Giada De Laurentiis Says She Doesn't Miss The Food Network & Left Because She Was 'Bored' (2024)

"I couldn't see a path that was exciting anymore."

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Giada De Laurentiis Says She Doesn't Miss The Food Network & Left Because She Was 'Bored' (1)Giada De Laurentiis Says She Doesn't Miss The Food Network & Left Because She Was 'Bored' (2)

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After 21 years with Food Network, Giada De Laurentiis announced her departure from the channel in February 2023. She almost simultaneously launched her next venture: an e-commerce site and pasta line.

At the time, the television personality said her exit from the network was due to a "rebirth" in her career and what she "really want[ed] to do." But now De Laurentiis is getting deeper about her decision.

"It took a while for me to make this decision because I was very fearful of leaving Food Network," she told Rebecca Minkoff on an episode of the designer's podcast, Superwomen, according to Us Weekly. "Because when you’re a big fish in that pond and then you get out, who knows what’s gonna happen next? But I really started to become interested in the entrepreneurial sort of journey. And I realized I couldn’t do both."

De Laurentiis admitted that it "felt like the world was crumbling" as she navigated her career, raised her daughter, and grappled with divorce. Ultimately, she decided to leave her life at Food Network behind to focus on new ventures.

"So about two and a half years ago, I finally was like, 'OK, I’m gonna make the jump, and I’m gonna put my energy in Giadzy," she said, referring to her lifestyle brand. "I’ll still do TV. I have a deal with Amazon, so I still do a little bit of that, but it’s definitely not the schedule I used to keep. Definitely not."

The Giadzy founder admits that she was "burnt out" after over two decades at Food Network.

"I really worked so hard for so long," she said. "I got burnt out and I couldn't see a path that was exciting anymore. I need excitement. I get bored. And if I'm getting bored, my viewers are getting bored."

When asked if she missed Food Network, De Laurentiis candidly replied, "No. I know, I should say yes."

However, she did admit to feeling "lucky enough" to be at the channel when they were really willing to hear her voice and take her suggestions. "The landscape hadn't really been fully discovered yet, and so I think they were just more open to the talent."

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Giada De Laurentiis Says She Doesn't Miss The Food Network & Left Because She Was 'Bored' (2024)

FAQs

Does Giada really eat? ›

In 2014, De Laurentiis' representatives disputed the claims on the star's behalf that she never ate, calling them "absurd and completely false." They did confirm, however, that she sometimes tossed food because multiple tapings would have meant six to eight meals per day, Page Six reported.

Where did Giada get her money? ›

She gained her following from Food Network.

She has since appeared on a multitude of other specials and spin-offs on the Food Network including Giada at Home, Bobby and Giada in Italy, Iron Chef America, and Giada on the Beach. She also served as a judge on Food Network Star for many years.

How much does Giada de Laurentiis make? ›

What is Giada De Laurentiis' Net Worth? Her net worth was estimated to be $30 million as of 2024, according to Parade. The majority of the money is from her cooking shows on the Food Network, and the rest is from her businesses, restaurants, cookbooks, cameos, and brand partnerships.

Who is Giada married to now? ›

Personal life. On May 25, 2003, De Laurentiis married Todd Thompson, a fashion designer. The couple's only child, Jade Marie De Laurentiis-Thompson, was born on March 29, 2008.

Has Bobby Flay slept with Giada? ›

Well, we're really good friends. We've worked for many years together, but I don't think that's ever going to happen because I'm smarter than that." What sounded like a bit of a dig to Flay is actually her own personal romance philosophy of never dating a fellow chef.

How did Giada lose her brother? ›

The chef opened up for The Cut's "How I Get It Done" column, and she revealed that her main source of inspiration came from a terrible family loss. As People reports, De Laurentiis lost her brother, Dino Alexander De Laurentiis, in 2003 to melanoma, and it changed the way that she lives her life.

What happened to Giada De Laurentiis? ›

Giada De Laurentiis, 53, is revealing why she walked away from Food Network after 21 years as its star, citing burnout as a reason. “I would switch gears without knowing it every seven years,” the TV host and chef said on the recent episode of Rebecca Minkoff's “Superwomen” podcast.

Does Giada have a culinary degree? ›

After graduating from UCLA with a degree in Anthropology, Giada's passion for cooking remained. She made the decision to commence a culinary career, and trained professionally at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, specializing in both cuisine and pastry.

Who is the richest chef in the world? ›

Alan Wong takes the top spot as the world's wealthiest chef by a long shot, with a jaw-dropping estimated net worth of $1.1 billion (£870m). Wong is best known as the co-founder of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, a company set up to showcase Hawaii's locally grown ingredients and diverse culinary styles.

Does Giada have a new house? ›

The Italian American chef loves spending time in her gorgeous kitchen or hanging out in her cozy living room with her daughter, Jade Thompson. Giada moved into her new California home in October 2021, a private haven with gorgeous decor. Giada sold her other Pacific Palisades home in December 2019 for $7 million.

What does Giada's sister do? ›

Where does Giada at home live? ›

Giada De Laurentiis moved into her Pacific Palisades bungalow after two years of renovations. Take a tour of her gorgeous home.

Does Giada De Laurentiis have veneers? ›

She has, like, a tiny gap between No. 10 and 11. Natural teeth, no veneers.

How do chefs stay so thin? ›

The key to a healthful diet is to eat meals at regular times." Chef Odette, for example, unlike many chefs whose frig is empty, always keeps homemade soups in small, ready to heat, portions in her freezer, "This way I know I always have something delicious and healthy waiting for me at home after a long day of work," ...

What kind of food does Giada cook? ›

Giada de Laurentiis, Everyday Italian Chef. Giada de Laurentiis, of the Food Network's Everyday Italian fame, is well known for her presenting her simple Italian dishes in a way that speaks to home cooks. Her modern food point of view tweaks recipes appropriately for today's health-conscious and serious home cooks.

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