style of cooking. He shares early memories of wrangling, befriending and serving cattle for supper as a child on a hundred acre ranch. Brian reveals the unique way he rebelled and how growing up everything from TV dinners to fine dining shaped his cooking style. He reflects on the moment his father put his future into perspective, steering him away from acting and towards his culinary passion. Then, Brian pinpoints the experience that led him to view cooking as an art form and what makes his fifteen San Diego concepts each wildly different. He describes his entrepreneurial spirit, plans to open his newest and first eatery in Oregon with his brother, and the influence location has on his menus. Brian shares the sound of a successful restaurant and how he’s elevated his craft. He parallels his roles of father, Captain and entrepreneur, and reveals the thing no one warns new parents about. Brian takes fans inside his series, Beachside Brawl, and compares east and west coast cooking. Then he dishes on Guy’s Grocery Games, from favorite off-camera moments to on-screen bloopers, and why the host nicknamed him “Shenanigans.” Finally, Brian opens up about his charitable olive oil line and reveals what’s on the menu for his perfect food day.

Find episode transcripts here: https://food-network-obsessed.simplecast.com/episodes/brian-malarkey-on-chef-shenanigans-entrepreneurial-endeavors

Follow Food Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodnetwork

Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymeesire

Check Out Brian Malarkey’s Website: https://www.brianmalarkey.com/

Check Out Brian’s Olive Oil Website: https://chefslife.com/

Follow Brian Malarkey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianMalarkey

Follow Brian Malarkey on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefslife.co

Follow Brian Malarkey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianmalarkey/

Learn More About Beachside Brawl:

https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/beachside-brawl

Learn More about Guy’s Grocery Games: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/guys-grocery-games

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Film noir virtuoso, mixologist and writer Eddie Muller sets the stage for his lifelong passion of storytelling and cultural conversations. The San Francisco-born renaissance man reflects on changes the city has experienced before his eyes, from a blue collar small town to an art-inspired explosion of creativity. He reveals his and his wife’s secret to finding the perfect eatery and their favorite cocktail bar. Eddie opens up about the film that sparked his love for film noir and compelled him to explore the shadowy genre. He explains the important impact European filmmakers had on Hollywood when they emigrated to the states, defining the crucial themes and timeless qualities of the distinct genre. He covers interesting truths about the world’s eagerness for a darker, more relatable genre and how it has influenced different countries and generations. Eddie shares the significant role cocktails and lounges have in society and film, revealing a few personal stories about strangers turned close friends over drinks. The former bartender and forever mixologist opens up about his inspiration, intent and process of creating his cocktail book. He teases the self-invented and film inspired cocktails readers can find in his book along with insightful stories about their origin films’ writers, movie treatment and main characters. Then Eddie reveals his biggest pet peeve and the wrong way to order a drink. He shares his favorite recipe, go-to theater snack and best writing advice. Finally, he rates his cooking skills and unpacks his “death house meal” with delicious drink pairings.

Find episode transcripts here: https://food-network-obsessed.simplecast.com/episodes/eddie-muller-on-california-cocktails-and-contemporary-film-noir

Follow Food Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodnetwork

Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymeesire

Check Out Eddie Muller’s Website: https://www.eddiemuller.com/

Follow Eddie Muller on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EddieMuller

Follow Eddie Muller on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/eddie_muller8591/

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James Beard Award-nominee, chef and cookbook author Lee Anne Wong introduces listeners to her restaurant, Koko Head Cafe. She shares what inspired her to launch the concept in Tokyo and Honolulu and the destinations’ appeal. The New York native spills unique challenges and advantages that come with running businesses in Hawaii and Japan. Then, she reflects on her unexpected family reunion while filming Top Chef on the island. She spills the personal reason she relocated and favorite moments from her 20+ years of experience competing on television. The proud mom shares valuable lessons she teaches her son while watching her shows together and favorite dishes to make with him. Determined to positively impact the environment, Lee Anne explains the key to filling her menus with locally sourced ingredients and the power of fresh food produced by humans who live and work in the area. She addresses ecological issues that importing ingredients cause and the lingering economic impact of the pandemic on her industry, offering an insightful take on inflated prices. She reveals her favorite local foods, goals for her guests’ experience and the reason she does it all. Post-Covid, numbed taste buds and concerning news from her doctor, Lee Anne shares how her diet has recently changed and what she’d put on her menu to have a perfect day of food.

