Katie Lee Biegel is an Emmy-nominated Food Network host, chef, author and podcaster with 40 seasons of The Kitchen and one successful, organic, zero-sugar wine label under her belt. The West Virginian chef attributes her culinary skills and appreciation for fresh, seasonal ingredients to her Grandma Dora and infuses her signature Southern flavors into her recipes every chance she gets. She began as an original co-host on The Kitchen in 2014 and continues to serve as a judge and host on Food Network favorites like Beat Bobby Flay and Halloween Baking Championship.

History and Background

Katie was born and raised in West Virginia. She grew up in a tight-knit Southern family that punctuated each day with a comforting, home-cooked meal. Katie discovered her passion for cooking at just 4 years old while spending time with her Grandma Dora in her kitchen. During her early childhood years, Katie gained an appreciation for seasonal ingredients, as she used fresh vegetables from her grandfather’s garden and meat from the family’s cattle and pig farm for her culinary creations.

After high school, Katie packed her bags and headed to Oxford, Ohio, where she attended Miami University. She studied food science and journalism at MU, and, in a Cherry Bombe podcast interview with Kerry Diamond, Katie shares how one unlikely, but iconic, television series starring Sarah Jessica Parker shaped her career aspirations during that time.

“I was in college, and it was around the time that food was really becoming part of pop culture. I was reading Gourmet, I was reading Bon Appétit, and Food & Wine, and starting to watch Food on TV as well. I was a journalism major, and I thought, 'Well, what if I could write about food?' This was also the heyday of Sex and the City. I had this dream of coming to New York. I actually enrolled in culinary school in New York, which I ended up not going. But I had this dream of having a column and writing about food.”

In 2003, Katie graduated from Miami University with an impressive double degree in journalism and English.

Katie joined forces with Aleishall Girard two years later and launched a gourmet food blog. The blog was active for one year, but the creative project proved to be time well spent as it led to an influx of professional opportunities. Most notably? Katie’s television debut as the inaugural host of Bravo’s Top Chef in 2006.

Padma Lakshmi replaced Katie after just one season, but she continued to pursue her culinary dreams. Katie leaned on her writing background and published two top-rated cookbooks: The Comfort Table in April 2008 and The Comfort Table: Recipes for Everyday Occasions in October 2009. Following the success of her cookbooks, Katie went on to publish her novel, Groundswell, in 2011, while working as a food and lifestyle contributor for notable outlets and publications.

Katie faced an uphill battle getting back on TV, but she never took no for an answer. After seven years trying to snag a spot on Food Network, Katie was finally called in to audition for a hosting role on The Kitchen. And, after over a decade on our screens, it’s safe to say she nailed it.

Family Life

Katie splits her time between New York City and the Hamptons with her husband, Ryan Biegel, their daughter, Iris, and their rescue pup, Gus.

Katie's Food Network Shows

The Southern-born chef is a Food Network staple, appearing as a judge and host on countless programs since she began her Emmy-nominated role as co-host of The Kitchen in 2014. Noteworthy moments include her time guest-judging Beat Bobby Flay and joining the regular judges' table on Halloween Baking Championship.

The Kitchen

Katie is one of the original co-hosts of The Kitchen and has been an integral part of the show since it debuted on January 4, 2014. Katie contributed countless healthy, flavorful and easy to re-create recipes on set over the last 40 seasons of the iconic show. Fun fact: Katie received a 2017 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host for her role on this show.

Beat Bobby Flay

Katie has put her culinary expertise to work as a judge on Beat Bobby Flay several times throughout the years. “Bobby Flay has become a great mentor to me,” she says. “He’s one of my very best friends and kind of like a big brother, and I always feel like I can go to him for any kind of advice.”

Girl Scout Cookie Championship

Katie joined Nacho Aguirre as a permanent judge on the Girl Scout Cookie Championship, hosted by Alyson Hannigan. She tasted the bakers’ inventive, cookie-derived creations and helped decide which tasty treat deserves the badge of honor as Girl Scout Cookie Champion.

Halloween Baking Championship

Katie is a recurring judge on Halloween Baking Championship alongside fellow Food Network favorites Carla Hall and Zac Young.

Chopped Junior

Katie joined Chris Santos and Alan Thicke to judge young culinary stars on Chopped Junior, Season 3.

Katie's Wine Line

Katie partnered with Jordan and Adam Sagar to launch Kind of Wild wines. The global collection features 10 certified organic, zero-sugar, low-calorie and additive-free wines. In other words? This vino is formulated to ensure you won’t wake up with a pounding headache after enjoying one glass with dinner. Kind of Wild offers a bottle for every palate, featuring staple selections like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay alongside Syrah-Grenache Rosé, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo D.O.C. and Skin-Fermented Grenache Blanc. “This is the wine I want to drink, that I serve at home when entertaining, and I believe everyone who tries it will feel the same,” Katie says.

Katie's Podcast

Between her gigs at Food Network, spending time with her family, co-founding a wine label and supporting her philanthropic pursuits, Katie somehow manages to host a weekly Dear Media podcast. All on the Table With Katie Lee Biegel invites listeners into cozy conversations between Katie and her star-studded guests to discuss all of her favorite topics: food, family, wellness and daily routines. Fresh episodes drop every Thursday.

Katie's Books

Katie is a successful author with two cookbooks and one novel to her name. She published her first cookbook, The Comfort Table, in April 2008, then released The Comfort Table: Recipes for Everyday Occasions the year following.

Fun Facts

• Her birthday is September 14, making her a Virgo.
• Her daughter, Iris, is also a Virgo!
• She tied the knot on Italy’s iconic Amalfi Coast.
• Her Grandma Dora is her ultimate culinary idol.
• She detests wasabi.
• Her debut novel, Groundswell, was turned into a Hallmark movie starring Lacey Chabert and Ektor Rivera.
• She’s a global brand ambassador for Revlon and has appeared in several beauty and hair campaigns over the years.
• The weirdest thing in her purse? Hot sauce. "I carry around packets of hot sauce. When that Beyoncé song [“Formation”] came out and she said, 'Hot sauce in [my] bag swag,' I was like: 'Yep! I got mine.'"

Katie's Philanthropic Work

Katie is passionate about giving back to her community and is involved in several charitable foundations. Along with her active role as a board member for the Food Bank for New York City, Katie has worked with the Wildlife Conservation Society and served as an ambassador for 96 Elephants.

Katie's Recipes