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Kardea recently replaced Carla Hall as a judge on Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship and received a slew of backlash over itCredit: Food Network
Kardea took over for longtime judge Carla Hall in Season 12 of the Food Network series, and she’s making the same move for Next Gen, replacing Valerie Bertinelli as the show’s host.

While the series is new, premiering on January 5th, Duff and Valerie co-hosted the original show, Kids Baking Championship, from its start in 2015 until Season 12, which was filmed in 2022.

Duff went on to praise Kardea as his new co-host and again urged viewers to refrain from posting negative remarks on social media.

“Now my co-host is @kardeabrown and she is wonderful. She is warm, kind, and empathetic and the kids love her. She’s a great baker and a positive mentor for the kids,” boasted the Ace of Cakes star.

“Let’s all remember to be kind. We are real people with real emotions and having to read negative comments about yourself isn’t fun for anyone.

“And if you feel the need to make negative comments then maybe take a breath and ask yourself why putting someone down makes you feel better or vindicated or justified or whatever.

Duff continued, “Don’t be lame. Don’t be mean. If you’re not going to watch, that’s your choice. But you don’t need to tell me or Kardea that. We don’t care that you’re not going to watch.

“We care about the kids that we get to bake with. We care about creating a show and an environment that encourages creativity and craft. Don’t ruin that for us by being nasty because events beyond your understanding or control unfolded how they did.

“Stay positive, guys. I love Val. I love Kardea. And I love creating the most positive and creative show on @foodnetwork. Thanks,” he warned in the post.

Valerie announced in January 2024 that she wouldn’t be returning, due to the network’s budget cuts, but Duff revived the concept with the new series, in which teams of young siblings compete for the $25,000 cash prize.

Duff then warned fans to again “be kind” to his new co-host following the barrage of nasty comments Kardea endured for stepping into Carla’s role.

“I’d like everyone to take a deep breath and think about your words,” the professional pastry chef continued while highlighting Valerie’s “warmth and spirit” that she brought to the show.

Duff further addressed Valerie’s departure, saying, “Things happen,” and the “business is crazy,” adding that he isn’t privy to any details about the network’s decision.

The TV personality added that he will continue his friendship with Valerie, whose show, Valerie’s Home Cooking, was also cancelled after she ended her contract with Food Network.

SUPPORTIVE FRIEND

Kardea replied with a heartfelt message to her co-host for sticking up for her after she recently slammed critics for their hateful remarks online.

“Thank you, Duff. I’m so grateful to be part of this show and to support these amazing kids. Valerie’s impact is deeply felt, and I have so much respect for her as well.

“Thank you for always being so supportive……your friendship and support mean more to me than you’ll ever know,” she added.

Valerie shared her approval of Kardea taking over the role after it was announced in October 2024, saying the show was “now in excellent hands.”

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Duff, Kardea, and Nancy Fuller were among the panel for the latest season of Holiday Baking Championship, which wrapped last week with Charles Zimmerman taking the crown.

Duff skipped the finale episode due to “feeling under the weather,” per the show’s host, Jesse Palmer, and Zac Young filled in for him.

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Valerie and Duff co-hosted the original series, Kids Baking Championship, from 2015 until 2022Credit: Getty
 

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Kardea joined the judge’s panel of Holiday Baking Championship for Season 12Credit: © 2025 Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All rights reserv