Posted in: Max, streaming, TV, YouTube | Tagged: Food Network, kids baking championship, Valerie Bertinelli

Kids Baking Championship: Valerie Bertinelli Not Returning (VIDEO)

In a video posted on social media, Food Network's Kids Baking Championship host Valerie Bertinelli confirmed that she will not be returning.

Published Sun, 21 Jan 2024 17:35:11 -0600

by Ray Flook

Last updated Mon, 22 Jan 2024 15:20:53 -0600

Comments

Article Summary

Valerie Bertinelli confirms departure from 'Kids Baking Championship' due to budget cuts.
Co-host Duff Goldman to continue without Valerie in the upcoming Season 13.
Bertinelli reflects on how the show provided solace during personal hardships.
Expresses support for new and past contestants, urging them to keep baking proud.

While we're still a few rounds away from knowing who will walk away the winner at the end of Food Network's Kids Baking Championship Season 12, we already have an unfortunate spoiler for the 13th season & the series' future. After having hosted & served as a judge on the competition series alongside Duff Goldman since it premiered in 2015, Valerie Bertinelli confirmed that she wouldn't be returning – fallout from the network's budget cuts. "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," shared Bertinelli in an Instagram video that was posted over the weekend. "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' really sucks."

Bertinelli shared how working on the series helped her deal with the pain from a divorce that she was going through. "Working with all those really wonderful people and feeling productive and knowing I could spread some kindness and not just wallow in my hell and just try to keep my head above water. It helped me; it was like a flotation device." But when it comes to the young bakers who are taking the challenge now and will continue to pursue their baking dream in the future, Bertinelli wanted them to know that they should continue racing for their star.

"Oh my God, these people work so hard to give you an amazing show," she shared. "And all of those kids bakers that I got to watch grow up: I feel so lucky. And to all the bakers [who] are coming in for the new season, even though I won't be there, I'll be with you in spirit. I just want you to remember this: You are there for a reason [and] you're some of the best bakers in America right now, and if you don't make it to the next round, please always remember [that] it's not because you're not a good baker, you just had a bad day." Here's a look at Bertinelli's video message: