Octavia Spencer Reveals How Being Non-Cooking Benefits Her as a Hostess
Octavia Spencer, best known for her roles in movies like “Ma,” is now taking on a new challenge as a co-host on the TV show “Family Recipe Showdown.” The show, filmed in New Orleans, brings together family recipes, Southern cooking, and celebrity guests in a friendly competition for a chance to win $10,000. Spencer teams up with Edgar “Dook” Chase, a fourth-generation chef from the iconic Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, to taste-test the dishes created by competing relatives.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Spencer and Chase express their excitement about the show and the unique cultural flavors of New Orleans. Spencer reminisces about her college days in the vibrant city, noting its European vibe with a Southern charm. She credits the special connection to New Orleans and working with Chase as feeling just right.
Despite not being a fan of cooking, Spencer confidently claims her role as a “taste expert” on the show. Learning alongside viewers, she embraces the opportunity to ask beginner-friendly questions and share in the culinary journey. Each episode features three sets of home-cooks preparing Southern-style dishes, with the top two moving on to a final round where they put their twist on a family recipe shared by a celebrity guest judge.
The dynamic duos on the show range from grandmothers and grandsons to sisters and mother-in-laws, creating entertaining challenges in each 60-minute episode. Adding to the excitement, celebrity guests like Reese Witherspoon and Jessica Chastain join the show to taste the dishes and pick their favorites.
If you’re curious to see how these family recipes stack up, tune in to “Family Recipe Showdown” on Food Network and HBO Max. The episodes promise a blend of culture, cuisine, and star-studded surprises in a fun-filled cooking competition.
