Valerie Bertinelli left ‘really hurt’ after being axed from Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship over ‘budget cuts’ following nine years as host

Valerie Bertinelli revealed her surprise departure from Food Network and the show she hosted, Kids Baking Championship, in an Instagram story post.

The 63-year-old actress had hosted the Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship since 2015, although she was unable to strike a deal to return.

The One Day at a Time star was in talks to return as host, though a source told People that her return was “absolutely discussed” but her team “decided they wanted more and talks stalled.”

She added that the last season she filmed was during her “peak year of hell,” which included her divorce from Tom Vitale.

Another source added: “Her deal expired and (Food Network) chose not to renew. They didn’t make a new offer, but Valerie really wanted to continue.”

Now, Bertinelli took to the Instagram Story on Saturday and stated that “budget cuts” were the reason she wasn’t returning as host alongside Duff Goldman.

The 63-year-old actress had hosted the Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship since 2015, although she was unable to strike a deal to return.

“I’ve been avoiding facing what I got validation for last night, and I didn’t want to talk about it last night because I wanted to sleep on it, but it really hurt my feelings,” she began.

‘I know that logically it shouldn’t be. “I know it’s just business, budget cuts, but it really hurt my feelings to know I won’t be asked back,” she admitted.

“Without sounding like a drama queen, the show saved my life,” Bertinelli said, adding that it was “like a flotation device” in what she described as her “peak year of hell.”

“So it really hurts that I can’t go back and see everyone and say, ‘Hey, I made it,'” she said, adding, “It really sucks.”

She added that she shot the episodes currently airing on Food Network “in the summer of 2022, which was my peak year from hell.”

“I sat through it and pretended everything was fine because that’s what you do, and without sounding like a drama queen, the show saved my life,” she said.

“It just helped me to work with all these great people and feel productive and know that I had spread some kindness and not just be wallowing in hell and trying to keep my head above water. It was like a flotation device,” she said.

“So it really hurts that I can’t go back and see everyone and say, ‘Hey, I got through it,'” she added.

“I’ve been avoiding facing what I got validation for last night, and I didn’t want to talk about it last night because I wanted to sleep on it, but it really hurt my feelings,” she began

‘I know that logically it shouldn’t be. “I know it’s just business, budget cuts, but it really hurt my feelings to know I won’t be asked back,” she admitted.

“Without sounding like a drama queen, the show saved my life,” Bertinelli said, adding that it was “like a flotation device” in what she described as her “peak year of hell.”

She said she was “very sad” that she couldn’t “tell everyone what they mean to me, Les and Duff and that camera crew, that sound crew, the art department, the back kitchen crew, oh my God These people work so hard to give you a to put on a great show’

She won two Daytime Emmy Awards for hosting the show, and from 2015 to 2023 she also hosted Valerie’s Home Cooking

She said she was “very sad” that she couldn’t “tell everyone what they mean to me, Les and Duff and that camera crew, that sound crew, the art department, the back kitchen crew, oh my God these people work so hard to give you a to put on a great show.’

‘And all those young bakers that I have seen grow up, I feel so happy, and for all the bakers who are coming for the new season, even though I won’t be there, I will be with you in spirit and I want you this remembers: you are there for a reason. You guys are some of the best bakers in America right now, and if you don’t make it to the next round, always remember this: It’s not because you’re a bad baker, you just had a bad day, so always, always believe in yourself.’

“Please do that for me and keep baking. I will miss you,” Bertinelli concluded.

She won two Daytime Emmy Awards for hosting the show, and from 2015 to 2023 she also hosted Valerie’s Home Cooking.