Kardea Brown Reveals Valerie Bertinelli’s ‘Rite of Passage’ Before Taking Over as a Host onKids Baking Championship(Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Kardea Brown and Valerie Bertinelli.Photo:Food Network; Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

Food Network; Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

Kardea Brownwrapped up her first season co-hostingKids Baking Championship,but it started whenValerie Bertinelliwrapped her in a hug.The Food Network stars united atThe Drew Barrymore Showon Nov. 4, but before the cameras were rolling theDelicious Miss Brownhostand theHot in Clevelandactress had an even sweeter exchange behind the scenes.“We saw one another backstage, and she was in the hair and makeup chair, and I was coming in right behind her. And she turned around, she was like, ‘Oh my God, you.’ And she gave me the biggest hug,” Brown recalled to PEOPLE. “She did say, ‘The kids are wonderful. The staff is wonderful. You’re going to have a great time. This show is definitely in capable hands.’ That was her exact words.”The Southern-born chef continued, describing the conversation as a “rite of passage.”“She’s, ‘It’s all you.’ [I have] nothing but great things to say,” she continued.Hosts Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown.Food NetworkIt was announced thatBrown would take over for Bertinellias the Food Network series’ co-host on Oct. 2. TheIndulgecookbook author had co-hostedKids Baking ChampionshipwithDuff Goldmansince it premiered in 2015.Brown and Goldman have shared the stage several times forKids Baking Championshipspecials and other baking shows, likeSpring Baking Championship, but season 13, airing now, was their first time co-starring on the Emmy-nominated series.Kardea Brown.Food NetworkWhen asked about working with Goldman, who Brown called a “great teacher” and “great friend, theWay Homeauthor recalled his words of wisdom: “‘Just silence the chatter. Just silence everything. Just do you. You’re so wonderful,’” she said. “Gosh, he’s been champion of mine, and I really do appreciate him.”The newest iteration of the youth-focused series,Kids Baking Championship: Amazing Animals,invites some furry, feathered and finned friends to the kitchen who brought their own tricks to the series — Brown detailed a “sort of panic attack” she had while holding a cockatoo named Chicken. Beyond the animal visitors in different episodes, the 12 juvenile bakers are tasked with animal-inspired challenges over 10 episodes. Similarly to previous seasons, the crowned kid will get $25,000 and a feature inFood Network Magazine.Kardea Brown and Duff Goldman smile with season 13 contestants.Food NetworkBrown, who previously worked in social work and education, said that working with the contestants was “a blast” but that she was brought to tears several times throughout the process.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I cried a lot this season,” she said with a laugh, explaining that it was typically when the kids were frustrated. “That brings me to tears, that they want to do well and they want to impress everyone. It’s a lot, and so it gets me emotional. And plus, I’m a crier anyway.”But, of course, the season is more smiles than tears, Brown clarified. “It’s all about the kids and fostering their talents and their dreams and giving them a space just to be creatives,” she said. “I’m just really excited about this season.”New episodes ofKids Baking Championship: Amazing Animalsair Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on Food Network.

Kardea Brownwrapped up her first season co-hostingKids Baking Championship,but it started whenValerie Bertinelliwrapped her in a hug.

The Food Network stars united atThe Drew Barrymore Showon Nov. 4, but before the cameras were rolling theDelicious Miss Brownhostand theHot in Clevelandactress had an even sweeter exchange behind the scenes.

“We saw one another backstage, and she was in the hair and makeup chair, and I was coming in right behind her. And she turned around, she was like, ‘Oh my God, you.’ And she gave me the biggest hug,” Brown recalled to PEOPLE. “She did say, ‘The kids are wonderful. The staff is wonderful. You’re going to have a great time. This show is definitely in capable hands.’ That was her exact words.”The Southern-born chef continued, describing the conversation as a “rite of passage.”

“She’s, ‘It’s all you.’ [I have] nothing but great things to say,” she continued.

Hosts Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown.Food Network

Food Network

It was announced thatBrown would take over for Bertinellias the Food Network series’ co-host on Oct. 2. TheIndulgecookbook author had co-hostedKids Baking ChampionshipwithDuff Goldmansince it premiered in 2015.

Brown and Goldman have shared the stage several times forKids Baking Championshipspecials and other baking shows, likeSpring Baking Championship, but season 13, airing now, was their first time co-starring on the Emmy-nominated series.

Kardea Brown.Food Network

When asked about working with Goldman, who Brown called a “great teacher” and “great friend, theWay Homeauthor recalled his words of wisdom: “‘Just silence the chatter. Just silence everything. Just do you. You’re so wonderful,’” she said. “Gosh, he’s been champion of mine, and I really do appreciate him.”

The newest iteration of the youth-focused series,Kids Baking Championship: Amazing Animals,invites some furry, feathered and finned friends to the kitchen who brought their own tricks to the series — Brown detailed a “sort of panic attack” she had while holding a cockatoo named Chicken. Beyond the animal visitors in different episodes, the 12 juvenile bakers are tasked with animal-inspired challenges over 10 episodes. Similarly to previous seasons, the crowned kid will get $25,000 and a feature inFood Network Magazine.

Kardea Brown and Duff Goldman smile with season 13 contestants.Food Network

Brown, who previously worked in social work and education, said that working with the contestants was “a blast” but that she was brought to tears several times throughout the process.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I cried a lot this season,” she said with a laugh, explaining that it was typically when the kids were frustrated. “That brings me to tears, that they want to do well and they want to impress everyone. It’s a lot, and so it gets me emotional. And plus, I’m a crier anyway.”

But, of course, the season is more smiles than tears, Brown clarified. “It’s all about the kids and fostering their talents and their dreams and giving them a space just to be creatives,” she said. “I’m just really excited about this season.”

New episodes ofKids Baking Championship: Amazing Animalsair Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on Food Network.

source: people.com