Valerie Bertinelli Talks Transition From Acting To Becoming A Food Network Star

Think about it—if you're old enough, the name Valerie Bertinelli probably conjures up memories of her as Barbara Cooper from the classic sitcom One Day at a Time. For another generation, Valerie's the beloved Melanie Moretti from Hot in Cleveland, alongside Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick, and Betty White. But today, there's a whole new fanbase recognizing her as a star of the Food Network, thanks to shows like Kids Baking, Valerie's Home Cooking, and the exciting new Family Food Showdown.

Valerie's Evolution from Actress to Food Network Personality

Valerie Bertinelli recently opened up about her career shift during a Food Network TCA winter tour session. "It's wild," she admitted. "I don't get asked about Barbara Cooper anymore. Not even Melanie Moretti. Now people come up to me and say, 'Oh, I saw your show—you made it look so easy to make that dish.' And I'm like, 'Wow, I'm really a Food Network personality now!' It's incredible. People get that I have a true passion for this, and I absolutely love it. Back in the day, people would question whether I could transition from comedy to drama, and then it was the other way around. Now, I don't think I'd even take an acting role because I've become such a big part of this network, and I couldn't be happier with that."

Why Valerie Embraces Her New Role

It’s clear that Valerie isn’t just okay with this new chapter of her career—she’s downright thrilled. "I adore acting," she emphasized, "but let's face it, there aren’t a ton of roles out there for a 58- or 59-year-old woman. And I’ve been cooking for far longer than I’ve been acting, so being able to share something I’ve loved for so long with others is an incredible gift. The Food Network is a station that's always been on in my house, even before I became part of their family. To now be a part of it, and to have everyone excited about what I get to do on the network, is truly a dream come true."

Courtney White, President of Food Network, described Family Food Showdown like this: "Valerie takes center stage, leading the action where heritage, pride, and unique family dynamics are the main ingredients. She challenges each family's cooking skills, recipes, and teamwork. In every episode, she throws curveballs at contestants as they race against the clock for the winning title."

Valerie’s Creative Control Behind the Scenes

For Valerie, one of the most appealing aspects of her current projects is the creative control she enjoys. "Oh, hell yeah!" she exclaimed during the TCA discussion. "It’s absolutely more rewarding. I get to collaborate with an amazing group of people—culinary experts who truly know their craft. Every day, I’m learning something new. Just like in acting, when I worked alongside legends like Jane, Wendie, and, of course, the incomparable Betty White, you absorb so much from the people around you. The Food Network has an incredible culinary production team behind the scenes. I’ve worked with many of them on shows like Beat Bobby Flay, Kids Baking, and my own Valerie's Home Cooking. It’s like my own personal cooking school, and it’s such a blast. I’m already cooking at home, so being able to share that with others is even better."