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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsValerie Bertinelli said Food Network confirmed she would not be asked back to Kids Baking Championship. She described feeling hurt and said she suspected budget cuts, but the network did not publicly confirm that explanation in the contemporaneous reporting. Calling it a “firing” is therefore shorthand for her reported departure, not a formal description established by the available accounts.
What Valerie Bertinelli said happened
In a social-media video posted on January 20, 2024, Bertinelli said she had confirmation that she would not return to Kids Baking Championship. The Los Angeles Times reported two days later that she said the news hurt her feelings and that she wanted to sleep on it. She remarked, “Logically, I know that it’s business, budget cuts, right?” That was Bertinelli’s speculation—not a stated explanation from Food Network.
How she learned she was not returning
Bertinelli later said she began to suspect she would be absent when she was not included in holiday specials. She said a third party texted her on a Friday to tell her she would not be back. In remarks reported by the Los Angeles Times, she said, “I was basically ghosted.” The newspaper said Food Network representatives did not respond to its request for comment at the time.
What is known about the decision—and what is not
The public accounts establish that Bertinelli said she was not asked back. They do not establish that Food Network formally described the decision as a firing, or provide an on-record network explanation for it. Her reference to budget cuts should be understood as her own guess.
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A later account adds contract context without supplying a public explanation from the network. In January 2026, TV Insider reported that Bertinelli’s overall Food Network deal ended in 2022 and was not renewed. It said the deal began in 2018, was extended beyond its original end date, and covered her filming Seasons 11 and 12. The article attributed the contract details to Variety and quoted Bertinelli’s manager saying Food Network did not offer a separate deal for Kids Baking Championship. That is reported background, not a network statement about the rationale for her departure.
Why the show mattered to Bertinelli
Bertinelli and Duff Goldman had cohosted the competition since its 2015 premiere. The episodes airing when she spoke in January 2024 had been filmed in 2022, during a period she described as exceptionally difficult. She said the crew and contestants helped her stay productive and spread kindness, and called the show “a flotation device.” TVLine reported her comments about the season and the show’s importance to her.
The series has presented its hosts as more than announcers. In a historical Food Network feature focused on Season 3, the hosts are described as mentors and judges who watched challenges and critiqued contestants’ work. They could encourage a child who was struggling, but could not instruct contestants during a challenge. That feature describes the format at the time and should not be taken as a current production guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who joined Duff Goldman after Bertinelli?
TV Insider reported in January 2026 that Kardea Brown joined Goldman as cohost for Season 13. This is later secondary reporting; it identifies the reported lineup for that season, not necessarily the hosts of any subsequent season.
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- Book - baking class: 50 fun recipes kids will love to bake (cooking class)
- Language: english
- Binding: other
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