Since its debut in January 2014, The Kitchen has become one of Food Network’s most dependable weekend staples. The show built its charm on a rotating panel of beloved chefs and culinary personalities — Jeff Mauro, Katie Lee Biegel, Sunny Anderson, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Geoffrey Zakarian. Each chef brought their own flavor and flair to the mix. Over the years, the cooking series carved out a sweet spot between talk-show energy and hands-on cooking demos. Every episode featured approachable recipes, insider kitchen hacks and good natured banter that made viewers feel like they were simply hanging out with friends who happened to be world-class cooks.
After more than a decade on air and over 500 episodes, The Kitchen has secured its place as one of Food Network’s longest-running shows. But recently, fans are growing concerned about the future of the show. With several hosts stepping away and rumors swirling online, longtime viewers are starting to wonder: Is The Kitchen being cancelled?
Before getting into the show’s fate, here’s a look at why fans are bracing for the possibility of an abrupt ending.
Why did Sonny Anderson leave ‘The Kitchen’?
Sunny Anderson has been one of the standout personalities on The Kitchen since the very beginning. Fans instantly connected with her humor, bold flavors, and vibrant on-screen energy. Over the years, she became a true fan favorite thanks to her playful banter and easy chemistry with the rest of the hosts. But, to be clear, Sunny Anderson has not left The Kitchen.
Anderson has always juggled her work on the show with other Food Network projects, including Supermarket Stakeout. While she hasn’t released any kind of formal farewell or hinted at an exit, it’s clear that her presence would be deeply missed if she ever decided to move on. However, since she remains an active member of the Food Network family, fans will still be able to enjoy her signature humor and hosting style on other shows if The Kitchen wraps.
Why did Marcella leave ‘The Kitchen’?
Marcela Valladolid’s departure marked one of the earliest major cast shake-ups on The Kitchen. As part of the show’s original lineup, the Mexican-American chef helped define its multicultural flavor and warm, inclusive vibe. But, after four years and 182 episodes, she announced in October 2017 that she would be stepping away from the series, per Mashed. Unlike many TV exits, she was upfront with fans about the reason for her departure.
In an Instagram post, Valladolid explained that family and geography played the biggest roles in her decision. Filming in New York simply didn’t fit her life as a “West Coast gurl with a West Coast family.” At the time, she was a mother of two living in California, and the monthly cross-country travel became too demanding.
Even though she left The Kitchen, Valladolid has continued to shine as a voice for Latina representation, sharing her culinary talents through television appearances, cookbooks, and a thriving Instagram presence.
Why isn’t Alex Guarnaschelli on ‘The Kitchen’ anymore?
Alex Guarnaschelli joined The Kitchen later on in its run, but she made an immediate impact. She added her sharp wit, bold personality and deep culinary expertise to the mix, adding a fresh dynamic to the show. Aside from her appearance on the show, she remains one of the Food Network’s most visible personalities. She has made her mark on Chopped, Alex vs. America and Supermarket Stakeout.
But in 2024, fans started noticing something unusual. Guarnaschelli was suddenly missing from new episodes, as Mashed reports. Then, things became even more confusing when Food Network quietly removed her photo and profile from the show’s website. This abrupt exit has sparked theories about internal creative shifts or even scheduling conflicts.
Neither the network or Guarnaschelli have issued a formal explanation, leaving viewers to piece together clues from vague social media posts and her absence at certain network events. Through assumptions about thinly veiled social media posts and exclusions from the network’s live events, fans have gathered that the exit may have been tainted by drama. Interestingly enough, she still has made the occasional guest appearance in recent weeks. Yet, to this day there is no way to officially confirm what happened between Guarnaschelli and the network.
Did ‘The Kitchen’ get cancelled?
One thing that has finally become clear about The Kitchen is the direction it’s headed. After months of fan speculation, the Food Network has officially confirmed the news. The Kitchen is ending after an impressive 40 seasons. As E! News reports, the daytime favorite will air its final episode on Dec. 13, 2025. The announcement, which was made on Oct. 20, 2025, marks the beginning of a planned farewell. It’s one that has longtime viewers feeling emotional about saying goodbye.
The network’s recent Instagram post only underscored how much the show has meant to fans and the Food Network family alike.
“We’re immensely grateful to our hosts, crew, guests, and most of all, our loyal viewers for 10+ incredible years,” the caption read. “Thank you for tuning in, cooking along, and being part of our community. Please join us for one final holiday season together in #TheKitchen.”
With that, fans can look forward to a festive final stretch filled with holiday and seasonal episodes. Reruns will always be there whenever viewers need a dose of comfort or a go-to recipe from one of their favorite chefs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where can I watch The Kitchen?
Fans can still watch the series on Food Network long after the series finale airs. It is available to stream on Discovery+, Max and the Food Network app.
Who is the highest-paid chef on Food Network?
Guy Fieri currently holds the title of highest-paid Food Network chef. His multi-year contract, which was signed in 2021, is reportedly worth around $80 million, per Forbes. He has surpassed the likes of the popular Bobby Flay and Gordon Ramsay, solidifying his status as the network’s most bankable star. His widespread appeal, numerous hit shows, and ability to draw loyal audiences have all contributed to his appeal.