Boxing Legend Laila Ali referees kitchen battles as real chef rivalries boil over
Boxing legend Laila Ali is trading her boxing gloves for a chef’s apron as she takes on hosting duties for Food Network’s explosive new series, Chef Grudge Match. This high-stakes culinary competition sees top chefs from around the world battle it out to settle long-standing feuds and bitter rivalries. From sous chefs who’ve been wronged by their bosses to restaurateurs defending their businesses from copycats, these culinary professionals put their prized knives and reputations on the line for a chance to win $10,000 cash, their rival’s most treasured knife, and ultimate bragging rights.
The series premieres on Tuesday, 19 August 2025 at 17:00 CAT on Food Network (DStv channel 175) and will be available for streaming on DStv’s Catch Up service. “I’m thrilled to be joining the Food Network family,” said Ali. “As someone who’s always been passionate about both competition and delicious food, Chef Grudge Match is the perfect fit. From the ring to the kitchen, I’ve never shied away from a challenge and now I get to have fun while bringing that same intensity to a show where culinary rivalries are settled once and for all!”
The premiere episode features Gabe Bertaccini, a Food Network favourite who has harboured a 15-year grudge against his protégé, Tyler Romine, who left Gabe’s catering business with only three days’ notice. The second match showcases Taylor Frankel from Vail, Colorado, who has a bone to pick with her former Sous chef, Maria Busato, after she opened a rival catering company in the same small town.
Throughout the eight-episode season, viewers can expect heated battles over business disputes, recipe rivalries, student-teacher conflicts, and even husband versus wife showdowns, all taking place in front of a live studio audience with the electric atmosphere of a boxing match.
Resident judge Jet Tila is joined by an impressive lineup of guest judges throughout the season, including Eric Adjepong, Maneet Chauhan, Adrienne Cheatham, Tiffani Faison, Stephanie Izard, Eddie Jackson, Chris Oh, and Claudette Zepeda.
“With reputations and livelihoods on the line, competition in the food world has heightened stakes which have produced legendary grudges and rivalries,” said Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food, Warner Bros. Discovery. “Chef Grudge Match brings these grievances to a head in front of a studio audience, with all the energy of a live boxing match, and Laila Ali is the perfect ringmaster to oversee these battles for ultimate bragging rights.”
Chef Grudge Match premieres on Food Network Africa on Tuesday, 19 August @ 17:00 CAT on DStv channel 175 and GOtv channel 104 (Kenya, Malawi) and 404 (Uganda).