Superchef Grudge Matchis officiallycoming back toFood Networkwith boxing legendMuhammad Ali’sdaughter,Laila Ali,taking over as the host. The show’srevamped third seasonis titledChef Grudge Matchand features professional chefs going against each other in an intense culinary battle tosettle personal rivalries and long-standing disputes.
Each episode shows two chefs competing in asingle-round, winner-take-all showdownwith a $10,000 cash prize at stake along with the losing chef’s most coveted knife. Some of theseason’s biggest matchupsincludeGabe Bertaccinivs.Tyler Rominewith a 15-year-old feud to settle, along withTaylor Frankelvs.Maria BusatoandDamaris Phillipsvs.Coby Ming,each with their own issues to put to rest.
Ali shared her excitement about joining the Food Network family, callingChef Grudge Matchthe perfect fit for her love of great food and fierce competition. “From the ring to the kitchen, I’ve never shied away from a challenge,” she shared in a statement toVariety. According to Warner Bros. Discovery head of food content,Betsy Ayala,Ali is the “perfect ringmaster”to oversee the battles on the show. The guest judges forChef Grudge MatchSeason 3 includeEric Adjepong, Maneet Chauhan, Tiffani Faison,alongside resident judge,Jet Tila.
Former ‘Superchef Grudge Match’ Host Darnell Ferguson Takes a Plea Deal in Assault Case
The news comes shortly after the formerSuperchef Grudge Matchhost andfive-time contestanton Food Network’sTournament of Champions,Darnell Fergusonentered a plea agreement in his assault case. As reported byWHAS 11, Ferguson was arrested in January 2024 on seven criminal charges, includingburglary, strangulation, terroristic threatening, assaultand more.
The Food Network Is Quietly Turning Into a Game Show Channel
Whisks out, timers on.
Authorities were first alerted after Ferguson illegally entered the home of his estranged wife, Tatahda Ferguson, and threatened to kill her. The former Food Network hostallegedly strangled his wifeuntil she passed out. However, in astatementgiven to the press, Tatahda, who shares eight children with the chef, claimed that she had called the police in the heat of the moment, and that the authorities had twisted her words.“I was never in any physical danger,”added Tatahda.
While Ferguson’s case wasscheduled to go to trial in May, the chef reached a plea settlement with the prosecutors.WLKYreports that several of his charges were lowered as part of the deal. The former host was sentenced to 12 months for criminal mischief but the time was “conditionally discharged for two years”and Ferguson does not have to serve time unless he commits anothercriminal offenseduring the period.
Chef Grudge Matchpremieres August 12 onFood Networkand streams on Max the next day.
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