Valerie Bertinelli Says She’s ‘Not Bashing’ Food Network

Valerie Bertinelli has no hate towards Food Network.

The Indulge cookbook author posted on X on Wednesday, April 17 to clarify her comments on how the network lacks in-the-kitchen shows.

“I fell in love with Food Network two decades ago because of all the amazing ITK (in the kitchen) shows,” Bertinelli, 63, previously said on Threads, adding specific shout-outs to Rachael Ray, Ina Garten and Giada De Laurentiis. “I learned so much. It’s sad it’s not about cooking and learning any longer. Oh well, that’s just business, folks.”

Bertinelli starred in 14 seasons of Valerie’s Home Cooking before the series was canceled in 2023. She appeared in her last episode of Kids Baking Championship in February 2024.

An X user, @donnelly_j96822, posed this question about her: “Valerie spent years on the Food Network mostly judging cooking competitions with the exception of one show where she cooked. Now that she wasn’t asked back, she has an issue with the networks current love of cooking competition shows. Is that fair?”

Bertinelli was quick to respond, saying she had the “same opinions” when she still worked at Food Network. “This isn’t something new,” she said on X. “I’m also not bashing food network by saying I wish there were more actual cooking shows. I will always be very grateful that I was able to work for them for seven years.”

In an interview with PEOPLE for her cover story, Bertinelli said her feelings were hurt by the situation but, “I know it’s business. I just really loved my job — loved, loved my job.”

She continues to share her passion for cooking in her new book, Indulge (out now). “I wanted to write about forgiveness and joy and finding the sweetness in life,” she said.