Boxing champion Laila Ali jumps into the ring as host of Food Network's 'Chef Grudge Match'

Where culinary rivals battle to settle old scores

√ Series premieres Tuesday, Aug. 12

Food Network Press Release

Boxing champion Laila Ali is stepping into the ring once again, this time to host Food Network’s “Chef Grudge Match,” a single-round, winner-take-all culinary battle where elite chefs come to settle longstanding disputes and bitter rivalries. From employees who have been wronged by their boss to restaurateurs defending their livelihoods from copycats, competing culinary pros put their favorite knives, and egos, on the line in a bid to put old scores to bed.

Each episode features two head-to-head battles where resident judge Jet Tila welcomes a guest judge to help determine who walks out with $10,000 cash, the losing chef's most coveted knife and bragging rights for life. The series premieres Tuesday, Aug. 12 (9 p.m. ET/PT), on Food Network, and streams next day on HBO Max.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Food Network family,” Ali said. “As someone who’s always been passionate about both competition and delicious food, ‘Chef Grudge Match’ is the perfect fit. From the ring to the kitchen, I’ve never shied away from a challenge – and now I get to have fun while bringing that same intensity to a show where culinary rivalries are settled once and for all!”

In the premiere episode, host Ali welcomes Gabe Bertaccini, a Food Network favorite who has been holding a grudge for 15 years against his prodigy, Tyler Romine, who quit Gabe’s catering business with only three days’ notice. And in the second match, Taylor Frankel, of Vail, Colorado, has a grievance with her former sous chef, Maria Busato, after she opened a rival catering company in the same small town. 

Across the eight-episode season, battles will be fought over business and recipe rivalries, between students and teachers, and even husband vs. wife, with each match an all-out brawl to settle these grudges once and for all.

Guest judges joining the action across the season include Eric Adjepong, Maneet Chauhan, Adrienne Cheatham, Tiffani Faison, Stephanie Izard, Eddie Jackson, Chris Oh and Claudette Zepeda.

“With reputations and livelihoods on the line, competition in the food world has heightened stakes, which have produced legendary grudges and rivalries,” said Betsy Ayala, head of content, food, Warner Bros. Discovery. “ ‘Chef Grudge Match’ brings these grievances to a head in front of a studio audience, with all the energy of a live boxing match, and Laila Ali is the perfect ringmaster to oversee these battles for ultimate bragging rights.”

Stay up to date on the latest “Chef Grudge Match” news and more on www.FoodNetwork.com. Follow along with the competition and culinary rivalries on social media using #ChefGrudgeMatch.

Ali is an undefeated boxing world champion, home chef, wellness advocate, TV host, powerhouse speaker, and the founder of the Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand. As the youngest daughter of global icon and humanitarian Muhammad Ali, Laila proudly carries forward a legacy of excellence, purpose and impact – building her own path as a fierce competitor and trusted voice in wellness and living with purpose. With a record of 24 wins (21 by knockout) and zero losses, she is a five-time boxing world champion who made history as the first woman to provide expert boxing commentary during the 2012 Olympic Games.

In 2022, Ali was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in recognition of her impact on the sport. In addition to hosting “Chef Grudge Match,” she is a two-time “Chopped” champion, and guest hosted “Beat Bobby Flay” among other Food Network appearances. She co-hosted the revival of “American Gladiators,” was a panelist on “We Need to Talk,” and hosted Emmy Award-winning “Home Made Simple,” “All-In With Laila Ali” and “Everyday Health.”

She is also the author of “Reach: Finding Strength, Spirit, and Personal Power,” and bestselling cookbook, “Food for Life: Delicious & Healthy Comfort Food from My Table to Yours!”

“Chef Grudge Match” is produced by Knuckle Sandwich and Lando Entertainment for Food Network.