Valerie Bertinelli Cut From Food Network’s ‘Kids Baking Championship’

Valerie Bertinelli on a kitchen set. (Getty Images | Michael Loccisano)

Valerie Bertinelli opened up about why she will not be returning to the Food Network’s popular “Kids Baking Championship.”

Ms. Bertinelli, 63, shared the news with fans on her Instagram account over the weekend, saying the network made a business decision not to renew her contract, which ended in 2022.

“So, I’ve been avoiding facing ... avoiding facing what I got confirmation for last night and I didn’t want to talk about last night, I wanted to sleep on it because it really hurt my feelings, and I know it’s not supposed to, logically,” she said in a video on Jan. 20.

“I know that it’s business 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.’ It really sucks.”

The “One Day at a Time” actress explained that episodes for season 12, which are currently airing, were filmed in 2022, before her contract expired.

Ms. Bertinelli is a two-time Golden Globe Award-winning actress and author of three cookbooks, including her most recent “Indulge: Delicious and Decadent Dishes to Enjoy and Share,” which drops on April 30.

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The “Kids Baking Championship” is a spinoff of the network’s “Baking Championship” franchise. Ms. Bertinelli has co-hosted the show, along with Duff Goldman, since 2015. The show includes holiday and seasonal competitions, as well.

On Jan. 21, the “Hot in Cleveland” actress clarified on X a misleading “People” headline that claimed she was leaving the show after contract talks “stalled.”

“This is a tad misleading,” Ms. Bertinelli wrote. “There were never any talks, so no talks could be stalled. I got an inkling I might not be asked back when I saw I was not in the holiday specials. I got a text by a third party on Friday that told me I would not be back. LOL I was basically ghosted.”

The Epoch Times has reached out to the Food Network for comment.

Kardea Brown, host of “Delicious Miss Brown,” joined Mr. Goldman to co-host the 2023 “Kids Baking Championship” holiday special. She’s also slated to return for the 2024 holiday special, according to Variety.

It is not yet clear who will host season 13 of the regular series, which has not yet been renewed.

“I have zero ill will toward anyone at FN,” Ms. Bertinelli said in a follow-up post. “I enjoyed every single moment I worked for them, and they are all lovely, hard-working people.

“And I understand business is business,” she said. “But I won’t tolerate lies. I am a lot of things, but I am not greedy, nor am I a liar.”

According to Variety, Ms. Bertinelli had inked a three-year, multi-series deal with the network in 2018. The deal, which expired in 2021, was extended through 2022, which is when seasons 11 and 12 of “Kids Baking Championship” were filmed.

“Her deal expired, they opted not to renew it,” Mark Schwartz, Ms. Bertinelli’s manager, told Variety. “They could have come to me with an offer just for ‘Kids.’ They never did. Simple as that.”

Ms. Bertinelli, who divorced her husband, Tom Vitale, in 2022, said the show had been a lifesaver during that difficult period in her life.

“The episodes that are airing right now, I shot back in the summer of 2022, which was my Apex year of hell, like I was going through it and pretending everything was just fine,” the actress told her social media followers.

“Because that’s what you do. And without sounding like a drama queen, the show saved my life.

“It just, working with all of 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,” she continued.

“It helped me. It was like a flotation device. So, it really hurts that I won’t be able to go back and see everybody and say, ‘Hey, I made it through.’”

Celebrity Fans Respond

Some famous fans of the show, including Khloe Kardashian, responded to Ms. Bertinelli’s news on social media.

“Wait!!! Wait!!!!! I need to sign a petition. I looooove this show and watch it daily. I record it and all,” wrote Ms. Kardashian on Instagram.

“I love you and Duff together, and it will be hard to imagine it without you. The way you are with children is magical. Your understanding and advice to them is key. Duff’s voice is important as well but I think they need you both...  I’m so sorry. This does suck and I understand why your feelings are hurt.”

Mark Hamill also responded to Ms. Bertinelli regarding the news.

“Sorry to hear this. You deserve much better than this,” the Star Wars actor wrote.

Some Thoughts for Future Bakers

Ms. Bertinelli closed her video with sage advice for future child contestants.

“And to all the bakers that are coming in for the new season, even though I won’t be there, I'll be with you in spirit,” she said.  “And I just want you to remember this: You are there for a reason. 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 this: It’s not because you’re not a good baker, you just had a bad day.  So always, always believe in yourself. Please do that for me. And keep baking. I’ll miss you guys.”