Valerie Bertinelli Discusses Her ‘Kids Baking Championship’ Exit and New Host Confidence

Valerie Bertinelli Opens Up About Departure from Kids Baking Championship

In a recent heartfelt discussion, Valerie Bertinelli shared her thoughts on leaving the Kids Baking Championship, expressing gratitude for the show’s future under Kardea Brown’s leadership. The 64-year-old star appeared alongside Drew Barrymore on The Drew Barrymore Show on November 4, where they both showed admiration for one another.

“Val, you were the host of Kids Baking Championship,” Drew remarked as she introduced Valerie. The Golden Globe winner responded, “It’s now in excellent hands.” During the segment, Kardea, 36, demonstrated how to make fish tacos, a recipe she was taught by Valerie, leading to playful banter between the two.

Valerie’s departure came as a surprise to many after she announced she wouldn’t return for the new season due to budget cuts at The Food Network. Reflecting on her emotions, she shared a video in January, stating, “I wanted to sleep on it because it really hurt my feelings, and I know it’s not supposed to. Logically, I know that it’s business, budget cuts, right? But it really hurt my feelings.”

In that same video, she reminisced about her eight years with the show, saying, “These people work so hard to give you an amazing show. And all of those kids bakers that I got to watch grow up: I feel so lucky.” Valerie took a moment to encourage new contestants, reminding them that any setbacks should not define their skills as bakers.

The day after her announcement, Valerie revealed on social media that she hadn’t been in discussions with the network about renewing her contract. She indicated her sense of being left out when she realized she wasn’t included in the holiday specials and noted, “I got a text by a third party on Friday that told me I would not be back. LOL I was basically ghosted.”

Her manager later confirmed this decision, stating in an interview, “Her deal expired, they opted not to renew it. They could have come to me with an offer just for Kids. They never did. Simple as that.”

Kardea was introduced as the new host of Kids Baking Championship in October and expressed her excitement about taking on the role. “I look forward to celebrating the holidays with fans and these talented bakers, big and small, and all their incredible creations,” she stated.

In this transition, Valerie Bertinelli has expressed her fondness for the show and the young bakers, leaving behind a legacy while looking forward to new beginnings.