Season 4, Episode 12

Secret Life of... Cafeterias

It might be one of your earliest memories of childhood, and it’s regarded as the first form of American fast food. Whether it’s meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, or chicken pot pie, you need no permission to help yourself. So, get a tray and get in line as host Jim O’Connor visits the cafeteria.

See Tune-In Times

Previous Episode

Secret Life of... Garlic

Secret Life of... Salt

On TV

What's New

Meet the Chefs Competing on Ciao House, Season 2 12 Photos

Meet the Chefs Competing on Chopped Battle Italiano 17 Photos

Meet the Bakers Competing on Next Baking Master: Paris 11 Photos

Meet the Chefs Competing in the All-New 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing 25 Photos

Get an Insider’s Look at the Premiere of 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing 15 Photos

24 All-Star Recipes from Michael Symon and Esther Choi, the Hosts of 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing 25 Photos

By: Sofia Bazant

Meet the Competitors of Spring Baking Championship Season 10 13 Photos

Meet the Chefs Competing on Tournament of Champions, Season 5: The Qualifiers 17 Photos

Meet the Chefs Competing on Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions, Season 5 28 Photos

11 Food Hacks and Facts I Learned From Guy’s Grocery Games 12 Photos

By: Alyse Whitney

Worst Cooks in America, Season 27: Meet the Recruits 17 Photos

By: Sofia Bazant

Meet the Competitors of Kids Baking Championship, Season 12 13 Photos

Chopped: Julia Child’s Kitchen — Meet the Competitors 16 Photos

By: Sofia Bazant

Behind the Scenes of Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays 21 Photos

By: Sofia Bazant

Meet the Teams Competing on The Elf on the Shelf: Sweet Showdown 7 Photos

Guy's Grocery Games: Flavortown Academy — Meet the Competitors 8 Photos

By: Sofia Bazant

Meet the Competitors of Holiday Baking Championship, Season 10 13 Photos

Meet the Teams Competing on Holiday Wars, Season 5 12 Photos

Meet the Contestants of Outrageous Pumpkins, Season 4 9 Photos

Halloween Baking Championship Season 9: Meet the Competitors 13 Photos

Meet the Teams Competing on Halloween Wars, Season 13 10 Photos

Meet the Titans and Chefs Competing on Bobby's Triple Threat, Season 2 15 Photos

Worst Cooks in America, Season 26: Meet the Recruits 17 Photos

Meet the Chefs Competing on Chopped: All-American Showdown 17 Photos

Meet the Grill Masters Competing on BBQ Brawl, Season 4 13 Photos

Meet the Teams from The Great Food Truck Race: Season 16 10 Photos

Meet the Competitors on Beachside Brawl, Season 2 11 Photos

Meet the Bakers Competing on Summer Baking Championship 11 Photos

Meet the Chefs Competing on Ciao House 11 Photos

Meet the Celebrity Guests on Fast Foodies 11 Photos

Latest Stories

Selena Gomez Takes Her Culinary Journey to the Next Level in All-New Series Selena + Restaurant Apr 1, 2024

10 American Bakers Say Bonjour to All-New Pastry Competition, Next Baking Master: Paris Mar 27, 2024

Guy Fieri Recruits Noah Cappe and an Elite Bite Club to Find the Best Bite in Town on All-New Series Apr 17, 2024

24 Chefs Face 24 Challenges in 24 Straight Hours on All-New Series 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing Apr 17, 2024

Fill Out Your Tournament of Champions, Season 5 Bracket NOW! Feb 15, 2024

Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions Season 5 Brings Intense Culinary Battles, Randomizer Wild Cards and Unpredictable Upsets Jan 22, 2024

By: Maria Russo

Tiffany Derry Joins Anne Burrell to Mentor Pampered Cooking Disasters Dec 6, 2023

Selena Gomez Doesn't Drink Coffee — Here's What She Drinks Instead Dec 5, 2023

‘Tis the Season of Holiday Wish Lists and Watch Lists Nov 29, 2023

By: Sofia Bazant

Food Network Chefs Are Spending the Holidays in Selena Gomez’s Kitchen Dec 5, 2023

Talented Chefs Embrace the Legacy of Julia Child in New Chopped Tournament Nov 13, 2023

We're Unwrapping Holiday Magic with All-New Series The Elf on the Shelf: Sweet Showdown Dec 13, 2023

Selena Gomez Invites Four Culinary Superstars to Her Home in Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays Nov 29, 2023

Treat Yourself to the Ultimate Creepy Watchlist Sep 20, 2023

By: Sofia Bazant

Scary Good Things to Watch This Month Sep 7, 2023

Franco Noriega Turns Up the Heat with Sizzling Recipes on Hot Dish with Franco Oct 27, 2023

Eight Culinary All Stars Face Off in Flavortown Aug 9, 2023

The Winners are Back in Flavortown Aug 2, 2023

By: Sofia Bazant

Forecasting Unpredictable Flavors in Flavortown Jul 18, 2023

By: Sofia Bazant

Skilled Chefs Face Off in a Nostalgic Showdown on All-New Series Battle of the Decades Hosted by Jonathan Bennett Sep 19, 2023

Next Up in Flavortown Cafeteria: Tostada Tuesday Jun 22, 2023

By: Sofia Bazant

Sledding Into Flavortown’s Coldest Competition Yet Jun 29, 2023

By: Sofia Bazant

The Great Food Truck Race Returns with Food Truck Pros vs Talented Rookies May 11, 2023

Baking Championships Heat Up with New Summertime Competition Apr 5, 2023

Fearless Military Chefs Take Their Skills to the Chopped Kitchen Mar 16, 2023

Fill Out Your Tournament of Champions, Season 4 Bracket NOW! Feb 13, 2023

By: Maria Russo

Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions Returns for Its Wildest, Most Unpredictable Season Yet Jan 19, 2024

Sun, Sand, Eats and Drinks: SOBEWFF 2023 Returns Jan 9, 2023

Food Network and NFL Team Up For An All-New Primetime Event Nov 28, 2022

Chef Kathy Fang Innovates Chinese Cuisine While Honoring Longtime Family Traditions in New Docuseries Chef Dynasty: House of Fang Nov 16, 2022