Food Network Unveils the 2026 Hot List Celebrating Rising Culinary Stars Shaping Today’s Food Trends
Food Network today revealed the 2026 Hot List, spotlighting the breakthrough culinary voices, innovators and trendsetters making their mark in the food content space and redefining how audiences cook, create, and connect through food. This year’s lineup features a bold mix of rising talent whose viral content is captivating fans across social platforms everywhere. Each honoree brings a unique culinary point of view and a passion for inspiring food lovers. With a combined fan base of more than ninety million, these Hot Listers are making an impact far beyond the food they create - from fighting childhood hunger to uplifting audiences with inspiring messages, they are driving meaningful change for the better.
“Every year, we look forward to unveiling Food Network’s Hot List and introducing fans to the exceptional class of talent making waves in the culinary space and reminding us how food connects communities,” said Karen Bronzo, Chief Global Marketing Officer, US Networks & News, Warner Bros. Discovery. “With the power of Food Network’s brand and the dynamic content from these chefs and creators, the Hot List is also an impactful marketing tool, with last year’s viral campaign generating 34 million impressions.”
A prolific group of content creators working across a variety of mediums and platforms, the 2026 Food Network Hot List members include: chef and former kid cooking competitor Alessandra Ciuffo, chef and MasterChef finalist Nick DiGiovanni, self-taught chef and cookbook author Lorenzo Espada, award-winning BBQ Pitmaster and motivational speaker Rashad Jones, restaurateur and New York Times best-selling author Henry ‘Salt Hank’ Laporte, baker and blogger Zoha Malik, chef and culinary explorer Michael Tchao, chef and New York Times best-selling author Cassie Yeung, chef and social advocate Tini Younger, and chefs and partners Hailee Catalano & Chuck Cruz.
Beginning tomorrow, Food Network will spotlight one new Hot List star a day on its social platforms including including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X including original videos, expert “Hot Tips,” favorite recipes, and exclusive Q&As. Fans can follow along using #FNHotList to meet the full roster of culinary standouts making their mark in 2026.
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Food Network is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers' best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 58 million U.S. households with a social footprint of 77 million, while Food Network Magazine reaches 14.3 million readers. Food Network is part of Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products which also include: Discovery Channel, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, HGTV, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Film Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.