Find episode transcripts here: https://food-network-obsessed.simplecast.com/episodes/lee-anne-wong-on-her-hyper-local-approach-to-hawaiian-cuisine

Follow Food Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodnetwork

Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymeesire

Check Out Lee Anne Wong’s Website: https://www.papaainamaui.com/

Follow Lee Anne Wong on Twitter: https://twitter.com/leeannewong?lang=en

Follow Lee Anne Wong on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papaainamaui/

Follow Lee Anne Wong on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leeannewong/featured

Learn More About The Next Iron Chef: https://www.foodnetwork.com/search/top-chef-/SHOW_FACET:The%20Next%20Iron%20Chef

Learn More About Alex vs. America: https://www.foodnetwork.com/search/alex-vs-america-

Learn More About Guy’s Ranch Kitchen: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/guys-ranch-kitchen  

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Critically-acclaimed pastry chef Paola Velez shares the interesting story of her opera scholarship and the moment she knew she wanted to dive into baking full-time. Paola talks about her many accolades over the years and shares her biggest fear when it comes to success. She shares the story behind creating the world’s largest bake sale and why social justice initiatives, like Bakers Against Racism, are so vital to her. Paola shares the process of developing her first cookbook and how it encompasses her Dominican heritage and Latin American influences. She describes what it means to be a Millenial Chef Aunty and why she is excited about this generation of chefs and bakers in the industry. Paola reveals the flavor combinations she is experimenting with and what it was like to work with Zooey Deschanel on her show, “What am I Eating?”. 

Find episode transcripts here: https://food-network-obsessed.simplecast.com/episodes/paola-velez-bakes-up-dominican-sweets-social-justice

Follow Food Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodnetwork

Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymeesire

Follow Paola Velez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallorchids/

Follow Paola Velez on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@smallorchids

Learn More About Bakers Against Racism: https://www.bakersagainstracism.com/

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Harvard graduate, entrepreneur and chef, Nick DiGiovanni dishes on his plans to break his ninth Guinness World Record. The philanthropist reflects on his favorite one yet, a wholesome holiday donation that made a massive impact. Nick shares what led him to create the first-ever sustainable food major at his Ivy League school. While crafting curriculums with professors, working on his senior thesis and interning for a Michelin star restaurant, he became a viral content creator. Nick nonchalantly explains how he juggled it all, and compares cooking in the prestigious San Francisco kitchen to his experience learning to cook from his grandparents. He reflects on his biggest takeaways, surprises and achievements competing on Master Chef and becoming the youngest guest to place third on the show. Then he shares how his business background helps him manage his cookbook, warehouse, spice company and content teams. He explains his intentions for and favorite recipes in his soon-to-be-released cookbook and his involvement with charitable organizations like Farmlink. Finally, he tells fans what he has planned next, the best and worst parts of being a content creator and what’s on the menu for his perfect food day. 

Find episode transcripts here: https://food-network-obsessed.simplecast.com/episodes/nick-digiovanni-harvard-grad-turned-viral-chef

Follow Food Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodnetwork

Follow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymeesire

Check Out Nick DiGiovanni’s Website: https://www.nickdigiovanni.com/

Follow Nick DiGiovanni on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickDiGiovanni

Follow Nick DiGiovanni on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nick.digiovanni/

Follow Nick DiGiovanni on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMyOj6fhvKFMjxUCp3b_3gA

Follow Nick DiGiovanni on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nick.digiovanni

Learn More About Master Chef: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/food-network-challenge/episodes/master-chefs

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